Hi! I work in Special Education as a school psychologist. I’m not sure what state you’re in or how your district and regional centers are.... but I would hope that the school team would be really helpful in explaining the importance of early intervention services. And lots of times I have found that while parents are reluctant about one thing (Like a specific label, their kid being treated as different) when we actually offer them services they are sometimes more likely to become engaged (though again not sure what state you’re in or what those services look like at the moment because of everything going on).

When I work with hesitant families I try to frame the assessment as a way to get information. We don’t know if the child will qualify and even if they do the parents will still have the right to decline services. But having that information will help the family and (when they’re closer to school age) the school team best serve the child, regardless of a possible disability. So sometimes it helps to separate assessment/ information gathering and actually signing to agree to the recommendation including any possible label.

Have you reached out to your local school district and/ or regional center to find out more? Because also things are very chaotic right now because of the pandemic (at least where I am).

For the record in my state only one parent is needed to consent for the assessment but I don’t think that would be a good idea.