saw the ed psch about DS today

[stillenacht]

he is in year 5 and struggling - so went to see the ed psych (privately - phew what a scorcher in terms of cost!). She says he has problems with his expressive speech and specific learning difficulties (have another DS who is 4 years younger with low functioning autism) relating to phonics and basic stuff not acquird when he was in reception and year 1.

Feel very very pissed off about whole situation as feel that education system let him and us down. We are teachers (me and DH) at GS and feel as if he has been left to get on with it - reception teacher went on mat leave, countless supply (grrrrr) and year 1 teacher job share with deputy head (who has other things to deal with)Has had boys in his class with behavioural problems which have not really been dealt with adequately and on top of this during all that time in his fomative education i was dealing with DS2 having epileptic fits and not developing mentally ..although we really really tried Biff and sodding Chip was hardly at the top of our priority list.

Just need to vent grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

Educational psychology service

The educational psychology service (or education psychology service) is a statutory service provided by the local authority.

www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/ete/agencies/psychology/

If you do a quick "google" you will find every LA has their own team. Schools (SENCOs) can refer children to the service at no cost to the school.

Sorry you've had to pay for something that should be free and with no benefit to your child.

Well i think the SENCO is prob discouraged from encouraging parents to go down this route at my sons school. My other son has been statemented so i am fairly aware of things from his Special Ed setting but with regards to DS1's mainstream education i was told that the school does not have the money to do this by the Head.

As a SENCO I have to prioritise the needs of children who will benefit most from seeing an EP. (not a nice job sometimes) but as you say your EP has said the school is already providing support and there isn't much extra they could give the SENCOs decision will have been made from that type of knowledge of your child.

Lots of parents from state schools pay for ed psych reports mrz.
I disagree that the report will be of no benefit to stillenacht's child. His teachers will now be aware of his SpLD.

Cornsilk they may be aware of his needs, but many LEA's will not provide the support or based on a private dx. I fear, if you want any SEN input for your child in their state school, they will refer him to their own Ed. Physch and other outside agencies. This is purely my own experience of NHS v's private dx. I hope your son get the help he needs.

Cornsilk the school is obviously aware of his needs when the private EP has said there isn't much extra help that the school will be able to offer over an above what he already gets. He is on the school SEN register according to Stillenacht ...

The private report will give the school information about the nature of his diffculties and usually recommendations to support them - very useful. I agree that the LEA may not provide extra support based on the private dx though. Doesn't mean that the dx is not worthwhile though.