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Original poster

What will an educational psychologist help with ?

26 replies

daughterWithasdadhd · 02/10/2021 20:04

Dd has asd and adhd. School want to involve the educational psychologist but are vague as to why !!

Does anyone else have this and can you advice me what will they do help us ?
We haven’t asked for additional support as currently she is ok but the dx was private and the recommendations are already in the report.

I asked what will happen but just can’t find out - if you have this same issue what happens ? Do I need to ask for any help or is this just standard

OP posts:
parrotonmyshoulder · 02/10/2021 20:05

You are very lucky. Schools have very little EP time and it is very expensive. It sounds like they want more advice on how to support your child!

parrotonmyshoulder · 02/10/2021 20:06

If she is ‘currently okay’ (how old is she?) but you think she may need extra support in the future, please understand that this may take a long time to secure, so good to start the process early. I can’t imagine any school would give additional support to a child who doesn’t need it.

Throughabushbackwards · 02/10/2021 20:09

In our experience they diagnose and make recommendations for the child's education going forward. It's not therapy or anything like that.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

SEN
Autumngoldleaf · 02/10/2021 20:12

Be careful op, they don't have much time so they may not be able to diagnose deeply

Original poster
daughterWithasdadhd · 02/10/2021 20:17

@Autumngoldleaf

Be careful op, they don't have much time so they may not be able to diagnose deeply
Yes I feel a bit ……odd about it if that makes sense ?

We have a diagnosis, recommendations, a plan, things are ‘ok’ but just not sure as we keep asking what is the process what will happen and get told the EP will assess the situation

OP posts:
Original poster
daughterWithasdadhd · 02/10/2021 20:18

@Throughabushbackwards

In our experience they diagnose and make recommendations for the child's education going forward. It's not therapy or anything like that.
Oh….. that’s odd as we’ve done that but already !!!!
OP posts:
Original poster
daughterWithasdadhd · 02/10/2021 20:19

She has dreadful organisational skills so we thought perhaps was to do with that ? Maybe not. We asked and got no answer! She has a planner now she helps to write stuff in etc and we are helping as that’s the main issue she gets flustered from disorganisation and then stressed that can lead to meltdown

OP posts:
Sprogonthetyne · 02/10/2021 20:21

When DS saw one it was mostly evidence gathering for his EHCP application, could they be thinking she will need help in the future, so looking to get her needs documented.

Wowcherarestalkingme · 02/10/2021 20:21

When I involve an EP with any children at my school it is for one of two reasons. The first being the child is having educational difficulties and I want more specific, detailed knowledge of the child and how to help them. The second is because my local authority likes to have an EP involved before I can apply for an ehcp (additional financial support).
It depends on what they are asking them to do, but most EPs will meet with you as parents, the senco and the class team and the child. They may observe the child and then do some 1-1 assessments with them. They will then feedback to everyone and write a report.
It seems odd that they can’t verbalise why they are getting an EP involved. Mine won’t see a child without me giving them a specific reason as it may be they feel it’s not an EP situation.

Kerikerikeri · 02/10/2021 20:23

In my experience, Ed Psychs become involved when there are barriers to a child fully engaging in education.

Howshouldibehave · 02/10/2021 20:24

Either for useful input from an external professional to go with a Needs Assessment request or if not, to get specific advice on how to meet their needs in class.

QueenofLouisiana · 02/10/2021 20:28

Could be for any of the following: processing strengths/ weaknesses, language processing, discrepancies between understanding in particular areas of learning (ie specific learning difficulties), support with areas of anxiety (I've sought help for children with tics or pica for instance), organisational difficulties, advice on future school settings....

DH works in a school which only accepts children with a diagnosis of ASD/ socio-communication difficulties but they must also have the capacity to work at an age appropriate level or have a wisc-v score of 95 or above. An EP would be needed for that sort of assessment.

Generally it is because the school have tried what they can already to support the child, but want to fine tune it or feel that they are not fully meeting the needs of the child and want a better plan of action.

It costs us about £500 to get 2 children seen and the reports written.

Autumngoldleaf · 02/10/2021 20:29

Op I hate to sound like a cynic but do be carful and wary.

Getting an ehcp is not easy and often schools Senco and even councils do not understand the law around them.

It could be open and honest and trying to help your child. It could also be a move to gather evidence against putting an ehcp in place.

parrotonmyshoulder · 02/10/2021 20:31

Autumngoldleaf

Op I hate to sound like a cynic but do be carful and wary.

Why would a school want to not have an EHCP if one was warranted? I don’t understand what you are saying.

Throughabushbackwards · 02/10/2021 20:41

Is it a private EP assessment you already have, OP? Our child's school had to have the LA's EP in to assess him despite the private diagnosis. As PP have said, it seems they can't get additional support if they haven't had the right EP sign it off.

Howshouldibehave · 02/10/2021 20:55

It could also be a move to gather evidence against putting an ehcp in place

Why would a school pay for an EP assessment for this reason?!

hamilfanz · 02/10/2021 21:00

Most people fight to get an Ed Psych assessment. Maybe school just want to make sure they are offering all the support they can, maybe they are building evidence for an EHCP. Either way it's a good thing.

Howshouldibehave · 02/10/2021 21:03

Do the school struggle to manage her needs/behaviour? Have they mentioned requesting a statutory assessment?

I’d ask them what they hope to achieve by this, before you sign the consent form.

hamilfanz · 02/10/2021 21:03

Generally diagnoses reports don't give enough detail for schools. An Ed psych will give specific recommendations for you child to help them access education and hopefully reach their potential and maintain good mental health. At least that's the theory. I've seen good, bad and meh Ed psych assessments in my short time in the SEN world!

kitcat15 · 02/10/2021 21:12

Round here you need an EP assessment to get an ehcp

Howshouldibehave · 02/10/2021 21:13

I have got EHC plans agreed without an EP report, but it certainly makes things easier.

HelloDulling · 02/10/2021 21:16

Who did your private report? Not an Ed Psych?

Original poster
daughterWithasdadhd · 03/10/2021 16:04

@HelloDulling

Who did your private report? Not an Ed Psych?
No it wasn’t an Ed psychologist there was a team of professionals but a clinical psychologist not Educational
OP posts:
Autumngoldleaf · 03/10/2021 16:09

@kitcat15

Not legally true at least in England.

School's have to fund the first few thousand pounds of money

parrotonmyshoulder · 03/10/2021 17:12

Not all LAs are equal….!