What you have to be willing to do, if that’s what it takes, is pay to get your son evaluated by an accredited institution that can document it, such as a university or a psychiatrist that is certified in it. It may be a few hundred dollars. You can complain and moan that the school system should pay for it, but you are his parent, and it is more important that you get him in a position where he can learn and thrive, not spend valuable time arguing with the school system. Don’t add to his discouragement by letting this get dragged out in the public school process.

The goverment always will fail you, so don’t wait for them! Ask you guidance counselor what options are available to him if you can get his disabilities diagnosed and certified. The school system doesn’t anticipate you carrying the cost of the testing, which in the big scheme of things is what they are trying to avoid as well as the additional therapies. Be willing to give a little to get to your end goal. Don’t let a few hundred dollars get in the way. And above all, do not wait for the government to get in there and fix it for you!

Second, once a child has a diagnosis from the doctor for Bipolar, to get the rest of the ED eligilbity there has to be an impact on his learning at school. He has to be performing below his age level and his cognitive level.

I hope this is helpful. I am an Occupational Therapist that works with special ed kiddos in the elementary schools.

Also, he could qualify to be on a 504 plan if he does not meet the standards for an IEP. Talk to your school principal if need be.