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Article of the Month...

 

Independent Educational Evaluations

 

Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE's) are assessments provided by an independent examiner at the expense of a school district. These are almost always performed because of some disagreement the parents of a child have with the evaluation that was conducted by the school district's school psychologist. 

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School district administrators and parents alike must understand that the psychologist conducting these evaluations must be impartial. I have sometimes seen that the IEE provider "takes sides" with either party, depending upon perceived financial benefit. This is not only unethical, but, worse, can lead to misdiagnoses, wrong treatment plans, wrong educational interventions, and general misunderstandings. Before settling on an IEE provider, I suggest that the parent and/or school district administrator interview the evaluator and ask, at minimum, these questions:

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1) What is your educational background and experience in assessing a child like mine?

2) How long have you been working in the field?

3) Do you have now, or have you ever had, any complaints about you to your licensing board? What was the outcome?

4) How many IEE's have you performed?

5) Will you interview parents?

6) Will you review records?

7) Will you interview teacher(s)?

8) Will you observe my child in the school and/or home setting?

9) Are you willing to be flexible in your assessment to accommodate the family's time?

10) Do you have a good knowledge of both clinical diagnosis and of educational law?

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If the administrator or parent is not satisfied, then they should seek another evaluator. Remember--this child is important! You need an examiner who is knowledgeable, current, flexible, and who will tell it like it is.

Background

 

Dr. Koeppel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, a Master of Science degree in counseling, and a Doctorate of Psychology degree in clinical psychology. In addition, he attended a year-long certification program for the California school psychology credential. He has worked within the public school setting as a counselor, school psychologist, behavioral specialist, administrator overseeing school counselors/psychologists/nurses, and as a clinical director for a school-based mental health clinic. In addition, he has worked in a private practice setting, in the hospital setting, in the clinic setting, for the Orange County Department of Mental Health as an assessor and diagnostician, and taught at the university setting. He holds a California credential as a school counselor and as a school psychologist. He also is licensed in California as a psychologist. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the California Association of School Psychologists, the honor society of Chi Sigma Iota, the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, and is a therapy dog handler with Therapy Dogs International as well as volunteering for the National Park Service on the Joshua Tree Search and Rescue Team.

 

Dr. Koeppel has published articles in the periodicals Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases of Children. He has made more than 40 presentations at the local, regional, and state levels in the areas of psychotherapy, collaborative consultation, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, assessment and diagnosis, parenting issues, ADHD, California special education law, behavioral management, behavioral intervention plans, prenatal drug exposure, and other topics.

THE PRACTICE

Services:

 

Services offered are:

  • Assessment of learning, behavioral, and psychological difficulties.

  • Consultations to private practitioners, school districts, interns, and clients,

  • Presentations on various topics including assessment and diagnosis, Austistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, using the self in psycholtherapy, collaborative consultation, and others.

 

 

Fees:

 

Payment is fee-for-services. Clients can petition their own insurance carriers or other payment sources who may or may not cover fees. Payment schedules are offered.

  • Educational/psychological evaluations and independent educational evaluations are generally $3,000-$3,500 depending upon exact services requested.

  • General consultations are $125/hr.

  • Consultations for health care practitioners $80/hr.

  • Presentations are $200/hr.

  • Depositions are $200/hr.

  • Expert witness in court/hearings is $300/hr.

  • Fees are subject to change. Contact me for a current fee schedule.

 

 

Why Choose Me?

 

  • Working in the field of psychology for 30 years, and keep very current in the subject.

  • Learning disabilities assessment practice can be guided by several different techniques, including Cross-Battery Assessment.

  • Keen knowledge of both school district and clinical realms allows for a unique understanding and blending of the two areas.

  • Conclusions, recommendations, and opinions are guided by research-based findings and best practices, not by monetary pressures.

  • No more than one case per month is accepted which allows for thorough assessment, research, and time for each client.

  • Fees are below the average range for the training, expertise, and credentials of the service provider.

 

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