To think this guidance on the safeguarding network is awful ?

[Nurserypractitioner]

Perplexing presentation and FII :

It states in the guidance for schools to basically be suspicious of parents -specifically mothers seeking a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD and then goes on to say about parents who think their child may need an ehcp??!!

A lot of children with ASD mask at school - so if an educational setting see a different presentation that’s probably due to masking yet they are saying it’s potentially a safeguarding issue and could be indicative of FII??? AIBU to think this is dangerous advice ?

For some reason I can’t link

FII? Can you clarify your post?

This

Fabricated or induced illness (apparently a new term for Münchausen’s syndrome by proxy) This advice could be terrible for SEN parents

Sadly, it is something that has to be considered. YABU.

Most parents actually just want their dc supported properly in settings - this will scare them into not asking for help and the outcomes for SEN children will suffer

This is giving me flashbacks to preschool whom declared there was absolutely nothing wrong with DD except a paranoid mother. I had expressed concerns with her speech and inability to deal with noise.

Within a week of starting Reception I was called in as they were concerned over her speech and how behind she was...

But if a parent is pushing for an assessment that has to be Multidisciplinary - they can’t influence an ADOS for example !

That extract includes the words ‘could’ and ‘can’ many times.

I’m sure that erroneously seeking a diagnosis/ support ‘could’ indicate the need for further investigation.

No one is saying it always does.

It IS a potential safeguarding issue. Seeking a diagnosis isn't automatically suspicious, but guidance such as this exists for a reason.

It's entirely possible for adults to fabricate illness for gain and children or other vulnerable people ought to be protected from that just as those who need medical help receive it.

The very premise of safeguarding though is to think the unthinkable - it's not a question of disbelieving parents who are seeking additional support in the form of EHCP or diagnosis but merely for professionals to be aware that FII is a real condition and some of the signs to look out for.

But they can’t fake it as the assessments are not for the parents - to be a proper diagnosis different professionals have to observe the child and do standardised tests ?

I just find it very worrying. I have known a lot of parents who relapsed very early their dc had some difficulties and they needed to be their child’s voice to get the support needed. This could put parents especially mothers off pushing hard for what their dc need ?

*realised

I understand why you're concerned OP. There's already such a medical bias against women that it plays well with the 'hysterical women' crowd.

That said there needs to be an awareness of it.

This advice isn't for parents, it's for professionals. Surely, in a genuine case, knowing someone might investigate thoroughly to be certain, this doesn't feature so isn't off-putting?

This is just awful, where is this guidance for schools?

There is absolutely no incentive whatsoever for a parent to suggest a diagnosis or kick off an EHCP process unless you are a total masochist.
For myself and friends around me, no joke I see so many of us suffering from PTSD, from the trauma of fighting for ones child to get the support and recognition they so desperately need. It's a horror show, so why be suspicious of us, is the narrative to be honest to keep putting up more barriers for SEN children to get the help they so desperately need. I had one child who presented every struggle in school and another who masked everything and then had a complete collapse at home because they had held it all in all day and were so desperate to fit in.

So many educational professionals think they understand kids with SEN issues and are convinced as parents we have done something, done something wrong, not done enough to cause this and can you imagine the number of parents beating themselves up over not being good enough when they are fighting so hard.

Completely agree with you here OP but some parents push and push and push when there's no concern from a schools point of view. You could argue is it abuse to even put children through assessments and observations who don't need them for the need of the parent?
I'm a teacher and sadly I've seen FII on a serious level before and it's not nice. Also, I've seen the other side; a parent who was desperately trying to support her child but we hadn't seen enough in school yet (masking etc, and we obviously can't lie about what we see). This child eventually got an EHCP as the mother applied herself and rightly so.

For some reason I can’t link but it’s the ‘perplexing presentation/ FII’ guidance on the safeguarding network there’s an article then further down this guidance for schools

@ElloraHerownspace what about financial incentive?

There is no financial incentive whatsoever apart from getting the right care for your child. My children got no support at all and we were told it costs now on average about £12k per child to go through tribunal to gain an EHCP. It is honestly harder than getting a US Green card to get an EHCP and even then the funds the school gain can be split across all the kids in school with SEN challenges irrelevant of even if they have an EHCP. Its laughable there is a financial incentive its the complete opposite, it cost us everything!

Teachers should not be diagnosing any mental health issues of a parent. This is ridiculous. I'm sure the giraffe will be along soon to tell us why teachers know all, see all and never make mistakes. In the real world we know they bloody well do. FII is so rare and incredibly hard to spot, every single parental concern should be taken seriously and not dismissed because as you say OP, masking is an actual part of neurodiversity/ADHD etc. Why are teachers being given the authority of doctors? Madness.