Does dd have a learning delay

[kate45]

My dd is five and started school last Sept. She has isolated Agenesis Corpus Callosum which is so far seemingly non symptomatic, but as far as I understand some learning delays and social/behavioural effects from this are not apparent till children are older.

So far we had convinced courselves dd was fine, she has developed normally with no delays and seems similar to her peers, but at the parents evening this week we were told she is near the bottom of the class, they hope to get her to level 7 by the summer, the ideal is level 9 (dont even understand what these levels are!). They say she is progressing and is currently level 3?!

As there were no sypmtoms we did not tell school about dd's diagnosis when she went in Sept. I really need some advice please firstly on what these levels are, and is dd significantly behind, and should we tell the school about her ACC now?

Please, can anyone help me on this, I need to call the school and wanted to see if anyone could advise me beforehand???

I think you need to talk to the school about the diagnosis. I dont know about this "condition" but if learning delays are possible then they should know so they can give her the appropriate help. Thios may mean a statement of SPecial Educational needs is needed. This then lays down the extra help that is required and it is regualrly reviewd.

Come over to Scecial Needs and there are a lot of wise people there who can advise you.

Hi starfishmummy, thanks for your reply, maybe I should have posted in Special Needs!

Are the levels from the foundation stage profile? As far as I understand it, achieving points 1-6 by the end of reception would be considered "average". A 9 would be working beyond the level expected at that age. I have no knowledge of the specifics of your child's condition, but I would be open with the school about what it potentially involves. Hope you find someone who knows more about it than me!

Hi Runoutofideas yes they are and I have had a look at them now,and I would dispute that she is a level 3 in everything so I am seeing the school in any case about that, but I have decided to tell them any way about her condition.

One symptom that manifests is crippling shyness and I think she must not be doing some things at school that she does happily at home, so I need to at least address that with them!

I reckon I would be putting dd at more of a disadvantage by not telling them, although it is such a rare condition most people (even health professionals!) we have told have misunderstood and overreacted. Still, nothing ventured etc...

Sounds like the early years foundation stage profile. Seems too that the school has unrealistic expectations. Level 9 means working consistently above the early learning goals. The early learning goals are the goals for the end of reception. The average child arrives at level 3 in reception and leaves reception on level 7. The average for last year was 7 as the scores were slightly higher overall according to another thread I read on here.

The problem will the foundation stage is that the teacher has to observe those points in child led play not in activities set by the teacher. They also have to meet goals 1-3 before they can score any of 4-8 even though they may be capable of those.

thanks caffeinated, thats helpful, and would explain why dd seems higher than a three to me but isnt assessed as such as she possibly hasn't met all the goals in each category. A talk to school is looking moreand more like a good idea!

I know she started school in September but when is she 5, that too would have a degree of impact on her ability, if she is a summer baby etc.