statements and school places

[susia]

Hi my son is on the waiting list for our preferred school. He is currently coming to the end of Year 1 and has been on the waiting list for nearly two years.

In the meantime he has been attending another school. A few months ago his teacher said that she thought he should be tested for dyspraxia and dyslexia as she thinks there is a problem.

Tomorrow we are seeing a consultant about this.

It just occurred to me that if he is diagosed with either of these, does this mean I could obtain a statement of special needs and he would go higher on the waiting list or straight away get a place at our preferred school? If so, how would I get a statement?

If anyone has any idea I would be very grateful.

[susia]

does anyone know anything about this?

[LIZS]

A diagnosis, assuming there is one, may not automatically mean a statement ,and certainly not immediately. Chances are, if he/she thinks there is a problem, you will be referred to further specialists such as Occupational Therapy and SALT for further assessment. The statementing procedure could yet be a long winded affair and may or may not help your case for a particular school depending on available resources.

[susia]

thanks for that info