EHCP for High functioning autism?

[TigerTeatime]

Hi all. Does anyone know if you an get an EHCP if my son (5) has needs, but is NOT falling behind academically?

His needs are based around problems with social interactions, needing to be more flexible, anxiety with changes in routine. He is struggling with school life, but they are not interested unless he starts falling behind.

Our doctor said she was pretty certain he would have got an old 'statement', but she isn't sure about the new EHCP system.

Any advice much appreciated.

[streakybacon]

It's certainly worth applying, so that he can be fully assessed and those needs documented, and appropriate support recognised and quantified, but at his age it's possible you'd be refused and told to 'wait and see'. But certainly a child with HFA could have an EHCP. My ds has autism and ADHD and he has one.

[wevecomeonholidaybymistake]

DS 8 has Aspergers. He is doing really well academically and masks all his anxieties at school, I get the fall out at pick up time.
School have told us he wouldn't get an EHCP.

[streakybacon]

Schools say all sorts of things, doesn't mean it's true.

This week I heard of a parent being told by her child's class teacher that there was no SEN COP, which is blatantly untrue.

OP, I would suggest you read the COP, especially Section 9 about EHCPs.

SEN COP 2015

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

wevecomeonholidaybymistake

School are misleading you big time here; they simply do not want to do the work.

Do not fall for this; apply for the EHCP yourself and read IPSEA's website //www.ipsea.org.uk

[Ineedmorepatience]

I agree with the others, we were told Dd3 didnt need a statement but guess what, after a fight she now has one! Sadly its too late for her because she has already slipped through the net!

Apply yourself and be prepared for it to take a while! You may need to appeal somewhere along the line, which is hard but not impossible, lots of people on here have win at tribunal and would help you.

Dont let the authority try to con you with policy! The law is whats important and it always trumps LA or school policy.

Good luck

[TagT]

Hi all
I have exactly the same question! DD is doing well at school, academically and socially - we are really, really happy with how things have gone. However, she is due to go up to secondary school in 2016, and we are worried that things will fall apart then.
Her current school say that they just don't have enough evidence to support her needing an EHCP, and that while we can request one as parents, it will hinge a lot on evidence from the school.
So, those of you that do have children with Statements/EHCPs for HFA - HOW did you get them? What sort of evidence did you use?
Starting to get worried that all the hard work will be undone when things start to get more challenging for DD

[CrispyFern]

Following!

[tigerpug]

hi Tiger. Your situation sounds very similar to ours. DS starts school in September and has lots of extra funding which means he is fairly happy and meeting all his academic milestones at preschool. We applied for an EHC but we were refused because DS isnt deemed to be behind his peers. However, when he starts school without any additional support I think this will be a different story. I dont think he will struggle academically, but the social side of things will be a lot harder - making friends, sharing etc.

I was told by the EHC assessment team that we could reapply if he starts to struggle socially, not just with his learning.

Have you heard about High Needs Funding? We were told that the school can apply for this if they can show that they cant quite meet a childs needs within their budget. It sounds like it bridges the gap in circumstances where the child may not qualify for an EHC plan. It is a new funding option, and it has everyone confused so I am sorry if this information isnt completely correct. It does sound too good to be true. It might be worth asking the school senco about it though?

Im going to follow this thread too.

[LeChien]

We're in the same situation as we'vecomeonholiday.
No EHCP because academically ds is "fine"
I'll have a look at the ipsea website.

[MilkshakeMonkey]

I don't know if it's of any help but my DS is also 5 and currently going through dx. He like your DS is achieving very well academically, but social struggles, is very black & white thinking, easily emotionally upset etc, also has explosive behaviour and few sensory sensitivies.

We don't have EHCP,obviously as no diagnosis and I don't even know if it will end in diagnosis.
However the lady running his CAF is starting weekly one on one sessions in September with him to work on the social side. She has said they will be 'play' sessions but she will be working on the issues through play.
We haven't had to apply for this.
Do you think something like this would be of value? At least if you got this in place and he was still struggling you could say how you have tried alternative but feel EHCP is the way forward?
Fortunately our school are being really supportive and appreciate its not all about the academic child.

[Lazeedayz]

I was told the same in Y5, I applied and was turned down, once the LA realised I was serious about appealing they agreed to assess. He has an EHCP now.

DS is now Y6 he's got L5's across the board in all SATs & Teacher assessments so academically is very able.