Leaderboard

I would not want the category of ED on my child's IEP (even if not primary), unless the child truly does have an emotional disturbance. There is a big difference between seeing "ED" on an IEP and writing off behavior as something that is inherent in the child and instead working to address the issues that are causing the behavior (failure on the part of his team to understand him/relate to him, frustrations with dyslexia/dysgraphia and lack of instruction/support, etc.). ED may give the IEP team and his gen ed teachers an excuse not to address the behavior properly. Request an IEE. When the results come back and an eligibility meeting is scheduled, make sure you have read and understand your state's criteria for ED and use the specific criteria and the results of the IEE to strenuously argue that he does not fall under that category.

An FBA will look at what can be seen. If there is something else going on that can't be seen (my guess is the frustration because of the discrepancy between giftedness + dysgraphia w/o proper technology to accommodate), the FBA isn't going to be all that helpful. Ross Greene's CPS works well with PDA. It can take a while to learn which is a drawback.

Perhaps you need to request a Functional Behavioral Analysis and then a Behavioral Intervention Plan? So that the underlying causes/triggers of his behavior can be fleshed out, a plan can be put in place to address the behavior, and teachers can receive training to implement the plan. Instead of just sticking the label of ED on him to explain the changes in his behavior.

The way I see this (because I've seen this with other students), his ED is coming from the CPTSD he experienced due to the IEP team not understanding ASD (and his other diagnoses) & not being able to meet his needs. Unfortunately, you do not have the credentials to dispute their diagnosis. In your shoes, I would disagree with the eval and request an IEE at school expense. IMO, he needs a team that better understands ASD & can better meet his needs. You can ask for teacher training in ASD if you feel this is what's going on. You can start by writing a parent concerns letter stating that the appearance of ED is due to the school team not understanding him & how ASD affects him. Without the support like he had in 6th grade when the team did a better job meeting his needs, the lack of support is coming out as behavior which looks like ED. Is the school also saying that he no longer has ASD? The way ASD is defined includes this: "Autism does not apply if the child's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE." If they remove the ASD diagnosis, then he won't get the support he needs at school for the ASD issues.