Statement report help

[adrianna22]

Hi everyone just some quick advice.

What do you guys recommend for a four year old boy, who has very mild ASD traits, severe delay in his speech and language skills.

So far I've heard that they are recommending visual timetables, lots of pictures and a sterile class with minimal distractions.

That's great and all, if he really needed that. I'm sick of the traditional visual timetables, lots of pictures etc. I told them that DS doesn't mind changes in his routine and can follow verbal instructions. But they said it's best to implement this now incase he becomes routine obsessed. Do you think this is worth refuting?

As they are no suitable units for DS, I am deliberating if he should go to a specialist school 3 days a week, for the speech therapy and attend mainstream school at the same time as DS is very academic.

[adrianna22]

The ASD units mainly focuses on sensory issues, behaviours. The speech and language units only focuses on language and gramma etc.

The only type of school I liked were the SLCN schools.

So was wondering if split placement was possible.

[adrianna22]

Bump

[fairgame]

Every asd child is different and tou know him best. If he doesn't need routine and visuals then don't use them, they can always be implemented at a later stage if he starts to struggle. He sounds quite adaptable for a child with asd and it seems a bit backwards to try and supress that
As for the split placement, you will have to ring the LA and ask but I think it's unlikely they will say yes ime.

[adrianna22]

Thank you fairgame, do you think that I should write on his report that he doesn't need a timetable but it should be implemented when his older????

Why do you think they would say no to the split placement??

[fairgame]

Because if you are asking for a specialist school rather than a unit run by the LA surely they are going to have to pay for a full time place as the school won't be able to fill the place for the 2 days your child is not there. They won't want to spend public funds on a full time place if he's not going to attend full time.

What report are you writing? Is it your parental views for annual review or for a statutory assessment?

[adrianna22]

Oh I see.

No, I'm under the ECH plan now. He has already been assessed for a statuary assessment, but they are just waiting for the other reports from the other professionals now, including myself.

[fairgame]

So has he got an ECH plan or is this part of the process of applying for a plan?
If it's an application for a plan then you need to word it very carefully. You want to get as many hours as possible, they want to give you at little as possible. If you put that he doesn't need visuals etc then it looks like his needs are not that great. You could word it like 'Ds doesn't currently use visuals but they need to be readily available as he may need them at any time' or something like that.

[Tambaboy]

Adrianna, apologies if I'm being obtuse but I'm a bit confused as to in which stage of the process you are at.

You have said he has already been assessed but they are waiting from reports from you and other professionals. Do you mean he was assessed by SALT and other professionals prior to you requesting a statutory assessment? And now that the LEA has agreed to carry out the statutory assessment and is gathering evidence from the professionals involved including you? Are you writing the parental views?

Has he been referred to the language unit for an assessment as part of his statutory assessment or has he been offered a place there?

Or have they already agreed to issue a statement (or EHC plan) and you've already have the draft document and you are making changes to it? is the LEA waiting for you to name the school/schools to put them in the document and they have suggested the language unit?

I hope you don't mind asking me asking for clarification but I believe people will give you better advice with the right info.

[Tambaboy]

Sorry specialist school and not language unit.

[fairgame]

I'm also a bit confused if i'm honest because on this thread you have asked about a shared placement with a specialist school (i assume independent) then you have started another thread asking about a shared placement with a maintained SALT unit. I thought your DS already had a statement.
I am easily confused, so apologies OP

Tamba I do know that the LEA have suggested the SALT unit to the OP as she had a thread last week where she stated that. She has also been looking at ASD units but i think she has decided they aren't suitable for her DS as his ASD is mild and but he has severe language disorder. He has just started ms and is doing well which is why she wants a split placement as she wants her DS to carry on with his ms placement for a few days per week. (That's what i understand from previous threads, so correct me if i'm wrong OP)

[Tambaboy]

Thanks fairgame, it's all a bit clearer now. I'm currently revising ds' draft EHC plan and I'm not at my sharpest, in fact I think my brain is about to self combust!

If the LEA has suggested SLT unit (or SLT specialist school I'm not sure) and you are happy with it I would probably go for it if your child's needs are mainly language related, he could always go back to mainstream in the future.
If his ASD is mild maybe the ASD specialist is not the best option. But you know your child best.

I remember a thread where you mentioned Meath School, we took ds there a few years back for an assessment and he loved it. I'm not surprised you would like that school for your ds. In an ideal world I would love DS to go

[adrianna22]

Sorry guys

Yes Tambo... They have agreed to carry out the statuary assessment. DS was assessed by they educational psychologist a few weeks ago. So yes, I'm currently writing my parental views and the LA is waiting for the written reports of the professionals involved with DS.

I keep on changing my mind about the units, the language unit that I really liked are full . So I visited another language unit, but they ONLY focus on language. They do not focus on communication!

I really loved the ICAN Meath school! It focused on speech, language AND communication skills. But I doubt my LA would allow DS to go there.

I think SLCN schools is what I'm looking for.

[adrianna22]

DS was referred by the LA to the language unit so that he can be assessed to see whether he would be suitable at that school.

[Tambaboy]

Hi adrianna , it must be so hard trying to find the right school for your DS.
Is the assessment for the language unit you don't particularly like?