DDs teacher doesn't believe in her SN

[hotlinesling]

DD is 4. She's under assessment for ASC and has a review next month. She has a host of sensory processing issues, speech delay and complex needs regarding eating, sleeping and routines. She attends a local authority nursery school (only just 4) so has a proper teacher. I met with her teacher before she started, explaining her needs and making clear the suspected diagnosis. DDs paediatrician gave me the CAST questionnaire to complete and one for her teacher, too. Her teacher has not answered the questions, she's simply written: 'hotlineslings dd presents as a normal 4 year old.'

DD doesn't play with any other children at nursery. She doesn't talk to anyone. She won't use the toilet, have a snack or drink. She won't play outside. She will do as she's asked by teachers to avoid confrontation. She is anxious and scratches herself until she bleeds. She is withdrawn after nursery and isn't enjoying it at all. I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing by sending her if her teacher isn't supportive and DD isn't happy. I want to approach this with her teacher this week but am unsure how. Aibu to be annoyed that her teacher refused to complete the questionnaire properly?

This is a disgraceful response from you DDs teacher OP :( If a parent came to me with your concerns, even if I did not share them, I would go through each of them with her, and show her examples of how she presents at nursery. With photos and observations. I would take the parents concerns seriously though, because children can always behave differently at home, and I am not qualified to diagnose, so getting a professional opinion to put a parents mind at ease is a good move.

Who told you about the examples you have listed? who said " DD doesn't play with any other children at nursery. She doesn't talk to anyone. She won't use the toilet, have a snack or drink. She won't play outside." Because I would be worried that a child displaying these behaviours, either wasn't settled, and at the very least was having some difficulty and needed some help. 20+ years experience or not- these are basic goals of the EYFS that she should be working within.

I don't see how they could pass this information on to you, then brush your concerns off. If she says DD is 'a normal 4 year old' What is she basing that on? Where is her evidence? Do her observations of DD contradict what you were told?

I would definitely recommend taking these issues up with the head teacher & SENCO. They cannot give you these examples of concerns, and then say everything is fine. It's not fair & really unprofessional, they have a duty to help your DD with each of the concerns listed, and to work with the advice and guidance of other professionals.

Tell her you don't believe in such idiot teachers, yet here she stands.

I would give the form as is to the doctor and explain that she refuses to cooperate and any evaluation she gives will be spitefully biased. Ask if there is an alternative to her evaluation, as she isn't qualified to assess SN's anyway.

Communicate with the specialist, I'm sure they've come across this type of crap before and can direct you to the right resources to find an alternative.

Good luck with going in, I think taking info about how girls present is a good idea, a lot of people just aren't aware. I'm really hoping this is just a 'rogue' teacher and not a school - wide attitude. Any Head Teacher worth their salt would be cross /want to tear a strip off a member of staff who was being so obstructive.

I'm hoping you come away from this meeting feeling that the school will at least follow the correct process, whether they agree with you or not. I've had to fill in umpteen forms as part of my job. They take a wee while because I sit and think about the questions and answer them honestly, not because I'm trying to diagnose, but because I'm trying to give an accurate factual picture of how the child behaves/what I observe.

If you don't come away feeling reassured, and that this is just one ridiculous teacher, I would seriously look at moving schools yo one that has more empathy/experience in SEN as otherwise you may be having to fight all the way.

I'm a teacher with years of experience throughout primary, and extensive knowledge of a wide range of additionsl needs.
I think not completing the questionairre accurately and honestly is arrogant and obstructive. And lazy.
Yes, I'd ask further up the chain of command, it's within her professional duties. Get the SENCO and head involved, and the paediatrician.

Just wrote a long paragraph and then this daft tablet decided to just freeze, so i'll try and be brief.

How long has your dd been at the nursery?

I would inform the Paediatrician that the nursery are obstructing the course of diagnosis by refusing to fill out the questionnaire fully and see what the Paediatrician says, then I would see the head person at the nursery and see what she/he says about what has been written on the questionnaire then inform them that it is obstructing the diagnosis procedure and that you expect them to comply with the Paediatricians request or you will report further up the chain.

Good luck.

Senpai

How did you get on hotlinesling? Im secretly hoping that you slam dunked her into touch

It went well, actually. I think she's been paying more attention to dd because she had noticed differences now. We've arranged that she can take her own snack and drink to see if that helps and the hand dryer will be switched off to see if that makes a difference. DD has mentioned a particular child regularly so her teacher is going to try and foster that friendship. Fingers crossed things improve for her now as her teacher agreed to look again at the CAST.