I'm an educational psychologist AMA

[thisisasurvivor]

Hello all

LA EP here

Ask me anything

@User2346 I trained in a pathfinder LA when ehcps had just been introduced so been writing the ehc advice for almost 11 years now

Some I have seen are very poor quality

Many Ep's are over stretched and very stressed with the broken system

What do you put down the rise in ADHD and autism to?

Increased awareness

Epigenetics

Environmental factors

Research is still on- going

Some professors I worked with strongly held the belief that older fathers having kids now is more common and that should be taken into account

So many requests for ehc needs assessments recently for students with adhd who can't cope in school and Covid had a major role in this too
After lockdown they couldn't manage and many refused to go back

Just because they are overstretched does not give them the right to downplay needs and fight parents in a tribunal. That is a cop out and I don’t know how some of these LA Ed Psychs sleep at night. As for the stress I can guarantee if any decent Ed Psych went independent and did a half decent job they will never be out of work.

@Bananagram24

You have to have GBR before applying for the course, so unless you have this through an undergrad you wouldn't be able to apply until the end of 2026, to start in 2027.

@User2346 it is so bloody frustrating

And I'm sad to hear your experience
Many parents have been through utter hell

Hi - my DD is currently doing a psychology degree at Cardiff and has wanted to be an educational psychologist for a while now so is planning to do her 2 years work experience after uni then hopefully get onto a doctorate course. She currently works full time in holidays to pay for her uni expenses so it's hard to find time to get any work experience in the holidays at say nurseries/camps etc working with children. How important would you say that sort of extra experience is when applying for the doctorate? She is prepared to move wherever she needs to during that time as she is very determined to achieve this.

A while back some courses would consider those just about to complete GBR??

This was some time ago so no doubt there have been changes

2-3 years experience is key

On my course there was half of the group had been teachers
Quite a few worked as assistant EPs
Lots were TAs for at least 3 years before applying

I think the poster is saying that it is becoming a bit of a trend to be ND. I will reply to this poster, and say the only thing contagious regarding ND children, is awareness. They're not labelled as "the naughty child" like they're were years ago. Th3 rise is partly due to a greater understanding, as well as more clinicians who can make the diagnosis.

Spot on

That's very true

Sorry i forgot to include tne quote!

I think the poster is saying that it is becoming a bit of a trend to be ND. I will reply to this poster, and say the only thing contagious regarding ND children, is awareness. They're not labelled as "the naughty child" like they're were years ago. Th3 rise is partly due to a greater understanding, as well as more clinicians who can make the diagnosis.

@MUCHtodoAboutSomething yes indeed

If you had a child you had to observe/assess but they weren’t in school due to EBSA would there be an alternative way to do this?

What is your current salary and benefits package?

It would be possible to do this through video calls
( quite a few video calls )
Speak with school staff and parents too

Many students in this situation don't want to meet professionals face to face

Part time take home per month is 2200

I do extra remote assessments for around 1300 each assessment

My child is going into year 1 in September. We all agree he needs support and we’re applying for a EHCP for him. As part of the process I’m told we will meet with an Educational psychologist. What advice could you offer to us in advocating for him?

Thank you, that’s reassuring that it could still be done! My daughter has struggled to go in to school since April 😔

They may turn you down first time
Don't let that deter you in any way

Don't be afraid to ask to see the EP report and make suggestions

Can be really helpful in many ways

Have as many reports as you can possibly get

They will ask for plan do review evidence and the senco will collate all of that too

Oblahdeeoblahdoe
What do you put down the rise in ADHD and autism to?

Increased awareness

Epigenetics

Environmental factors

What are the environmental factors?

Hi, how is learning disability diagnosed please?

ds has severe autism. He had various tests by an ep for his secondary transfer (tribunal). The ep is also a child Psychologist. We asked about learning disability but he said he couldn't dx. Ds results were incredibly low most lower than first percentile but one in the wiisc was in the 9th percentile.