Ed Psych, what to expect?

[expatinscotland]

Shot in the dark, but here goes!

So DD1 met with her new paed today.

Yes, her learning delays are becoming more obvious - she's 4.6 now.

She can recognise one letter, A, and has trouble counting and with the concept of numbers, even to five.

Other cognitive delays in conversation and motor skills.

Can draw a circle and a line. That's it.

No dominant hand. Pen/pencil grip issues.

Just now starting to potty train.

Physically, more right side dominant - things like going up and down stairs with both feet and always leading with the right. She's going to OT and SALT.

She's also been referred to the educational psychologist, as she'll be entering primary school in August.

What goes on in the first appointment?

Any pertinent questions to bring up?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Expat

I'd put your questions on the Special Needs forum of this website as you may get more replies that way as well.

Re the EP this person normally comes into nursery/school to observe the child, this is sometimes done without the parent being present. EP's often work v closely with Local Education Authorities and make recommendations to them.

I would contact your LEA and find out how your daughter can receive additional support and in what form. You may well have a fight on your hands to get her this.

[acthmt]

They will usually speak to you (the parent) ask you to fill in the family (medical) history, the development of the child from birth... they often go right back to the birth and sometimes pregnancy ... of the child to determine genetic/family history. They generally move onto assessments of the child such as vocabulary.. depends on what the information they are given. Any concerns you should write them down and take them with you. Anything you are likely to forget write it down.

[expatinscotland]

Thanks, Attila! Will do.

Fortunately, we are in an area of Scotland where they are very proactive about getting DD1 help already.

The primary school she will attend has only 60 pupils in total and a very good reputation.

The headmistress is already aware that DD1 has delays, and her paed and HV are already working together to coordinate therapies and the like for her.

Fortunately, too, the paed here went to medical school with DD1's paed in EDinburgh.

Her primary school is too small to have a nursery attached, so she's going to another school for this at present.