to resent being told my ds is "fine" when I just know he isn't (and want help accordingly)

[emkana]

He has just turned four.

He has short-limbed dwarfism - he is the height of an average two year old.

He has moderate hearing loss due to glue ear.

He has constant respiratory infections.

He has speech and language delay, pronunciation is very unclear, expressive language delayed and his comprehension is on the 7th percentile according to the Reynell Language Scales.

He has extreme separation anxiety.

He refuses to be potty-trained.

... yet preschool think he's "fine" because he cooperates in their sessions and doesn't cause problems, SALT thinks he'll be "fine" because he cooperated with the Reynell test...

I feel he is just slipping through the net, not "problematic" enough to get any real attention, but struggling too much to make real progress.

Sooooo frustrating!

I'm rubbish with names, sorry!

will google that, thank you

Emkana, yes I did. The LA Inclusion Officer wanted to wait until December 2009, and I thought DD1 was going to need Special school or at least 1:1 at MS. I got worried about the delay, so put my foot down in August 2009, told her that I didn't want to tread on toes, but I would be applying for Statutory Assessment.

I sent the initial letter on Sept 1st 2009 & we received the final statement in January 2010.

In terms of process, apart from a visit from the ed psych, SALT & OT, and writing the dreaded Parental Submission, there really wasn't much to it. But then DD1 has 'severe and complex needs' - she isn't profoundly affected in any one area (she can talk, can walk, etc), but is affected in some part in all areas (ataxic gait, fine motor delay, emotional & behavioural delay, S&L delay, etc).

ipsea website has some good standard letters you can use to request an assessment for statement. www.ipsea.org.uk/

contact local parent partnership.
speak to other local parents to find what is what eg which school etc.

ask for educational psychologist to come and do broader tests on motor and cognitive levels eg bayley scale or griffiths test on all skills (sometimes is OT who does these)

preschool is different - better ratio etc - but you need to prepare for larger reception class and push for one to one support hours for him.

Talk to IPSEA or SOS:SEN (google them - both great for advice, but you might have to hammer the phone line to get through).

You can apply for a statutory assessment of your son's needs yourself. IPSEA have model letters on their website.

CAFs can be great, but be wary of them if they are presented to you as an alternative to a statutory assessment (SA). An SA is the only way to get a statement, and a statement is the only way to get your child's needs laid out and met in a legally binding document (that the LEA and any school your child attends MUST adhere to).

It is all very daunting at the beginning, but if you want ANY advice or support, the SEN boards on MN are an absolute God send.