How do I find a reputable child/educational psychologist?

[clumsymum]

Because DS has ongoing behavioural issues at school, which don't happen anywhere else. He has been seen (briefly) by the local education authority ed psych, but really that has gone nowhere. I feel like this year at school has just been marking time, both in terms of his behaviour and his academic development. He is in year 2, oldest in his year. His problem seems to be one of poor emotional development (so can still have age 3 type tantrums at school), altho he is very bright, and has intellectual ability well above his years. I just don't think he can cope in a large class full of children (believe me if moving to a smaller private school was an option, we would)

I so desperatly want to sort this out, for him as well as us, and before it all escalates to the point that he gets suspended or something. I want our own assessment so I can seek other options. I'm considering home ed, but fear that it might just lead to us never getting the problem solved, rather just managed in the short-term.

Any info welcome please

no worries HonoriaGlossop
I saw your post on the other thread.

One of the quotes i really like it from www.schoolhouse.org.uk/ for families who home educate in Scotland;

"The most important thing you need to know about home education...
Is that you've been doing it since your child was born. There's no mystery involved! Home education happens whenever you show your child how to plant seeds, play a card game or weigh apples in the supermarket. It happens when you answer a question - or scratch your head and say: "I don't know! Let's see if there's a website or something." It's going on when you read a story together, make up a silly poem about the dog, or count out Maltesers. Your child learns from you and everyone around her all the time.

As the questions get harder, there are other sources of knowledge - books, the computer, other people - until, gradually, your child is gaining all kinds of knowledge by herself: she has grown into a competent and knowledgeable teenager who has learned how to learn, and nothing can stop her finding out whatever she wants to know.

It really is that simple. As long as you keep helping to find answers, looking for interesting things to try out and enjoying your child's company, she will make you into the educator she needs."

Don't worry about the hijack, it's really interesting to hear all this about HE.

I have spoken to the school's ed. psych on the phone (she observed ds for about 1/2 an hour 4 - 5 months ago). Her view is that the best place for him is in school. His problems don't arise from being around other children, but from being asked to carry out tasks, even when he doesn't feel like doing it, and also because he wants 1-to-1 attention all the time. I know we have a similar prob at home, but it doesn't escalate to the same level as it does at school.
I would still have to ask him to complete tasks, do things at set times at home, so that problem would continue. Of course he would get the 1-to-1, but shouldn't he be dealing with the fact that he can't have that all the time? Otherwise I would never get any time to myself at all, and he'll never gain any self-reliance.

Oh it's soooo difficult, this 'being a parent thing'.
I'm seeing the private psych after half-term. No decisions to be made yet.

I dunno clumsy, I think if a child wants one to one then fair enough - that's what they need at this point. Children develop and change when they are ready. Your ds is not ready at the moment obviously, same as my ds really!

Also I question whether the Psych is right; you may well not ask him to do set things at set times at home, surely that's the beauty of being at home and being flexible!

I haver about all the time over this issue, mainly because I have to work so it seems impossible for me to HE but also because the social side of being at school, going through the day as a little team with his friends, does seem precious to ds....he just wants to teacher to himself as well!

But he does have to learn that things have to happen sometimes, such as appointments, meetings with other people. Even if HE, I couldn't be entirely flexible with him, otherwise he just grows up as a spoilt brat where everything goes his way.

Same really about 1-to-1. Most kids have got to grips with that by seven and a half. If we don't get him used to it, won't he always be a me, me, me kid, wanting all the attention all the time.

Those are my reservations about taking him out of school.

Yes, I do see where you are coming from, of course I do.

I really hope the private psch appt goes well, will keep this watched in case you want to update! x