son might get a statement

[southeastastra]

don't know why really, feel annoyed and upset

[PeachyWontLieToYou]

What stage is it at SE?

Any statement will outline any concerns but you should already have an IEP stating all the issues?

You will get a chance to input into any application, if it even gets top assessment- many do not, the LEA's are rather good at not issueing them.

Have a look at the ipsea website for general statement info, then make an appt. with senco and demand to know why. If there are genuine concerns and gets a statemrent hes lucky really as it is the only guarantee of support. But you need to know wat's going on.

[southeastastra]

he's had an iep for a few years (he's 6) for speech and language, i thought he was getting on ok, then they told me today they want his to see an ed psych and may lead to a statement. i feel confused

[PeachyWontLieToYou]

Do you have contact details for the SALT team he is under? Would they know more? Ak direct questions of them and SENCO- what do they expect the ed psych to find? that sort of thing

[southeastastra]

no, they only deal with him in school. the sen lady at the school thinks he has severe language problems (sequencing?) i can't see anything wrong really, suppose i'm in denial?

[southeastastra]

sorry probably not making much sense, just feel a little shell shocked. will try and get the name of the speech and language person and talk to them directly.

[PeachyWontLieToYou]

you're suposed to be shocked- its a normal reaction.

You should have the SALT name, ds3 only sees his in school, but I still have the name and contact info.

It couldn't be that SALT has been threatened and they're using a statement as a tactic to guarantee provision? comlpete shot in the dark...

[southeastastra]

i don't know, i haven't had any direct contact with the salt only the school. surely if he really needed a statement wouldn't the salt contact me directly?

i have no idea how these work, i thought it was a battle for some to get a statement

[PeachyWontLieToYou]

Most people really struggle- we did, twice over.

BUT the school cannot decide to give a statement, only apply for assessment for a statement. The lea can decline eitherbefore or after assessment.

If they definitely feel they need one, consider applying ytoursef- if school is refused that's that, if you were refused you'd be able to appeal.

It can all take up to six months (longer if they log delays), is there any change of school / entry to key stage happening that might make them want to up their game?

Ultimately a statement will benefit him, so please dont worry too much- things like 1-1, funds for equipment etc are things that ultimately all kids can benefit from

[southeastastra]

i just wish i knew what 'condition' he has, feel like i'm going round in circles. the school has a specialist speech and language base. only a couple of schools in the county have them, so i suppose i should feel happy he's getting the help. but i'm just confused.

i asked them if they thought he had something but they said he's have to be seen by the ed pyschologist first. going mad googlin.

[PeachyWontLieToYou]

what are you googling?

If its asd you need to google the triad of impairments, the easiest way to get an idea.

Not much knowledge on other disorders but the boundaries between specific language impairment and asd are blurred(ds3's dx changes with the wind!)

[MadamePlatypus]

I think that seeing an Ed Psych should be a positive thing. He is obviously having difficulties, even if they are only that the Senco doesn't know quite how to deal with him. An Ed Psych should be able to help clarify what the issues are and if you are lucky stop you feeling as though you are going round and round in circles.

Going to see an Ed Psych certainly doesn't lead directly to having a statement. (Peachy has given you more info on this).

'Statement' does sound a little like giving a child a permanent label and putting them in a box, and I agree that I would be worried about this - but is that really what it means?

[southeastastra]

i was googling Apraxia but to be honest i'm not sure what i'm looking for, just making myself more tense and worried.

the sen lady at school has handed in her notice too just to make things more hard.

[southeastastra]

yes maybe i should wait and see what the pysch says, he saw an occupational therapist who couldn't find anything, so i suppose i thought that was the end of it.

[AbbeyA]

I think a statement is positive. If the statement says that he needs extra help then it will have to be provided.

[southeastastra]

am i right in thinking that a child needs a diagnosis before getting a statement?

[TotalChaos]

no, a child does not always need a diagnosis to get a statement. try not to panic about the prospect of a statement - it just gives extra legal clout to whatever help they reckon he needs, so LEA shouldn't be able to use lack of money etc as excuse not to provide it.

[PeachyWontLieToYou]

tc is right- ds3 has had several dx's (!), as far as I am aware none presently stand, yet he has 16 hrs astatemented 1-1, plus the school make that up to full time most days.

DX's probably help (like dla), but are not needed

[TotalChaos]

so are they still wavering between SLI and HFA then Peachy?

[PeachyWontLieToYou]

I honestly have no idea TC!

hv thinks that there's a local embargo on asd dx's as they are spiralling

we've given up in that we know what the problem is, we have adequate provision- what's the point?

[southeastastra]

thanks for your help. i thought they definitely needs a diagnosis beforehand.

[maggiems]

Hi Southeastastra

I know exactly what you are going through as I was told on Monday that my Dt2 needs a statement. He did not do well at the EP assessment where concentration was identified as being a big issue. I still cant believe they think he needs a statement but am trying to be positive and see it as a positive thing so that he can actually get help and produce output at school . The EP thinks he may have some language processing problems too and nobody is really sure what the cause of his concentration problems are. I am pretty sure he will be diagnosed with ADD and traits of dyspraxia as his organisation , sequencing skills and spatial awareness is not great. Not much help I know but at least it may help that you are not alone.

I have read your posts in the past and see some similarities between our DS?s

I was told it would take 18 weeks for the statement to come though if approved. There will need to be input from the Paed, the EP, school and us. However I suspect the paed is involved because we are currently been seen by her and there is a potential diagnosis. I know you don?t have to have a diagnosis for a statement to be given . I am in NI so possibly the timescales are different . At the end of the day there is little help available without a statement , at least here so it should help.

[southeastastra]

thanks for posting maggiems, i still feel a bit shocked but if it will help him so be it.

wish they could just get on and do it quickly, i'll probably have the whole summer to worry about it.

we'll have to compare notes