My 14yr old DD with ASD is currently being tutored at home after being unable to cope at 2 secondary schools. LA have been very accommodating about providing this, as CAMHS have clearly stated that they consider school to be detrimental to her mental health at this point.
We got good provision in her statement including private mainstream school, full time TA and weekly direct SALT. By the time of the annual review she was no longer attending school (despite their heroic efforts with her!) and it was agreed that a tutor would be provided for her at home. This has been in place for 2.5 hours a day this term and seems to be going really well.
The problem we have is that this requires a complete overhaul of her statement. This has included the LA getting new SLT and OT reports done, which are frankly inadequate. Despite her obvious severe continuing needs, which both the reports have detailed, no provision has been recommended for OT, and SALT provision has been reduced to 8 hours total per annum (both direct and indirect ). This is despite the report submitted for AR by the independent SLT who had been working with her, recommending maintenance of the weekly provision. This seems fairly obviously driven by resources available rather than need. The LA have said that they can only put the recommendations from their reports on the statement although they are going to talk to the authors.
Do we agree to finalise the statement (noting our disagreement ), appeal and get independent reports? Certainly the education and (lack of) intervention she is getting at the moment is nowhere near the full hours she is entitled to. Her mental health is slightly improved at the moment, largely due to being at home, but at some point in the future she will need to be equipped to go out in the world, and hopefully be able to access education more fully. This is why the SLT and OT are so vital.
I know it's a complex situation, and the LA reckon they're in uncharted territory, but we really need to get it right. Only 4 years until she's an adult!
Sorry for long post but I'm stressed up to the eyeballs (again!). Just wanted to rant and see if any of you wise people had any sage advice for me. Possibly involving alcohol. ..........
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Help! Annual review, unhappy with draft amended statement
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sugaraddict · 27/11/2015 18:19
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