Independent EP assessment in school

[abeltasman]

was wondering if anyone has had experience (good or bad) of paying (shedloads !) for an independent EP to have their DC assessed within the school environment?

Although DS obviously bright, I don't want tp pay someone £££ to tell me he is bright. What I want to do is work out why he is achieving so much at home yet zero at school, along with bad behaviour and unhappiness.

A year ago he loved school and could concentrate beautifully. Now he doesn't want to go and his teacher says he doesn't want to do the (limited) extended work he is more than capable of (it is at least a year easier work than he happily does at home through free choice).

I don't want to get the school's back up as I want to work with them and avoid pulling him out. But I can't have him so miserable. He is youngest in Y1 in what was a good school (but IMO is sliding). I think there may be other issues at play (EP friends suggested mild aspergers, am not surprised), or ADHD. I know his ableness has been hidden at school and may well hide other issues.

How did you approach the school? Any success stories? If the EP found anything untoward, did the school act on it?

Thanks!

[BoffinMum]

They are not qualified to decide whether he has a specific learning difficulty/learning disability. If they haven't assessed him they are making an a priori assumption, which they are not at liberty to do.

I would contact IPSEA for further advice.

IPSEA

[belledechocchipcookie]

The NAGC used to have a telephone helpline that was manned by a child psychologist, they may be able to help. I'm not 100% sure that it's still running but it's worth a try. If the school are prepared to write a letter about his problems then your GP can refer you, it's not likely to be an EP though.

[abeltasman]

Boffin, I have asked the LA and they said no. How can I make them do it? They say he has no obvious learning disability and is too far ahead of his peers to qualify!

[BoffinMum]

I'd consider getting him assessed then. BTW if you ask the LA is obliged to do this within 6 months (last time I checked SEN law). The LA EPs are surprisingly impartial. Or if you go private budget for about £300 - £400.

[belledechocchipcookie]

They do grow out of it (thank god!). The link I've sent you is helpful, their site is also very helpful. Don't worry, you're not alone.

[abeltasman]

Sounds like my son to a tee. You brush his cheek gently and he yells. Poor poppet :( and as if on cue he has woken up (terrible sleeper) so will check back tomoro, thanks!)

[belledechocchipcookie]

//www.nagcbritain.org.uk/file_upload/factsheets/150P01%20Is%20My%20Young%20Child%20Gifted.pdf

[belledechocchipcookie]

This could be most of the problem. Children who are hypersensitive often feel 'pain' My son was touch sensitive so something that wouldn't be painful to someone else would be very painful to him. There is a condition, I'll try to find a link for you.

[abeltasman]

I know, Belle. We got him into the smallest (state) school we could, as the noise issue is a problem. Sadly his teacher this year is NOT good at controlling her class and it is rather noisy. Cant see next year being any better :(

[belledechocchipcookie]

He'll be really struggling at school if he's hypersensitive to noise, the class will be bustling. He needs to be somewhere smaller (& quieter).

[abeltasman]

Belle, the school nurse is referring him to PCAMHS But not EP as they don't have the budget or the 'ticks in right boxes' for a SEN assessment ('too bright' apparently!!)

[abeltasman]

Boffin, I did have a chat with HT and class teacher but what they promised has not materialised. Also they said "oh well he is doing Y3 stuff with X" as if that was enough... he is way past that at home and X is bright but nowhere near that level. It's like they will differentiate but only for a group, not the individual, and if the group find it hard then they back off, rather than see what each child can do. My DS doesn't show off and is cowed by his mates, he doesn't like to be 'different' :(

I could do an EP assessment at home but feel that the 'issues' are those emotional and behavioural ones (eg hypersensitivity to noise) that are more easily spotted in the school (his motivation is great at home, but lousy at school).

[belledechocchipcookie]

If it will help to have him assessed then you can go through the GP.

[abeltasman]

Thanks Merle. It is the weaknesses I am more concerned about, I know D S is bright (a 5yo who enjoys sitting down and doing algebra?!) but I know there are some glaring 'issues', I just am not trained to spot or name them!

[Merle]

I've told this tale before on here but I really regret not getting an independent EP assessment for my eldest son. At KS1 he was bright but difficult and not really learning. Fast forward seven years at he has been CAT tested at grammar school. I was amazed by the results. I don't mean this on a boastful way, but I wish I'd had this information years ago. The thing with this kind of testing, from what I understand, is that it will hilight the weaknesses as well as the strengths.

[belledechocchipcookie]

He's never been tested, I didn't see the need. I was the pushy mum, I needed to be but it was hard. I've always spent a lot of time talking to him, he was an early reader (age 3) so I've always encouraged this (taking him to the library etc), he's also done topics at home but it's been hard to make sure that he doesn't cover the same things at school. I did have to see the class teacher a lot and only moved him once he became very unhappy as there was no other way forwards.

Ds was behind emotionally, his last (independent) primary was very nurturing and he's developed emmensly. For years he was 'happy,' all the time he was 'happy,' and he's only just started to talk about the other emotions he has and he's 12. They do get there, they just don't always understand what they are feeling and why.

[BoffinMum]

I would have a chat with the school's HT or even the SENCO and say your son isn't happy. Also give yourself the option of looking around other state schools - don't assume you have to go private, sometimes if you dig a bit you find there's one particular state school locally that does really well with non-standard children. For that is what many of them are, non-standard, not necessarily SEN.

An independent EP assessment would not necessarily involve them sitting in the classroom, by the way. They might just test for IQ and related abilities, and give suggestions for your son's teachers (which they may or may not follow).

[abeltasman]

Oh, and did you get your son tested in the end?

[abeltasman]

What were the most constructive things you did for yor DC at home even when school was failing? How did you get to the bottom of the matter?DS VERY close-lipped and not great at emotional literacy (would say he is behind in that), and it is so hard to get to what he is really feeling. Some things he is very clear on (boredom) but other stuff not so easy to disentangle about why he is so miserable.

[belledechocchipcookie]

//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/gifted_and_talented/988950-A-place-where-we-can-chat-about-how-our-DC I think this thread's still up and running, it's full of parents who are in the same boat. You're not alone.

[belledechocchipcookie]

Ask away, don't worry about PM's, the info could help someone else.

[abeltasman]

(oops sorry double post, blasted interwebt!)

[abeltasman]

Belle, I'd be interested in any other advice you have - seems like you have been there got the tshirt. Feeling a bit isolated about it all, happy to PM if you'd rather. Pretty please ;)

[abeltasman]

Belle, I'd be interested in any other advice you have - seems like you have been there got the tshirt. Feeling a bit isolated about it all, happy to PM if you'd rather. Pretty please ;)

[belledechocchipcookie]

It does get easier with the right support.