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School denying diagnosed SEN. Where to turn?

109 replies

CanYouSeeWhatISee · 28/05/2023 19:14

DS10 (11 in August and moving to high school in September) has recently been diagnosed with Autism. His 3 year old sibling also has an autism diagnosis but his is much more pronounced.

DS10’s school have repeatedly told me they don’t believe he is autistic and they would never support the diagnosis because he is sociable; their responses throughout the assessment support their view that he is not autistic.

DS is a lovely boy and he is very well behaved but his sensory needs are impacting our whole family and this was the reason for the referral for assessment.

He is constantly on the move whether it’s running , jumping, spinning , shrieking, hitting, crashing in to things etc . It makes doing any very small task exhausting. The whole experience every day is exhausting. He can sometimes be calm if he has a sensory toy in hand but he still shrieks and is unpredictable. He also does dangerous things in order to get some sensory feedback.

The constant movement and noise also upsets his little brother who can not stand it so it adds to the battles.

DS10 was assessed by an educational psychologist who could see how anxious he is in school and explained to his teachers that he is trying hard to mask his need to seek feedback.

DS10 was then referred for a sensory assessment and both myself and his school were sent forms. I’ve received a copy of the forms in the post yesterday and unsurprisingly the school’s responses are opposite to mine and DH’s. DS10 has now been discharged with no further action needed.

We are frustrated to say the least. I understand school can only write what they see in the classroom but I feel they think I’m lying or exaggerating.

WIBU to ask for DS10 to be seen again?

OP posts:
Wavingnotdrown1ng · 28/05/2023 20:30

Quisquam · 28/05/2023 20:18

It’s very strange how schools and LAs say they can’t accept private reports, because parents pay to tell the professionals what to say. My LA has produced a report on DD, that is a load of garbage; and they say they can’t change it, because it was produced by an independent professional!

Also, the NHS contracts out some of its autism diagnoses to the private sector. Various different types of professional can give ASD diagnoses, if they have completed the right training, such as OTs, speech therapists and social workers. There are various different assessments and it is hard to be allowed to do the training and certification for them - the most prestigious ones require professional referees to vouch for you and a considerable amount of relevant experience.

SRK16 · 28/05/2023 20:25

If you have an MDT assessment from within the NHS, I would be making a formal complaint if they are continuing to dispute the diagnosis and not making appropriate adaptations. Contact SENDIASS to support you.

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/05/2023 20:25

ThomasWasTortured · 28/05/2023 20:21

The link you provided was for adults, it says so right there in the link. I didn’t say a psychologist alone could diagnose, I was pointing out your link was for adults and a psychiatrist wasn’t essential to a diagnosis.

Sorry. I misunderstood what you were saying. I only wanted to clarify that Psychologists cannot give the diagnosis by themselves.

CanYouSeeWhatISee · 28/05/2023 20:24

Do they usually overturn a decision not to give an EHCP at appeal? I thought that had a very low success rate in comparison to assessments?

OP posts:
ThomasWasTortured · 28/05/2023 20:22

Request another EHCNA and appeal if refused. The majority of appeals are successful. LAs rely on parents giving up.

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/05/2023 20:22

CanYouSeeWhatISee · 28/05/2023 20:16

To confirm it was an MDT assessment with the NHS which resulted in an autism diagnosis.

Then yes the school cannot simply refuse.

If the MDT gave a diagnosis despite the school not supporting it it would suggest that the medical evidence/observations were compelling.

NewNovember · 28/05/2023 20:22

*six

NewNovember · 28/05/2023 20:21

VDisappointing · 28/05/2023 19:49

I am bit confused about who diagnosed him as both myself and my children are neuro diverse and I know an educational psychologist can not diagnose a child with autism only a psychiatrist can. Which is why maybe the school is not accepting the autism?
please google infant reflexes not going dormant as this can also be a reason for sensory overload.

I have sox autistic children one private 5 nhs not one saw a psychiatrist.

ThomasWasTortured · 28/05/2023 20:21

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/05/2023 20:18

No it was my DC.

Yes paediatricians can ( although not in my area) but no psychologists cant give a diagnosis alone.

The link you provided was for adults, it says so right there in the link. I didn’t say a psychologist alone could diagnose, I was pointing out your link was for adults and a psychiatrist wasn’t essential to a diagnosis.

CanYouSeeWhatISee · 28/05/2023 20:18

I did not appeal as I felt defeated at this point. The reports from the psychologist whilst recognising some difficulties, was not very good. Also, school told them that they would never apply for an EHCP for DS as he manages fine with minimal support .

OP posts:
Quisquam · 28/05/2023 20:18

It’s very strange how schools and LAs say they can’t accept private reports, because parents pay to tell the professionals what to say. My LA has produced a report on DD, that is a load of garbage; and they say they can’t change it, because it was produced by an independent professional!

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/05/2023 20:18

ThomasWasTortured · 28/05/2023 20:09

That’s for adults, not children. Psychiatrists aren’t always involved with children or adolescent assessments, including in the NHS where in some areas assessments are undertaken by paediatricians and not via CAMHS.

No it was my DC.

Yes paediatricians can ( although not in my area) but no psychologists cant give a diagnosis alone.

CanYouSeeWhatISee · 28/05/2023 20:16

To confirm it was an MDT assessment with the NHS which resulted in an autism diagnosis.

OP posts:
ThomasWasTortured · 28/05/2023 20:16

Did you appeal the refusal to issue? Request another EHCNA and appeal if the LA refusal to issue.

Do you have an indoor mini trampoline &/or indoor sensory swing?

Quisquam · 28/05/2023 20:15

It may be different for adults, but DD was diagnosed with ADHD by a psychologist at the CMHT. I went with her, to give my recollections about her school reports and teachers’ comments, as well as her childhood at home.

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/05/2023 20:14

CountryParsonPetal · 28/05/2023 20:04

@Willyoujustbequiet it's illegal not to accept a qualified private assessment!

Don't get me started on that useless Panorama episode. That was not a robustly made documentary, just very flimsy journalism that can not be taken seriously.

Panorama was shocking indeed but there were real individuals and companies involved carrying out unethical assessments, misdiagnosing people and prescribing dangerous drugs that were not warranted.

It was an absolute disgrace tbh and revealed a very unpalatable side of the private medical sector. My surgery does not accept private diagnoses for ADHD medication for this very reason.

Its a scandal that NHS waits are so long that desperate people feel they are forced to turn to a private diagnosis when some unscrupulous people simply prey on the vulnerable.

CanYouSeeWhatISee · 28/05/2023 20:12

I applied for an EHCP for him when he was in Year 4 as DS3 has one in place so I know the process. DS10 school Sendco was not on board. The assessment was refused and I won at appeal but never went on to get an EHCP as his school could meet his “mild” needs.

I can not explain what is like on a daily basis; he is not naughty but he is exhausting. As I am typing this, he is in another room jumping as hard as he can on the floor, spinning and jumping and diving on to cushions. It all sounds like typical young boy play but it is the excess of it which is not normal. He still needs a lot of support with daily care because he can’t get anything finished without being distracted looking for feedback.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 28/05/2023 20:10

Blort · 28/05/2023 19:55

Autism does not need a psychiatrist to diagnose, that's ADHD

In my LA, its a MDT panel that determines am ASD diagnosis. One aspect would be an EP report, but there would be other reports / observations / assessments carried out by school, Speech therapists, OTs / paediatrician etc. A child psychiatrist sits on the panel. reports from the EP may say the child shows traits of ASD, but doesn’t give an actual diagnosis.

ThomasWasTortured · 28/05/2023 20:09

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/05/2023 20:03

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/professionals-involved/autistic-adults

This would suggest not. Psychologists can obviously be part of the MDT but psychiatrists give the diagnosis itself.

That's what was CAMHS policy anyway.

That’s for adults, not children. Psychiatrists aren’t always involved with children or adolescent assessments, including in the NHS where in some areas assessments are undertaken by paediatricians and not via CAMHS.

Hankunamatata · 28/05/2023 20:08

So it it isnt the school are not denying the diagnosis just that they don't have concerns about his behaviour in the classroom? Is that correct? The teacher can only write what they see.

What are you hoping for the outcome to be since they are moving to high school in September?

Ilovealido · 28/05/2023 20:07

Blort · 28/05/2023 20:04

A private diagnosis obtained according to NICE guidelines legally has to be accepted by authorities/school/CAMHS etc.

Just wanted to clarify for the many incorrect statements on this thread.

Thank you 🙏

Blort · 28/05/2023 20:06

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/05/2023 20:03

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/professionals-involved/autistic-adults

This would suggest not. Psychologists can obviously be part of the MDT but psychiatrists give the diagnosis itself.

That's what was CAMHS policy anyway.

That link is for autistic adults.

CAMHS may have their own criteria but the legally accepted diagnositic criteria is to follow the NICE guidelines. Not what camhs say.

HecticHedgehog · 28/05/2023 20:05

Apply for an EHC needs assessment. You can state he needs one as school refuse to accept the diagnosis and out recommended ep,support in place. I also suggest you have a browse of the Ipsea website.

You can always tell who the school staff are on these posts by the 'they don't qualify for an EHC needs assessment' and 'schools don't have to accept private diagnosis' nonsense.

Blort · 28/05/2023 20:04

A private diagnosis obtained according to NICE guidelines legally has to be accepted by authorities/school/CAMHS etc.

Just wanted to clarify for the many incorrect statements on this thread.

CountryParsonPetal · 28/05/2023 20:04

@Willyoujustbequiet it's illegal not to accept a qualified private assessment!

Don't get me started on that useless Panorama episode. That was not a robustly made documentary, just very flimsy journalism that can not be taken seriously.