Right way to go about investigating possible special needs?

[PotMarigold]

Teacher has been talking about referral to EP since Feb, citing various issues interfering with school learning. I just spoke to my GP who is talking about poss referral to Community Paed. (I mentioned in advance to school.) Is there anything else I can/should do? or shouldnt do?

In meantime DS confidence low and not progressing well. in some ways I wonder if pinpointing a cause might help him, as might stop him assuming he's generally less able. have others found this can help?

also, what is others experience of putting DS through assessments - could it undermine self esteem? any tips for handling?

[kittycat68]

ask your school to do a CAF referal this will get things moving and insist on school referal to EP. schools usually talk about it for ages before finally refering as it costs them money. get your child assessed now if there is a problem it takes ages to get the help needed if you can get it at all , your childs confidence is probably unlikely to improve is they feel less able at school and others make these comments to him ,kids can be mean sometimes, there may be no obvious underlining issue but MAKE SURE. it seems to me that the school are hoping that you will do all the leg work to save them the time and expense. to build your childs confidence is diffiucult sometimes and all i can say is PRAISE, PRASIE PRAISE even over the little things that you may take for granted that your child odes .Ps how old is DS.

[bowbluebell]

Hello.
The school should be supporting your son through their own SEN system anyway,writing IEP's and inviting you to reviews to talk about his progress. If you feel that some intervetnion from an EP would be useful ask for him to be prioritised for EP time in the school and explain why you would like this. I'm an EP and in my experience, most schools have a set amount of time from the EP service and they negotiate how this is spent. Obviously, if there are lots of chidlren with difficulties at one time, this can create a bit of a backlog, but it's worth mentioning that you are concerned. You could always speak to the EP service direct if you are still concerned (look on your council's website for their details). I'm always happy to take calls from parents. When you see the EP, it may be that they start off with consultations to talk about strategies rather than lots of assessment work. IME, children don't seem to find my assessments upsetting or tiring, we just do fun activities and as much or as little as they can manage and they get a sticker and a little certificate at the end (depending on their age of course, not the 18 year olds!).

I agree with Kitty about the self esteem. Lots of praise and of course, make sure that he knows about all the things he is really good at!

Best of luck

[PotMarigold]

Thanks so much! I didnt realise there might be a budget issue here... It is so true about the praise and confidence, that's one of our strategies and it is such a joy to see how he really lights up Actually I was worried the teachers were getting a bit fed up with him as, altho he is never naughty, he sort of switches off and forgets things or gets confused when they ask him something. Hopefully the GP route will advance us...

[ThatVikRinA22]

i went the EP and community GP route too op. in my sons case (he is now 18) it was the best thing i could have done for him - he found he had aspergers and therefore knew why he was "different" to his peers. great relief for him and us.
it also often unlocks the door to getting specific help, by getting a proper diagnosis.

self esteem wise - getting the assessments and diagnosis was the best way to boost his flagging self esteem, as it gave him a 'reason' as to why he struggled with some things - it validated it for him.

in the end our community paed would only give a verbal dx so we got a full assessment by a specialist in ASD out of county.

[PotMarigold]

DS is (a young) 9. Has had IEPs for the last 2 terms, it turns out - though we weren't told this till now . Anyway... Have now got the referral from GP to Comm Paed'n. Onwards and upwards!