@*@*@* Appointment at school for formal diagnosis:what to expect? @*@*@*@

[Lulumama]

DS screened for dyslexia last term of year 2.(in year 3 now)

Came back as high risk. Has had extra help ever since and various strategies in place. Not had formal diagnosis, SENCO has said in her opinion he is a classic dyslexic, and that based on the initial findings of the ed psych. he is dyslexic.

Have a meeting, not until 19th february, with me & DH, his teqacher, SALT and OT. He was discharged by OT after initial assesment, and had some lessons from SALT with work to do at home.

just don't know what to expect!

have been told that children do not get statemented anymore anyway...

help !

thank you

[dustystar]

Well its nonsence that children don't get statemented anymore but it may well be that the school are able to provide enough support for your ds without asking for a statement.

How has he been doing with the extra help?

[Lulumama]

thanks, it is not the school who told me this, but a friend who has a son with SN. the school have been very supportive, he has maths and literacy booster classes in small groups, and his spelling and reading age are improved... I am more concerned about what happens at senior school, am more than happy with what is happening now.

well, i am assured he is doing just fine, but i look at his independent writing and spelling and feel not so confident. perhaps i am expecting too much

[Peachy]

Bolleaux to the children don't get satemented any more- I have 2 that have for a start!. What tehy mean is, 'Statements are the only way we can legally be forced to contribute cash towards helping a child'- ie if you want a statement you have to apply yourself (look on the IPSEA website for info on that but NEVER acceot the school or LEA input on that, they're scared- LEa of a statement / costs, school that if a statement si refused they'll get the cost instead)

Cynical old me!

Sounds like its just going to be a meeting and an actiomn plan put in place. have to say am a bit at the number of professionals attending- never ahd that many at the boys ASD dx's and i imagine it must be intimidating for you!

[Lulumama]

thanks peachy!

if we do get him statemented, does it carry over to his secondary education? sorry to be dim, but this is a whole new world for me

i am glad they are taking all this so seriously , just wish the meeting was a bit sooner, but i am sure they have a lot of children to see and meet about

[Peachy]

Statements are reviewed annually within the LEA, if he moved outside it would for 6 months then be reviewed 9although ds2's has lasted 2 blardy weeks but that's another story ).

[Lulumama]

he will remain under the same LEA at senior school wouldn;t he, if in the same town?

it was not the school who have said they don;t statement,but a friend. she has a son with SN.

this is all baffling, isn;t it?

[Peachy]

Oh a tip: if the school or senco does mention a statemnt at any satge, apply yourself- if the school does there's far less right of appeal etc than if you do (again thr IPSEA site).

Younknow BIBIC do dyslexia therapy now, right? I think I mentioned that before but just checking (www.bbic.org.uk)

[TellusMater]

Statements do go with the child between schools. They are assessed every year. It is quite unusual to get a statement for dyslexia if progress is made with in-school support.

As a learning support teacher, I often wonder why some school are so reluctant to apply for statements. We had children who came into secondary with no statement in place who so clearly needed one. Hard to get though, and even harder to get a useful number of hours...

[Peachy]

She means they don't like to statement then- which is right. not statementing any more would be a blanket policy, which is highly illegal.

[Lulumama]

thanks tellus... so if DS continues to progress well, and not statemented, do we start from scratch at senior school or do junior school advise senior school of his needs?

am worrying somewhat in advance, but don;t want to be
a) fobbed off
b) look like i don;t know what is going on
c) waste time not doing things quickly enough

[TellusMater]

Yes, all of the information should be passed on to the secondary school. If it is a catchment primary there will probably be (or at least should be) liaison between the primary and the secondary support department.

[sunflowervalley]

Lulumama-My son is in year 2 and has a dx of selective mutism and a phonological disorder.

We were fortunate enough to be given a statement last year od 20 hours 1:1 help which has now been put in place.

My sons statement was applied for by the school as they did not have the extra resources to help my DS.
With lots of supporting reports from myself,ed psych,SALT,childrens services,doctor and a mental health worker.

At the meeting myself and DH were amazed at the number of people present,the head,his class teacher ,SENCO,2 people from childrens services,SALT.

But must say they were all vital in getting DS his statement .

It can be over whealming and as Peachy said intimidating but if you get them on side and put your points across and make sure you are heard they are invaluable.

It took awhile for me to get through to the school and some professionals that my son really needed the support and to make them understand DS's condition.

Just keep at it and don't feel intimidated.

I use to write everything down,discussions,dates,times,phone calls and have all information at hand with you at any meetings you attend.

Can be daunting and still is as we still have numerous meetings to attend but as time goes by you will feel more condifent in dealing with the meetings.

Good luck,let us know how you get on.

[Lulumama]

thank you very much

this is all really helpful

am going to jot down my main concerns and if they are not addressed at the meeting i will mention them.

am confident the school will be supportive and as i said have already initiated extra help, both one to one and small group sessions

will certainly update as and when

thanks again