Statements for Speech Delay/Disorder?

[TotalChaos]

DS is starting Reception in September. He has delayed speech and very delayed understanding. He had one joint clinic appointment where they "probably" thought he didn't have ASD, and I'm not aware of any further plans for them to see him (if I don't receive any paperwork from them soon I will phone up and find out what's next). It was suggested that they would consider a language unit place after a term or two in reception. Because DS would be in the exact same class for reception as nursery, I am OK with this idea, as it won't mean he is upheaved too much by starting reception.

He's very keen to comply with and copy the other children, so there aren't really behaviour problems (?yet). I want to apply for a statement as I want to try and get some proper formal help in place before things to go tits up. Do I have a cat in hell's chance of getting a statement for him? Even if I don't have a cat in hell's chance, I don't see that applying for a statement can do any harm. Atm you see he can probably manage without 1-1, but I think that if he had some part time 1-1 to help with speech etc that would be beneficial. I would be grateful for your thoughts and advice ladies?

[TotalChaos]

btw I know I should have got off my arse and put in an application for assessment sooner- but I thought we would come away with an ASD diagnosis of some description from joint clinic so thought that would make the statementing process a little mre straightforward, so I was slightly thrown by not getting the diagnosis.

[Hassled]

Yes, go for it - my SALT applied for a Statement for my DS3 in the January before he started Reception (even then it didn't come through in time for the September, so you won't have one in place right at the start, though they do aim for 6 months). I've heard a lot on MN since then that it's actually better if the parent applies - more rights of appeal etc if the request for a statement gets turned down.

My DS3 has a DX of "a severe phonological disorder with elements of verbal dyspraxia". No behavioural problems, no AS-type problems.
He got the Statement, he's now in Yr1 and gets 20 hours a week of 1-1 support, and has gone from completely unintelligible to being pretty clear most of the time. It was so worth doing. Good luck!

[TotalChaos]

thanks Hassled that's very helpful indeed. I think the chance of NHS SALT applying for a statement is bugger all quite frankly. My LEA is extremely tightfisted from what I can gather.

[TotalChaos]

Yes I was wondering whether your boy had a statement TClang, I suspected not, as I thought you would have mentioned it by now.

I had look at your blog last night btw TClang, and commented on the APD stuff.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

TotalChaos

Nothing short of a statement will give him what you seek for him in terms of additional support.

Apply for the statement yourself to the LEA (you need to write to the Chief Education Officer and give them six weeks to reply). You are actually the best person to apply - you have far more rights than school would have in this regard.

[TotalChaos]

thanks attila. I will make sure I apply myself.

[TotalChaos]

had a chat with DS's teacher - she thinks not a cat in hell's chance of him getting a statement, and she didn't seem terribly keen on me applying for me... (will e-mail T Clanger if you are interested with more details about what was said and why). I think I will see if SALT come up with the promised therapy within the timescale they promised - if not, I will apply anyway, to try and get a formalised entitlement to SALT.

[TotalChaos]

don't think you need a statement to get in SALT unit up here, they seem more concerned to exclude other learning difficulties and possibly ASD (have had mixed messages). Despite the fact that the city has one salt unit for kids with moderate learning difficulties which I found out accidentally.

[moondog]

Yes,go for the statement.
If you don't get it,then appeal.
School action plus is a fucking disgrace and i would advise any parent to ignore it.
It is a way of authorities seemingly promising to offer help but not being legally bound to do so.

I don't blame the grass rots staff for this,but the planners and unless they get their fingers out and plan adequate and cost effective support for children with SN, the only way to go is to knee 'em in the bollocks (metaphorically you understand) by going for the statement which is the ONLY way to guarantess support (and even then a lot of statements are pretty useless and vague and do not reflect provision)

[moondog]

Yes,go for the statement.
If you don't get it,then appeal.
School action plus is a fucking disgrace and i would advise any parent to ignore it.
It is a way of authorities seemingly promising to offer help but not being legally bound to do so.

I don't blame the grass rots staff for this,but the planners and unless they get their fingers out and plan adequate and cost effective support for children with SN, the only way to go is to knee 'em in the bollocks (metaphorically you understand) by going for the statement which is the ONLY way to guarantess support (and even then a lot of statements are pretty useless and vague and do not reflect provision)

[moondog]

Yes,go for the statement.
If you don't get it,then appeal.
School action plus is a fucking disgrace and i would advise any parent to ignore it.
It is a way of authorities seemingly promising to offer help but not being legally bound to do so.

I don't blame the grass rots staff for this,but the planners and unless they get their fingers out and plan adequate and cost effective support for children with SN, the only way to go is to knee 'em in the bollocks (metaphorically you understand) by going for the statement which is the ONLY way to guarantess support (and even then a lot of statements are pretty useless and vague and do not reflect provision)

[TotalChaos]

TClanger - yes, thank god I am happy with DS's current school as otherwise if he could have ended up in 3 settings in a year if he gets transferred to a language unit.

Moondog - thanks! I am thinking of not asking for 1-1 TA time at all, just for SALT - is this sensible?

[moondog]

Eminently.

[TotalChaos]

Thanks .

[moondog]

And go to SNAP for advice and IPSEA website for letter templates and advice.

[TotalChaos]

thanks again Moondog.

[castlesintheair]

My DS(6) was very like yours TC when he started reception without a statement (long story ) and I would thoroughly recommend applying for one now. He only survived his 1st year due to an exceptional teacher & ta and private SALT once a week. Can you get the school to help you with the statement prior to him starting? We got private developmental paed and educational psychologist reports as NHS weren't interested, and that really helped. Definitely get a developmental paed report if you can.
DS is in year 1 now and has 20 hours of 1:1 a week (statemented) and the improvement is so good that he's unlikely to need anything next year.
Good luck

[TotalChaos]

thanks Castles and glad to hear your DS is doing so well now. hopefully the developmental paed report from joint clinic will be useful. the school don't seem very enthusiastic about applying for a statement. goodish news from private SALT assessment today is that he is at 36 month level (so only 13 months behind) on both expressive and receptive now. private SALT says I should push for language unit, doesn't think I'm likely to get a statement for him, but thinks that me nagging to get more support for him is a very good idea!

[drowninginlaundry]

TC, if your DS needs more speech therapy than the NHS entitlement, he needs a statement. Go and start the ball rolling as advised by others here.

Your son's teacher, whilst maybe very knowledgeable in SEN, can't decide whether he will get a statement or not. That's a result of the statutory assessment, after all the expert advice has been taken into account. If the school cannot meet your DS's special educational needs from their own budgets and with the help of external agencies as in SA+ (and it seems that they can't), he needs a statement. The key is identifying what his special educational needs are, and for this you need independent assessments. Your LEA and PCT professionals will play his needs down, for obvious reasons.

Also note that a clause 'if we can afford it' or 'if it's available' does not exist in SEN law. Your child's needs have to be met, regardless of the cost. So if the school says that 'help is not available' they are wrong. It is the duty of the LEA to provide an appropriate education (and speech therapy is an educational provision as per case law) for your son, just keep that in mind. They might have a strange view of what an 'appropriate education' is, but that's the point you have to argue. IPSEA and SOS!SEN are fab!

[drowninginlaundry]

just to add - your LEA cannot have blanket policies for SEN provision, so if you hear that 'SLI children do not get statements' or something similar, it's wrong and such blanket policies are unlawful. It's irrelevant what other children with similar needs get in terms of provision, your child and his needs should be assessed as an individual!