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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Educational psychologist

21 replies

HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 13:03

Hi. Ds2 is going through asd "testing". He's got a paed, salt have assessed and sent their report, he's on the long ass waiting list for OT and his paed is assessing him in the classroom this month.

His paed asked the school to refer to ed psych. They've spoken to the ed psych who said she may not take the case on because he's too young and if she doesn't see a problem the diagnosis will be a no go even though salt has already issued a report advising asd teachers need to assist etc.

We're waiting for a special needs health visitor to get in touch following horrendous sleep issues (I have a thread on here begging for help) who could advise but not sure how long the referral will take.

Ds1 is 5 and in yr1. Does this sound right?

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HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 13:04

I meant ds1 is going through asd testing. ds2 is going through eds testing Hmm

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zumbaleena · 16/09/2013 13:25

Mine was 3 when assessed by lea EP.send specific e mails to EP and sen case worker saying u want him assessed acc to bas

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HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 13:33

It's his paed that asked for it in the first place. I wonder how much of this is down to his new teacher, she's not very asd friendly (so I've been told by other parents).

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/09/2013 13:56

Doesn't sound good, you and DS2 are being messed about.

EP can only make recommendations re additional educational needs, they cannot make any other sort of diagnosis. EP is also fudging the issue, he is in no way too young to be assessed!. EP is also under pressure not to readily statement.

What is the SENCO in this school like, any good?.

I would look at IPSEA's website and make an application to the LEA re applying for a Statement document.

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PolterGoose · 16/09/2013 14:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bochead · 16/09/2013 14:35

Another one agrees with Atiila.You are being fobbed off.

The IPSEA website has a model letter to help you make the application. Just do it, or you'll still be waiting for help when your child hits school leaving age.

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HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 14:55

Wonderful. I thought so.

Apologies for the confusion this is about da1. Ds2 has other additional needs and was in hospital on the weekend and I typed that in error first time.

In fact, the senco is fab and met with me and his yR teacher a few times last year. This teacher met with me last Monday, said ds settled fine and didn't seem phased with going to yr1 (in an "he can't have asd because he didn't freak out" way). She didn't care it's because every single day of the holiday he wanted to go back to the routine of school and said "when I go to school I'm in year 1. Xxxx is my teacher" on repeat.

She also said that she does her inset planning on a Monday afternoon (my only day off) so she won't be able to really speak to me but we should write letters. I have a bad feeling about this year :(.

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/09/2013 14:59

I would meet with the SENCO again now that DS1 is in year 1 and express your concerns.

I would also use IPSEA's website //www.ipsea.org.uk and apply for the statement doc asap.

Hope your DS2 is making a good recovery, sorry to read he was in hospital this past weekend.

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HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 15:54

Thank you. I will look at that site when the boys are in bed Thanks.

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WetAugust · 16/09/2013 16:02

I think you'll find that if she spends more than 3 days in hospital the LA should assess the likelihood of her needing a Statement. It's not a well-known requirement but existed when I was more involved in SNs a few years ago.

2nd-ing everyone else here who says apply for a Statement yourself. That way she will have to be seen by the Ed Pysch as part of the Statementing process

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StarlightMcKenzie · 16/09/2013 16:40

My ds saw an EP before he was 3 years old. To be fair they were forced to see him by my constant insistence and subsequent application for a statutory assessment (this will get them there quickly) but nevertheless it happened.

But they have no or very little input into the dx process and certainly aren't necessary for it.

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HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 16:42

I really wish we already had the sn health visitor, I don't want to keep annoying his paediatrician. I do think I need to talk to a "professional" about this rather than his teacher regarding this.

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AgnesDiPesto · 16/09/2013 18:01

Look at NICE guidance on diagnosis I am pretty sure it requires an EP or clinical psych to be part of diagnosis team now under best practice. There are also asd guidelines which explain how if you get diagnosis you should be referred on to Education. Or as Star says take control of the process and apply for a statement yourself. Your request will probably be refused as premature but you then appeal and to defend the appeal they need an EP so an assessment will then happen. You can also self refer to EP you don't have to wait for school to do it esp if school don't see the problems you do.

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HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 18:09

His reception teachers did and were amazing. Can't believe it. The more I think the more I think, what the fuck? His paediatrician requested school do this!

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ilikemysleep · 16/09/2013 20:31

First thing, call the EP yourself. Don't accept what school reports that she said second hand as gospel. I don't think EPs can overrule an ASD assessment that is underway (in fact I know they can't) and I'd be really surprised if there hasn't been some misquoting or misunderstanding. Then, if she actually did say what they say she said, do what polter etc say. One point of accuracy, EP s don't statement children. There is usually a LA panel gatekeeping that, not an EP. EPs are 'necessary but not sufficient'. RE EPs only being able to recommend on educational needs, again not tsrictly accurate, EPs can and do advise ASD diagnostic panels, (I do this myself) but usually as part of a specialist role within a diagnostic team.

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HugAndRoll · 16/09/2013 21:48

Thank you. I spoke with my mum who was a senco and she advised I request a meeting with school teacher and senco for clarity before I do a self referral and see what they say. Will let you know.

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Nigel1 · 16/09/2013 23:13

An EP is part of the diagnosis team. The EP can not make a diagnosis of ASD that is a clinical diagnosis and an EP is not a clinical practitioner. The Nice guidance states that the gold standard is to have a multi disciplinary team of at least a Clin Psy/ Com Ped and SALT/OT/EP plus input from school and parents. EP appears to be giving the wrong information or is being misquoted.

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HugAndRoll · 17/09/2013 06:37

Thank you. I will wait for a response to my letter and go from there.

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HugAndRoll · 17/09/2013 08:44

Omg she just rang after reading my letter and will do the referral this week.

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StarlightMcKenzie · 17/09/2013 09:36

Excellent. Now it is absolutely essential that you write her a thank you note stating clearly her promises to refer and requesting to be copied into the referral, or if you prefer see it before it is sent.

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HugAndRoll · 17/09/2013 12:12

She said that she's giving it to his old reception teacher to fill in because she knows him better. She also said I would have to read it and sign it first.

I'm glad this was the outcome but can tell this year will be long and hard work.

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