about our SEN appointment tomorrow

[Lionking1981]

I am sorry but I am posting here for traffic as we have appointment tomorrow. I am very passive by nature and I need help for tomorrow. My dd is 8, she is is 3/4 years behind in Maths. Her writing is barely legible. She can read brilliantly but is not able to answer questions about what she has read. The school have highlighted a concern and want to push forward with an educational healthcare plan formerly known as a statement. The pediatrician on previous meetings thinks DD is just immature as she is August born and will develop in time, says she obviously has some learning issues but will leave it to the school. Because of the lack of evidence so far submitted, DD is turned away from every support option possible.

DD is very charming and lovely when sitting chatting to the doctor. She enjoys it and tells him everything about holidays and tv etc but things are so different when out of her comfort zone. He does not see DD talking about wanting to stab herself because she thinks she is so stupid. I think there is something wrong - how do I get this doctor to help? If he doesn't agree, I feel she will be left as she is now with no support.

[Lionking1981]

Also, she is increasingly lining up her toys and sitting infront of them flapping her hands to the point that I am worried she will take off.

[GCHQMonitoring]

Hi didn't want to leave you unanswered. My info may be a bit dated as it's been a few years. Is there any chance you can video your DD before going to the appointment?

Do you keep a diary of your concerns/DD's behaviour?

It used to be the case that children could fall 4 yrs behind their peers academically before the school had to put in support, this may vary between counties/schools.

When DS was originally assessed at 5 he was deemed not quite bad enough to require suport from OT/SLT paed etc private ed psych report ignored. He had LD's, but no behavioural issues in school, saving his melt downs for home. We went back to CAMH when DS was 14 due to self harming etc, referred to SLT (same one he'd seen previously) and OT, disheartening to be told he could have benefitted from support when younger!

You need to be forceful at getting your daughters needs met. However, bear in mind that it's not cost effective, often services are understaffed or over subscribed, so its in the medics interest to fob you off, the consequence is it's more dificult to get the support in school and ECHP will be more difficult to obtain.

Good luck.

[GCHQMonitoring]

Sorry just reread my post and it seems very negative

[Lionking1981]

No, thank you very much for your reply. We have a fight on our hands tomorrow I think.

[Babymamamama]

Suggest you ask the school to arrange for an educational psychologist to carry out a cognitive assessment. That can then be used when drawing up the EHCP. Good luck. And you can also ask for an independent supporter allocated by the local authority to guide you through the EHCP process if it progresses that far.

[AllwaysChangingLanes]

Disgraphia & dyscalculalia would be likely options from what you have written here. Ask to see the school senCo & ask they refer her to the ed psych

If it helps at all most people with developmental disorders have higher than average iqs- so the opposite of stupid, but just need reasoba bless adjustments & the right help put in place to enoble them to access education & use their intelligence.

[Diamogs]

I know you wanted traffic hence posting in AIBU but you might want to head over to the SEN board as you won't get as many replies but you will get lots of parents who have been through the process and can advise you.