to ask for help from anyone who knows anything about ECH plans or occupational therapy to help me decipher this question?

[CatONineTails]

Filling out a questionnaire as part of the EHC process for my 7 yr old DS (suspected ASD with possible sensory processing issues/ADHD/dyspraxia)

Question is....

"Does your child have any significant issues with any functional activities within the school day; excluding behavioural concerns not related to health concerns/diagnosis/disability, or any mental health issues?"

That is C&Ped. Now I'm fairly literate but I'm confused with what they do and don't want to know about! It's in relation to possible occupational therapy involvement if that helps. Thank you to anyone who can help

I've been where you are and it's so daunting, there is a place called iask who helped me with it all, definitely get some professional advice. Good luck x

Thanks. Unfortunately they asked me to fill this in by letter that arrived today and there's a deadline of Tuesday to have it returned

I wouldn't worry about duplicating what you may have written in another section. From experience you have to lay it on with a trowel plus a bit more. Obviously you will need evidence to get specific support in the plan. For OT it could be anything from help tying laces or extra time changing or difficulty handwriting or the need for specialist cutlery or a lower case keyboard. Things like visual perception or spacial awareness as well, which can impact daily life. Do you have an OT report? Have a look at www.ipsea.org.uk for advice as well.

If it's OT related I'd read that as does your child have difficulties with things like fine and gross motor skills. E.g. things like holding a pencil/writing etc.

Self help skills, e.g. Dressing and undressing for pe, toiletting, organising self, getting round school, dinner times, fine motor skills, e.g. Handwriting,
Following instructions at 1,2,or 3 instruction levels,
Attending to teachers for xxx amount of minutes

There was a specific question about holding a pen and writing. And another about self care. This is just about.... I'm not sure?

I agree with lanbury. Does he need help to go to the toilet, problems in PE, getting changed, working in a group, following two or three part instructions, sharing, speaking and listening to others, using a knife and fork (if relevant).

I've just filled in form with advisor from special needs school my son attends.

She told me to repeat as much as you need even if some questions feel repetitive.

Basically (and feel free to add extra sheet of paper) think of worst school day possible and start from there.
What happens on bad days? He might have mostly good days but you have to present worst case scenario on the basis that it can happen.
Also if there are any things teachers have to do with him to help him through they wouldn't need to do with other kids write it down.

I'm reading that as any concerns with day to day stuff that IS related to any physical/SEN or mental health issues. They've used a double negative saying "excluding" issues "not" related to these. So I would be listing every problem he has undertaking day to day tasks which relate to his issues. So include any difficulties accessing the normal school activities and routines.

The online medical dictionary defines functional activities as... A task or act that allows one to meet the demands of the environment and daily life. 2. An activity that is essential to support the physical, social, and psychological well-being of a person and allows that person to function in society

So can he queue, walk up/down stairs. Is he leaving the classroom during lessons or refusing to go out at break. Is he ok in the canteen or does get upset/worried? Is he able to use the toilets or not? Are there any activities during lessons that he can’t participate in. Those kinds of things.

I know quite a few parents say they feel like they are repeating themselves lots when filling in the forms.

"Functional" in a primary school I would argue includes writing/listening/concentrating/self care/eating/PE... To function, a child needs to be able to learn/transition between activities/manage play time/ eat/ use the toilet. I would include everything.

Ok thanks, yes it was the double negative and poor use of punctuation that made me start over thinking what they actually meant!

So I'll just type everything into the box and let them sift out what they think it relevant

Just remember, the more the merrier!! Usually they refuse to assess because of "lack of evidence"!!

Write everything that he has functional issues with and if possible why. e.g. "He cannot climb the stairs more than one step at a time because of coordination difficulties" (Don't link to a diagnosis that you don't have any evidence of yet, but do link to any letters or reports that evidence what you've said)

The exclude part is read in one go and means that you do not need to put in anything that is not related to a special need e.g. "He won't open his exercise book because he doesn't like maths" should be excluded (as it is a choice he is making based on a mindset that might change) but "He won't open his exercise book because maths causes him severe anxiety and fear" should be included (it is due to a mental health condition and the behaviour won't change without additional support).