"Listening & Attention" SEN (Private Receptio)?

[QTPie]

Any experiences?

DS has just completed being assessed for "Speech and Language" (school requested it, but school/teacher are incredibly thorough and want anything that might delay development to be picked up early). Sounds sensible.

The assessor says that speech is slightly delayed, but not serious and "on track". It will catch up quickly without any intervention - no action required.

However she has identified problems with "listening and attention". In particular attention span for following longer, more complex instructions (although his understanding of simple, direct instructions is excellent) and talking too much (he is always monologuing and hence not listening and missing out on spoken information). This is a fair assessment and both his teacher and I would concur. He is bright, curious, confident and independent, but it is hard work getting him to listen and co-operate (not because he is particularly obstinate - he isn't - just because he doesn't listen).

The Assessor is recommending SEN support and apparently this can be provided in school via the SLIP programme (don't know if that is local initiative or a national one).

DS is just 5 (Reception) and at a private school. Does anyone have experience of SEN support for "Listening and Attention" in this sort of environment? Admittedly DS is already incredibly lucky in Reception (21 kids - 2 teachers, 2 TAs and 1 or 2 Norland Nanny trainees): they had already singled him out for extra attention (and, in particular, reinforcement of spoken information).

Also does anyone have very positive experience of the benefits of such SEN support? Did it really help? DS's school is very academic. Although this is not an issue at the moment, the school becomes increasingly academic (and high pressure) at Junior and Senior. The school will be continually assessing his suitability to progress, but I need to be sure that it is the best environment for him too.

Thanks

[thoth]

It may not be that he isn't listening per se, more that he has an auditory processing disorder. I Have one. I was top in my class all the way through school, but I do struggle to take in information through my ears. Schools are far better equipped to deal with this type of need nowadays - with me they just kept sending me for hearing tests which were always fine in any case.

[thoth]

And of course he's five. When you're one to one with him, can he follow two and three step instructions?

[QTPie]

Thanks Thoth :)

I don't think it is APD, since - whatever it is - I think that he gets it from me (I had it and still, to a degree, have it - although you wouldn't know) and I don't think it is auditory, but I could be wrong. He is very tactile and visual (as am/was I).

Yes. I have always known he was "intense", fast, headstrong, independent and focussed on what he wanted to do (and do it quickly),
but have just assumed "on the more intense side of normal": he is a 5 year old boy (goodness, his 42 year old, degree educated father struggles to follow simple verbal instructions :( ).

He can/does follow simple one step instructions. Sometimes two step instructions (in particular ones he is familiar with - "put your pyjamas under your pillow THEN straighten up your bed"). Think he would struggle with three step instructions... He just heard the first bit and is off...

As a parent it is frustrating (he is generally "good but hard work"), but I can definitely understand how he would benefit from extra support at school. I don't want anything - that could be supported - to hold up his development.

[thoth]

Its so hard to say, it could purely be maturity as he's still so young. But I don't think that any extra support they're offering would do harm, so probably best to take what they can offer. SEN support can vary greatly but the ratios sound Fab.

[QTPie]

Thoth, completely agree. He has excellent teaching ratios and extra help can only benefit him. Parents evening tomorrow night - so that might be enlightening too.

[Solareclipseoftheheart]

Hi my child has just had an Ed Psych assessment for focus and attention and working memory (one aspect of it) came up as an issue. Ensuring instructions are understood/ chunking info/ visual timetables etc. have been suggested. Hope this helps. PM me if you like