I have two primary-aged children (KS1). My daughter who I have posted about before and had lots of helpful responses has diagnosed autism, she’s been in EBSA for several months following autistic burnout. She is currently on a very reduced timetable but unlikely to be back in class any time soon. We are appealing a refusal to assess for an EHCP but have been advised by the LA to submit a fresh EHCNA with updated evidence. It’s likely to be a long battle.
My son is 5 and now showing increasing school distress. Lots of separation anxiety, dysregulation, lashing out at sibling before and after school, bolting at drop-off, saying he feels sick/homesick, attempted self harm and some really scary incidents where in a post meltdown shame spiral he tries to get hold of sharp objects (we’ve locked these all away) . He has a history of transition difficulties since nursery, sensory needs, and we’re awaiting ASD assessment. School say he masks well in class and aren’t sure with knowing what support to put in place. This has been a theme all the way through since I first started raising concerns when he was about 3
At a recent meeting, the LA officer proactively suggested we should also be thinking about an EHCNA for him sooner rather than later.
I feel slightly stunned at the idea of two children going through EBSA this young and dealing with the ECHP process for both.
It feels unusual, and I’m struggling to know whether:
- This is early EBSA and I should act fast, or
- I’m catastrophising because of what happened with my daughter.
Has anyone navigated 2 children with EBSA at once? Or submitting two EHCNAs in close succession?
I’m trying to be proactive rather than reactive, but also don’t want to escalate unnecessarily.
I’m so burnt out and exhausted, I’ve long given up hope of working for the foreseeable future, and feel like I’m drowning in referrals, SEND paperwork, trying to manage behaviour and do some home learning. The worst thing is the isolation- since this all started I feel completely abandoned. Help.