Ehcp for dyspraxia

[pupchewsleg]

DS1 (y6) has a diagnosis of DCD (Dyspraxia). He has lots of coping strategies and largely gets on OK at school although his handwriting is poor and v slow. He gets quite a bit of support at school with improving his muscle tone, spelling and coordination.
It has never occurred me to apply for a EHCP for him, although 2 people recently have asked me why we haven't.
One of these people was one of the panel for his unsuccessful appeal for a secondary school place.
Does anyones child have a ECHP for DCD, and how difficult was the process?
I am concerned about him getting lost (actually and metaphorically) at secondary school.

[TeenTimesTwo]

DD1 had a late dyspraxia diagnosis (y11), but she wouldn't have been 'bad' enough iyswim?

DD2 y8 has poor motor skills (bottom 1%) and slow processing, but doesn't seem to have the organisational issues that DD1 has.

My advice would be to see if you can get him to learn to touch type over the summer and then use a laptop for secondary school. If handwriting is dire you can get things that work for maths, though I think it's awkward.

Where they have worksheets etc to do, with organisation they can be provided online.

Contact the new school's SENCO and ask to meet to discuss possible strategies.

Some of DD2's teachers write her h/w in her planner for her to ensure it is clear. She has a locker so she doesn't have to carry PE kit around all day (couldn't do stairs well when she started). We tried a laptop but abandoned as the typing & organising it was worse than her handwriting. (Whereas DD1 used one successfully y10&y11).

[TeenTimesTwo]

Sorry, you probably know all that anyway.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

We will be going for an ehcp after ds has seen the ASD ppl. We need one for assistive technology as well as some 1 on 1 help in pe and while writing for our six year old. He also needs a lot of specialist equipment.
Our council is well known for turning down ehcp and I will appeal but if it is anything like diagnosis process so far it will be a wild ride.

[WTFsMyUserName]

Sorry @pupchewsleg, I have no advice for you but I'm following this thread as my 5 year old DS was diagnosed this year with dyspraxia and sees an OT. We have informed his teacher and the SENCO but noone has mentioned EHCP.

Can I ask at what age your DS was diagnosed?

[pupchewsleg]

He was diagnosed in y4. I don't know how 'bad' he needs to be. I read about how you might need to prove they are not meeting their potential, which is true of DS1, although he doesn't really like being highlighted for learning support.
The advantage of getting one now is we could choose his secondary school as he currently doesn't have a place at the one all his friends are going to.
However we turned down on appeal despite the support of his O.T.

[pupchewsleg]

DS1's coordination isn't really good enough for touch typing although we have tried. O.T. recommended he used computer for longer pieces of writing but it has never happened. I think he would lose or drop it anyway.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Getting an ehcp can take upto twenty weeks I think. My friend got one for her daughter with ASD but it took longer as our borough are not good.

[RainbowFairiesHaveNoPlot]

I'm pretty resigned to DD2 falling above the line for most stuff really - let alone EHCPs. She's younger though - only age 5 and still not fully through the diagnosis process. At the moment school are very very supportive and if I suggest/request something they'll do their utmost to make it happen - handwriting is beginning to become a pain in the arse though already so we shall see how that pans out over time (kind of stuck on the assistive technology front as voice recognition will never be a real option for her with it affecting her speech as well). I'm already gently trying to get her used to very low key use of a computer - with her being of the generation with touch screens and tablets she was really really clueless - just in the hope that typing will be a way forward in the future for her somehow.

[Lindy2]

If your DS is largely coping ok at school I think it will be hard to get a ehcp.
My DD is year 5 and about a year behind in pretty much everything. I've been told she is still way off qualifying for an ehcp.
It may just be our region but they seem very hard to get.

[PathOfLeastResitance]

How far behind is he? In my area he would need to be at least 2 years behind.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

Have you had meetings with the school regarding the application for an EHCP? I would have thought that the SENCo or class teacher would have flagged it up before now, if they felt that his difficulties warranted that level of support. They would also need to show what they have done to manage the difficulties and what outside support had been sought and whether the strategies suggested had been implemented and reviewed.

After all that, an application can be made, but it takes time to get the paperwork done and then, as has been said, about six months before a draft document is issued. Presumably, he has a place as secondary school, even though it isn’t the one his friends are going to.

EHCPs are hard to get. They’re supposed to be hard to get and should be for a small percentage of children.

[Moominmammacat]

Mine was diagnosed in Y2, lots of help in primary, nothing in secondary but massive DSA at uni. No EHCP, primary said he wasn't bad enough.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

It’s a false belief that your child has to be behind to get an ehcp. If your council says that then they are taking nonsense and actually in a position to get their ass sued.
An EHCP May still be needed if your child is ahead, even more so if they are quite far ahead.

[bradbrad]

Tomorrowillbeachicken I know this message was posted a long time ago, but I am interested to know about a child not having to be behind academically to gain an EHCP? This is what school have told me. My sons writing is terrible and he struggles socially and emotionally too - they tell me that’s not enough...?

[PathOfLeastResitance]

In this area it also comes down to evidencing the exceptionally high level of support the child needs. Here you have to demonstrate 20 hours of support per week. It shouldn’t be this way.

[cabbageking]

An EHCP is issued on need and evidence and a diagnosis is not needed.

It is for support beyond the schools provision and with evidence of a lack of progress.

We have children on P scales who can't get an EHCP.

[Pud2]

On what you’ve said, he’d be unlikely to qualify for an EHCP. These are given to a very small percentage of children who, despite all the interventions, are failing to make progress and are significantly behind. Generally progress relates to academic progress but it could also be behaviour or emotional development. The school have to prove that they are already spending at least £6000 on additional support for your child. This has to be over and above general support from a TA in class. Application is a lengthy and detailed process that needs to be backed up with lots of evidence. A diagnosis doesn’t carry any weight.

[10brokengreenbottles]

BradBrad, Pupils don't have to be academically behind. Neither do you need a diagnosis, for the school to have spent £6K first or already be receiving 20 hours of support a week. These are myths. If any of them are your LA's policy they are illegal blanket policies - the LA may need reminding of this though. You do need evidence however.

The legal threshold for an EHCNA is has or may have SEN and may need SEN provision via an EHCP.

LAs will often refuse to assess in the hope you don't appeal.

If you don't need to appeal the process takes 20 weeks. The timescales are set in law. LAs often try to run over the time limit, but you can complain and if needed hold them to account via Judicial Review.

IPSEA and SOSSEN are good resources.

I have DS' with EHCPs, both are academically able, but one has an EHCP for SEMH needs and one for ASD.

[Norestformrz]

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