How to Request and Navigate Special Education Testing & Evaluations

How to Request Special Education Testing + What Happens Next
Special Education Boss® Podcast | Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham

Confused about how to get your child tested for special education services? You’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.

In this powerhouse episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, breaks down what every parent, educator, and advocate needs to know about requesting and navigating special education evaluations.

📚 We’re covering:
✅ How to request an FIE (Full Individual Evaluation)
✅ IDEA timelines and eligibility basics
✅ 504 vs. IEP: Which one applies—and when?
✅ What goes into a proper evaluation (academic, speech, OT, behavior, etc.)
✅ How to prepare for the results and advocate for appropriate supports
✅ Writing goals based on data—not feelings
✅ Behavior plans, assistive tech, and related services
✅ Real Q&A from parents and educators just like you

Whether you're new to this journey or knee-deep in evaluations, this training gives you clarity, confidence, and action steps to move forward.

🧠 Want more support? Join The Academy. New training sessions weekly,  250+ hours available now.

📲 Download the free SEA app for access, updates, and community.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.”
—Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [e-mail]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

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