Should I seek private reports now for my ASD son's EHCP?

[ForBluntHarmony]

Any advice please.

My son is 7 just finishing year 2. He is diagnosed with ASD and social communication issues.

I’ve moved him schools due to house move.

Whilst he has settled in his new school he is struggling with dysregulation. He has been hospitalised twice in 7 weeks one resulting in an elbow fracture from injuries at playtime. In one account he didn’t tell staff for several hours, as he doesn’t exhibit pain or feel to open up to staff he doesn’t know well.

His previous school who knew him well said that by ks2 he wouldn’t struggle more and were trying to contact camhs to get him assessed for adhd. They acknowledged he did not feel pain or share injuries well and had more intentions in place.

My son keeps having his behaviour banked from previous incidents and placed in solitary confinement. This is making him not want to go to school and we are repeatedly late.

I have told the school I am applying for an Ehc. The advice I need is whether I should get private reports yet or wait until appeal stage. My son was rejected by nhs OT previously and has had no SLT input despite a plan made at 4 when discharged prior to reception.

To add since my son has been in plaster, he has had no incidents of behaviour or injuries as being indoors for playtime and additional supervision (health and safety plan)

Thank you

Personally, I wouldn’t seek independent assessments prior to requesting an EHCNA. Firstly, unless you are lucky with a cancellation, anyone good will have a waiting list and you don’t want to delay requesting an EHCNA. Secondly, unless money is no object, I would wait to see if you need to appeal. Independent assessments are costly, if the LA agree to assess but you have to appeal e.g. refusal to issue you might decide you need to target your money. For example, you may decide the SALT assessment undertaken during the EHCNA is sufficient, not brilliant but enough and you need/want to target your money at independent EP and OT assessments.

Request a meeting with the SENCO when back in September. What support is the school providing? What have they already tried? Have they asked for advice from outside agencies? The school doesn’t sound supportive if they are repeatedly placing DS in what you describe as solitary confinement!