Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) on Long Island
Neuropsychological IEEs for Families When School Evaluations Don’t Feel Complete
When a child is struggling in school, families deserve clear answers—not uncertainty, conflicting interpretations, or unanswered questions.
We provide Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) in Long Island, NY for families who feel that school-based testing has not fully explained their child’s learning, attention, emotional, or developmental needs.
Our role is to provide a comprehensive, independent neuropsychological evaluation that brings clarity, confidence, and direction when school results feel incomplete or unclear.
Dr. Courtney Duhning, Psy.D., ABSNP, NCSP
Board-Certified Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Serving families across Long Island
When Families Seek an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Many families come to us after going through the school evaluation process and still feeling uncertain.
Common concerns include:
“The school said everything is fine, but I know something is wrong.”
“My child is still struggling despite supports.”
“The evaluation didn’t match what we see at home.”
“We don’t feel we have a full explanation of the difficulties.”
An IEE provides a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning.
What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation?
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment completed outside of the school system to provide an independent perspective on a student’s needs.
IEEs are often used to:
clarify eligibility for special education services
support IEP or 504 Plan development
provide additional diagnostic information
inform school placement and academic planning
better understand learning, attention, or emotional challenges
Why a comprehensive dysgraphia evaluation matters
A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation for dysgraphia on Long Island looks beyond surface-level writing performance.
It examines the underlying skills that support writing, including:
fine motor and visual-motor integration
language and expressive skills
executive functioning (planning, organization)
memory and processing speed
This allows us to understand:
whether dysgraphia is present
what specific areas are contributing to the difficulty
how your child’s learning profile fits together
And most importantly:
what will actually help
IEE vs. School Psychological Evaluation
School-Based Evaluations
School evaluations are typically:
time-limited
standardized across students
focused on eligibility determination
constrained by district procedures and resources
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
An IEE provides:
deeper neuropsychological assessment
more comprehensive testing battery
individualized interpretation of results
integrated understanding of learning, cognition, and emotional functioning
an independent clinical perspective
When school testing does not fully explain a child’s challenges, an IEE can provide critical clarity.
Students can earn “average” scores on school testing and still have a disability. Often, more in-depth testing is needed
What Happens During an IEE
Step 1: Intake & Review
We review school records, prior testing, and developmental history.
Step 2: Comprehensive Testing
Individualized neuropsychological assessment may include:
cognitive testing
academic achievement testing
attention and executive functioning measures
language evaluation
emotional and behavioral assessment
Step 3: Integrated Interpretation
All findings are carefully synthesized into a clear diagnostic profile.
Step 4: Feedback Session
We provide a detailed explanation of results in clear, accessible language.
Step 5: Comprehensive Report
You receive a full report suitable for:
CSE meetings
IEP or 504 planning
school district review
What You Receive From an IEE
Clear Diagnostic Understanding
A detailed explanation of how your child learns, processes information, and functions emotionally and behaviorally.
Educational Recommendations
Specific, actionable recommendations for school supports, accommodations, and interventions.
Strength-Based Profile
Identification of cognitive and academic strengths to support learning success.
School-Ready Documentation
A comprehensive report designed for use in educational planning meetings.
When School Results Don’t Feel Right
Many families seek an IEE after feeling:
confused by school evaluation results
unsure whether all concerns were fully captured
frustrated by lack of clear next steps
concerned that their child is still struggling despite “normal” testing results
It is not uncommon for school evaluations to miss subtle but important neurocognitive or learning differences.
An independent evaluation can help bring clarity when uncertainty has been ongoing.
Your Rights to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Under federal special education law (IDEA), parents have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation when they disagree with a school district’s evaluation.
In many cases, the school district must either:
fund the Independent Educational Evaluation, or
initiate due process to defend their evaluation
Our IEEs are conducted in a manner consistent with school district and CSE requirements throughout Long Island and New York State.
Serving Families Across Long Island
We provide Independent Educational Evaluations in Long Island, NY, including families in:
Nassau County
Suffolk County
Queens (including Forest Hills, Bayside, Whitestone) and surrounding areas
Why Work With Dr. Duhning
Dr. Duhning is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist with specialized training in both clinical evaluation and the school system.
Her background as a practicing school psychologist — including experience with IEP and 504 processes — allows her to provide not just diagnostic clarity, but meaningful guidance on how to apply results in real-world settings.
Families often choose this practice when they are looking for:
a more precise and individualized understanding
clear explanations — not confusing reports
recommendations they can actually use at home and in school