To ask if you have had an experience with an educational psychologist, was it helpful?

[Daisymccleod]

I'm a newly qualified educational psychologist. Just wondered what people thought?

My experience with an EP was so bad it put me off looking for support for ds. She came to his pre school to meet me and the leader to advise on ways of dealing with ds. At the time he was 3 1/2 and was showing ASD traits and was very aggressive with other children. She did not observe him or meet him but instead based her 'advice' on information about what children with ASD are 'usually like'. I sat for an hour listening to utter rubbish about his poor language (ds' language has always been excellent), how he would be lacking in imagination ( he has only ever played imaginative games. At that age spent hours playing Happyland and playmobil in imaginative ways). She refused to meet him or observe him unless she felt it was necessary, despite me saying her advice didn't seem relevant to him.
I decided then that I would work out what would help ds by myself.

Very bad first experience. Asked for referral for dd then aged 9. She was Lying stealing attention seeking behaviour very extreme and I didn't know how to cope. Went along and gave history as I expected to. Was told in no uncertain terms her behaviour was at the higher end of extreme as a result of me being a full time working single mum. She asked leading questions to her like 'you must miss daddy' 'mummy working all day must make you miss out on things'
I left with self esteem in tatters and believing my parenting skills were rubbish too. I wish I had the confidence to disagree as dd is now 24 with severe mh problems and personality disorders none of which are caused by single parenthood.

Yes we had a professionals meeting it didn't go well. Ed Phyc and school were saying we needed to push for ASD diagnosis as they felt that was her primary need. Me and CAMHS felt ADHD is her primary need plus she will reject the label and refuses ADOS so it is thought she is ASD but she will not have an assesment so short of physically forcing her there my hands are tied. School have done nothing EP suggested but claim they have despite no evidence and DD swears blind they don't.

Sorry long commute home- so sorry to hear of bad experiences but they do not really surprise me. I have felt that ep input and how the service makes the ep deliver it can be not really what children their parents or schools want/ thought they were getting/need. And with any profession, there are some good ones and bad ones. Sorry not to reply individually, I will try and respond better either later or tomorrow. Thanks again for all posts

Also - now ep services are mainly traded it makes it more difficult to do any real casework as no one wants to pay for it

I am due to see and Ed psychologish tomorrow for DD (4). Any tips on what to expect?

Well they will probably ask you lots of questions, answer any you might have and be nice and helpful

I hope!

I've had absolutely amazing and pretty awful too, both private, both during the statementing process. Also had an LA one for statutory assessment, it was far less thorough and the report was written so vaguely as to be virtually useless. She genuinely seemed to want to help, but I'm glad we were able to go private.

We are lucky because DS has pupil premium plus suspect the school has used that to fund his CBT.

Hibble, make a note of all your concerns, dating right back to birth, any failure to meet developmental milestones etc, any interventions by other professionals to date. That is all very relevant.