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Original poster

ADD EHCP

105 replies

ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 12:34

We are going to have our EHCP meeting at school which I requested at a Local Council. I would appreciate any advice about what to mention, and what to say...

My Y6 DS has ADD and exhibits symptoms of dyspraxia. This includes his PE, coordination and inability to handwrite longer pieces. It's not only about the legibility of his handwriting ( awful) but, most importantly, his hand gets tired very quickly. The handwriting struggle affects the development of his writing skills, particularly in creating stories. Last year, the teacher paid no attention to my recommendation of allowing my DS to type. Only half a year later did the message sink in for her, but it had already affected my son's writing skills.

Therefore, I would like the option of typing longer pieces of accommodation to be included in the EHCP statement, so I don't have to struggle with the lack of communication between SEN and the teacher, to say the least.
We are unlikely to get a 1:1 ratio because my DS is above the expected levels in maths and reading. This is due to the fact that he is very bright and my hard work with him at home. He could benefit from somebody helping him to pay attention as he is inattentive and his mind flies around even during tests.
CAMHS rejected him as he is missing that H in ADHD. He is not impulsive or hyper. He is calm, just inattentive. This is confirmed by the teachers who struggle to keep him focused but not enough for CAMHS
I am struggling to get an appointment with a paediatrician specializing in such cases. My GP says the referral should come from the school, but the school has done nothing despite I have been raising this issue since Year 3.
Now, after I completed the EHCP request, the SEN at school suddenly started panicking and completed the referral to OT. OT responded that they had already spoken with the school's SEN about it and sent a letter requesting referral forms. The school sent me a scan of a letter addressed to the school's SEN lady asking if I had heard about it. I must admit I was shocked that they sent me a letter that wasn't addressed to me and they clearly lost!
Last year, SEN wanted to meet regularly with my son, but it never happened. When I asked why it never took place, I received loads of excuses. I was truly fed up with it and that is why I think that only EHCP may help.

Any advice before EHCP meeting? Many thanks in advance

OP posts:
YellowRosesWithRedTips · 03/10/2023 21:13

OP, it’s important so I will mention it again, if the LA refuse to assess you should appeal. The most recent statistics show 92.2% of refusal to assess appeals are upheld.

disorgansiedmess not necessarily panic, but parental EHCNA requests do make some schools pull their finger out like the OP describes.

Disorganisedmess2023 · 03/10/2023 21:08

ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 18:26

Well then explain me the reason why SENCo contacted OT immediately after she got a letter from EHCP office? What wasn't it if not panic ?The very same day. Before- zero input despite my numerous requests.

I do not fear battle with school more than I fear about my son' s condition

Show quote history

You have a very inflated opinion of your power if you think asking for an EHCP referral causes panic. The school will see this many, many times a year. You need to look at this from both sides and not just yours or you'll get no where. SEND is a messed up, massively underfunded area but that's not the schools fault. You have self diagnosed and said he needs x, y and z but it doesn't seem for one second that you stopped and considered the other side. Your son is achieving well. Thousands of kids each year struggle to concentrate. It doesn't mean they all have ADD. Even if he does have ADD why would he suddenly start needing an EHCP?

Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 21:00

Well I am pretty sure they didn't spend thousand and thousand pounds as it was just reading form and coming to a meeting at school that will take place soon.

It’s the whole statutory assessment process that costs thousands-having to get an EP to assess is a part of that. Many requests to assess never happen though.

Good luck with your meeting-is it with a case officer at the LA?

FatandRoundBouncingontheGround · 03/10/2023 20:27

Undertaking statutory assessment costs thousands. Going to tribunal if necessary costs thousands. All because a school is being crap. Not your fault, but what a system.

Extract from Lamb (2019).

ADD EHCP
Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 20:20

No I have not contacted the SEN governor

I’d recommend contacting both the SEN governor and the head tomorrow.

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 20:17

@FatandRoundBouncingontheGround

No I have not contacted the SEN governor, and just dealt with school SEN dep.
Well I am pretty sure they didn't spend thousand and thousand pounds as it was just reading form and coming to a meeting at school that will take place soon.

Of course the system is wrong. There parent's concerns should not be left at a mercy of SENCo

OP posts:
FatandRoundBouncingontheGround · 03/10/2023 20:13

This is a quality assurance issue really. There is no doubt that OP's school has not followed the code of practice.

OP have you tried contacting the SEN governor for a discussion? Going for an ehcp seems like such a hammer to crack a nut. Thousands and thousands of pounds in administration to get a school to make a referral and issue a laptop. The system is wrong.

Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 19:12

I am waiting for EHCP at least to encourage her to do referrals to the paediatrician

It’s sounding quite likely that your request for a Statutory Assessment/EHCP will be declined. Is your child on the SEN register?

At that stage, I just gave up

Don’t give up. Keep pushing for the referral to paediatrics. Speak to the head tomorrow and say the SENCo said she would do this referral in June and it hasn’t been done, please can they intervene and chase it up.

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 18:26

Disorganisedmess2023 · 03/10/2023 13:18

I can assure you that no one at school will have panicked because you want an EHCP. Either work with the school sensibly and try to understand their point of view or move your son to a different school. A battle doesn't help anybody, including your son.

Show quote history

Well then explain me the reason why SENCo contacted OT immediately after she got a letter from EHCP office? What wasn't it if not panic ?The very same day. Before- zero input despite my numerous requests.

I do not fear battle with school more than I fear about my son' s condition

OP posts:
Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 18:03

>That’s really crap. I think I would suggest you email the SENCo weekly asking if she’s written the referral yet!

At the beginning I did. She was telling me about how busy she is. She also was going to meet my son on a weekly basis to address his social issues. She volunteered to do that during my meeting with the teacher and herself. She had one meeting and then another 3 months passed...nothing. So I asked her cc: pastoral care. And I heard the whole story how busy she was etc...It was late June and at that point, I was fed up. I was waiting for CAMHS response then.

CAMHS came back and said: no ASD, for ADHD he is lacking hyperactivity and impulsivity. Review in 12 months
ED Psychologist said: All behaviours within range of expectations. Talk to OT

and SENCo only panicked when I started EHCP process. She immediately contacted OT who told her that they sent her in March the letter requesting to complete it. Letter addressed to the school and to her... She asked me if I heard about it anything because she had seen this letter just now. At that stage, I just gave up and I am waiting for EHCP at least to encourage her to do referrals to the paediatrician. Anything progress will be good. I cannot let my son go to school alone because when I tried he nearly was hit by the car because he is so inattentive. I heard about it from other parents who were on the street then

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 17:49

numerous times. Even planned regular meeting with DS. All it was....hot air

That’s really crap. I think I would suggest you email the SENCo weekly asking if she’s written the referral yet!

DrMarshaFieldstone · 03/10/2023 17:35

OP, the wait in my area for ASD assessment is nearly two years from the point that the specialist assessment service receive the referral. If you can afford to pursue a reputable, multidisciplinary private diagnosis I would strongly recommend it.

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 17:12

@Shinyandnew1

>I was talking specifically about a referral to the paediatrician-which is how a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD would be given in many cases.

I asked for it but they said that this is CAMHS that evaluates for ASD and ADHD so the school and I completed forms and waited for half a year
And I have been asking SENCo for referrals since year 3.

I had several meetings and they said it is OT who should be contacted. And then comes the story that made me call OT to understand what is going on with lost letters and some discussions.

In the meantime, I asked GP for referral to paediatrician but she says that it is a school that should do it as it falls under learning difficulties

>Have they said they won’t support it (why?)

nobody stated anything like that. Everybody acknowledges problem

>or have said they will do one and then haven’t done it?

numerous times. Even planned regular meeting with DS. All it was ....hot air

OP posts:
YellowRosesWithRedTips · 03/10/2023 17:06

It sounds like CAMHS undertake ADD/ADHD assessments in the OP’s area.

Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 17:04

I was talking specifically about a referral to the paediatrician-which is how a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD would be given in many cases.

Have you had meetings with the class teacher/s and SENCo together where you have asked for this paediatric referral? Have they said they won’t support it (why?) or have said they will do one and then haven’t done it?

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 16:57

Maybe I will state it again for the benefit of Shiny:

We were referred to CAMHS by SENCo
We were referred do Ed Psych by SENCo
We were promised to be refered to OT and a total mess emerged as described in the initial post.

In order the above to happen obviously we had meetings, how otherwise it would have taken place.

Yes, Yellow, you are correct on both points made.

OP posts:
YellowRosesWithRedTips · 03/10/2023 16:53

Shinyandnew1 as a SENCO you must know not all schools are the same. In some schools teachers repeatedly raise difficulties without the SENCO making onwards referrals.

You, as someone who knows the system, may have requested a meeting years ago, but many parents don’t because they put trust in the school’s process and/or don’t understand the system. It is clear from the OP’s posts she doesn’t understand the SEN system. I also suspect English isn’t her first language.

It isn’t necessarily true nothing with happen if the LA refuse to assess or refuse to issue, sometimes the pupil still ends up with more input than previously. Which is the case here with OT being contacted.

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 16:51

@Shinyandnew1

Dear Shiny, perhaps you would like to read my first and the original post because the questions you state suggest that you have not read it.

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 16:36

ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 16:32

They said he has huge attention and coordination problems- to be specific.
Yes, they contacted SEN who is in school. The rest of the story is in the initial post.

>ut none of them will support a referral to see a paediatrician to discuss this?

where did you get that info from? It is SEN Co who does referrals not the teacher.

Edited

What do you mean they contacted ‘SEN who is in school’?

SEN isn’t a role. Do you mean the senco?

I am a senco-I do referrals to paediatrics, OTs and SaLTs day in day out. I do them with the class teacher-they know the children inside out. The reports are written together and I make the referral. If the teachers all completely agree with you, but the senco doesn’t, have you had a meeting with teacher/senco together to get to the bottom of this? I would have done this years ago.

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 16:32

They said he has huge attention and coordination problems- to be specific.
Yes, they contacted SEN who is in school. The rest of the story is in the initial post.

>ut none of them will support a referral to see a paediatrician to discuss this?

where did you get that info from? It is SEN Co who does referrals not the teacher.

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 16:27

ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 16:05

@Shinyandnew1

Every single teacher suggested that. Also, DS grandma is a neurologist ( in another country) with 45 years of practice. She also believes he has dyspraxia and ADD can be associated with it too

Every single teacher he has had for the last 6 years thinks he has ADD, but none of them will support a referral to see a paediatrician to discuss this?

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 16:05

@Shinyandnew1

Every single teacher suggested that. Also, DS grandma is a neurologist ( in another country) with 45 years of practice. She also believes he has dyspraxia and ADD can be associated with it too

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 03/10/2023 16:02

ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 14:14

@Sirzy

>Even if it is decided he doesn’t need an ehcp after the assessment phase at least the process will mean ED psych and other professionals will need to provide reports which can help understand needs more.

exactly. I will be happy if that moves the process towards diagnosis and some help

Not necessarily. If they decide not to do a statutory assessment at the end of the 6 weeks, nothing will happen at all.

My Y6 DS has ADD

So, you think he might have ADD, but he hasn’t got any sort of diagnosis?

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 03/10/2023 14:32

Have you thought about going private, not sure of the costs in your area but might be worth considering if you can

Original poster
ADogAndThreeCats · 03/10/2023 14:14

@Sirzy

>Even if it is decided he doesn’t need an ehcp after the assessment phase at least the process will mean ED psych and other professionals will need to provide reports which can help understand needs more.

exactly. I will be happy if that moves the process towards diagnosis and some help

OP posts: