Parents:
Will I still be able to be as involved in my student’s accommodation plan as I was in high school?
Likely not. Once a student is 18 years old and in college, they are generally considered an adult, and all services provided by SSD are considered confidential. This means that they cannot be discussed without the student’s written permission. If you are concerned about your student’s accommodations, you are welcome to let us know and we can determine whether it is appropriate to contact the student and/or have you encourage him/her to contact SSD. We always welcome comments and suggestions.
Will you automatically know if my student is having difficulty in his/her classes?
No. Unlike teachers and counselors in high school, we are unable to track student’s progress in every class. While we are happy to assist them when they are having difficulty, we leave it up to the student to request such intervention. As a parent, the best thing you can do is to encourage your son/daughter to maintain contact with SSD before problems arise. However, be aware that some students prefer to go about the process on their own.
We can’t afford to have our student re-evaluated. Are there any other resources?
If your son/daughter is covered on a parent’s insurance plan, the insurance may cover a portion of the testing. However, individual plans vary. Contact your insurance company to determine if any psychoeducational evaluation is covered.
In addition, you may contact your local Department of Rehabilitative Services (DARS) office to determine if your son/daughter is eligible for services through DARS-Rehabilitative Services. If so, DARS may assist with an updated evaluation to determine appropriate vocational goals.
SSD also has information pertaining to financial assistance and a referral list of local providers in several communities around Texas. Some providers may operate on a sliding scale basis and you may contact various providers to ask if they will consider determining fees on a sliding scale or accept a payment plan.
Student Financial Services may be able to help with loans or scholarships that help offset the cost of testing. Contact SSD for more information about these options.
Is a copy of my student’s 504 plan sufficient to establish accommodations?
No. SSD requires a copy of the most recent diagnostic report with specific recommendations. Please refer to the documentation guidelines.
My student has trouble with organization and time management. I am worried about him being able to get to class on time. Will your office make sure he does?
No. This is the student’s responsibility, but we are happy to provide him with resources and information regarding time management and other issues.