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I understand that this doesn't feel like a typical path, but in my opinion, that's the way you need to treat it if you want to get an IEP - don't give the school any wiggle room to argue "they didn't get the correct request, etc." I don't know all the facts and may be making some incorrect assumptions based on what facts you did provide, but here are my thoughts. The fact that the director of spec ed is requesting the referral email would to me mean a referral for special education. Yet on the other hand he asks for a list of accommodations, which would mean a 504 Plan which shouldn't be under his purview (instead would be a 504 coordinator). So it's a little confusing. But regardless of what he is asking for or why, you need to send an email requesting a referral for special education and it SHOULD be a "typical starting request." Your daughter is not in special education, so anytime you reach out and ask for this it is considered a "starting request." If you don't do it this way, the school might figure out a way to say you never asked for a referral for special education. In your email, reference your outside report (I would also resend it along with your email just to be safe and so it is included with your official request). Unfortunately, following the process (which I HIGHLY suggest) means the school gets to do their own evaluation if they want to (since, if I'm following the fact pattern correctly, they haven't done an evaluation since 5th grade). You may think they won't want to because it's from the same center they use, etc., but don't over think this this and FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE. They may very well say they want to do their own evaluation so they can get an extra 60 days...?? (But I'm not real sure how the timeline would be affected if they accept your eval.) In any event, although it may not feel like it, you're starting from ground zero and need to do everything from that standpoint. As far as the spec ed director asking for your list of accommodations, that's a little strange this early in the process. But you could send one (MAKE IT A SEPARATE EMAIL from your referral email) in response listing the ones set forth in your evaluation with the caveat that "these may not be all that are necessary and more may come up during the IEP process with the entire team." That way he understands that you're not thinking 504 - you're thinking IEP.