Is it worth getting DD assessed by a private Ed Psych?

[devondeva]

My DD has had a difficult year in year 1, culminating in a rather mediocre report where they say she's not performing as expected in everything but reading. Throughout the year they've said sdhe's had some problems with concentration and independance, but this has improved somewhat, but there is a general feeling (both from school and home) that she's not fulfilling her potential - she was streaks ahead in reception. I would probably just see how things pan out except for the fact she's become very angry and frustrated over the last year. She has tantrums around once a week over nothing, and seems constantly ready to fly off the handle. She's also very rude and verbally agressive to us and her siblings at times at home. At school and outside the home her behaviour is fine, but you can see the pent-up frustration and irritation on her face sometimes as she comes out of school. She's unable to articulate reasons for this anger. I wondered if an assessment from an ed psych might be good to see if there are any problems, and look for strategies to help. The only thing is I wouldn't want the school to be involved at the moment. She's not on their special needs radar as her behaviour's fine and her work is fairly OK in comparison with the rest of her cohort- there are also no particular flags for specific special needs such as dyslexia. I think they think she's just a rather annoying, lazy airhead and would think we were trying to find excuses for her by getting her assessed (her last year's teacher had a much more positive take on her!). Does a private Educational Psychologist automatically need to work with the school for assessment?

If she's not going to be particularly academic that's fine - but I do want to feel she fulfils her potential if that's higher than what she's doing now, and help her remove any obstacles.

www.youngminds.org.uk/

I and friends have found them very helpful

Thanks julia - do you mean the helpline is good at suggesting the most appropriate service?

We have recently used an Ed Psych - there was a questionnaire for me to fill in, and an optional one for the school to fill in.

I chose not to involve the school, and it wasn't a problem at all, completely usual.

DD was assessed for almost two hours and then we had a quick chat, with a more detailed written report following a few days later.

I thought that it was money well spent - was able to see DDs strengths and weaknesses, areas she needs support in etc. It explained a lot of things for us anyway.

I'm still trying to decide whether there is any benefit to providing the school with a copy of the report.

If you choose not to involve the school and the EP doesn't see how your daughter is coping in school I can't really see how their report will be of much help to you in helping her to achieve her potential in school. Why don't you want the school to know?

I would talk to the school first, they might surprise you. Check everything is ok socially first.

GoodOldEnid - thanks. I've talked to the school, and they just basically put everything onto the parenrts - give us extra stuff to do at home etc (which we do). They don't seem willing to engage as I don't think the problem is "big" enough for them (although they are very quick to say she's not achieving)- the class has a number of children with very significant SEN, as well as some extremely bright children, so DD sits somewhere in the middle and gets little attention. Socially she's actually happier than she's been since starting school. We don't get on brilliantly with her teacher and I think at some level they think we're just difficult parents who don't push out DD enough.

Cansu - One of the reasons I don't want an EP in the school is that DD is extremely sensitive - having someone observe her at school will raise difficult questions for her and she's already convinced she's not as good as her peers. I think if it was just at home we could look at a way of making her feel less singled out.

Cansu -sorry, to answer a bit more fully, I was thinking what we could do was have an initial assessment with the EP, and then if he thought there was a significant problem we could then involved the school and if need be assess further.

Then I think it could be helpful although they are very expensive. I would try and get some recommendations first as I know some people who have been disappointed with some EP reports.

Cansu - thanks for that - will ask around

OP does she have any other issues at home such as fussy with food, sensitive to noise, or not enough sleep?

didldidi - she doesn't have any sensory issues, but does find it very hard to go to sleep - once asleep she sleeps like the dead and doesn't wake early though.

Have you tried some of the basics? Get her hearing and sight checked. Make sure she has a good diet (nothing that will stimulate her too much or give her concentration problems). How about her routine at home, is that well established?

She probably behaves better at school because she likes the structure and routine. Does she have a bedtime routine - bath, story, bed at a sensible time (probably no later than 7pm). Does she have clear boundaries and consequences which are enforced every time she breaks them?

All these can help a child feel safe and confident and have a positive affect on their schoolwork. I would check this before referring her to an ed psyche.

Hi Fairenuff - yes we've tried all this over the last year or so. She's in bed by 7.30, with story etc - have tried relaxation tapes, later bedtimes, earlier bedtimes, taking her for a run before bedtime, hot drink etc. Her diet's great - no e numbers, eats a good range, plenty of protein and we supplement with omega oils, magnsium and zinc. She has clear boundaries (which she knows) and we never give in to her tantrums. I'm sure her relative lack of sleep (she gets about 10 hours a night) is a contributing factor to her concentration and behaviour, but we just can't seem to crack it.