Getting services in UPK

Hi all,
I just got back from pt conferences and DS's teacher mentioned that he is very difficult to understand, and that he has trouble holding a pencil and writing his name and shapes. This is nothing new to me, but I felt like she was strongly hinting at getting him evaluated. He also has some "fixations" that he keeps talking about in class.
So my question is: should I reach out to the school psychologist or should I do this privately? If (and he probably will) he qualifies for services, would he have to be placed in a different class? I really would rather him stay in his class and have the therapists pull him out for services.

Are there any advantages to getting a private evaluation done over one at the school?
Thanks so much for the help, I have so many questions and concerns, especially since his teacher last year didn't mention any of this! I would have gotten him services much sooner! I saw all the red flags but I guess I was in denial...

BTW this is a public school in Queens if that helps with any Qs

Re: Getting services in UPK

There is no advantage in paying out of pocket to get a private eval. If he only needs support he can remain in his current class and get additional services to help him (OT, PT, Speech, Special Ed...) definitely called your district and request evaluations in his areas of weakness. They are free and if he needs services they can be provided at not cost to you through an agency and he can be seen at his current PreK, at home or at the agency's clinic if they have one.

If he needs more support then related services and special Ed teacher can provide or if he needs a more restrictive/structured setting he may need to go to a different school/special Ed PreK.

Getting services in UPK

Dd is in upk this year and just qualified for pt 2x a week. I was only given the option of taking her to an agency for services which is a lot of shuffling. We are hoping to have her fine motor evaluated again soon bc her therapist is concerned as an I. I was told if she qualified for enough services they may put her in a full day program so she could get them at school but with 2 services a week they didn't offer me that.

Re: Getting services in UPK

I wouldn't pay. I would get him evaluated through the district. They always go least restrictive, so the goal would be to keep him in his current class if possible. I believe if his school doesn't have therapists there to pull him out, you could take him privately. I know someone that did this in catholic school. Her son needed OT and speech and she took him after school to a center and it was covered by the district.


Don't be hard on yourself. It's very tough at 3 and 4 to see if they need help. Personally I feel all 3 year olds if evaluated would probably have some sort of issue, speech, OT, you name it. They are growing and learning so much.