Do schools treat SEN children differently after diagnosis?

[angrymomma]

What do the staff do different to whatever they were doing prior to official diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, etc?

Are they legally obliged to actually treat the child differently, IYSWIM, or do they basically treat them the same?

They will/should make allowances and adapt stuff eg: DS1 aged 9 dyslexic gets different homework, longer to do it etc. Also develope strategies for flash points eg: DS1 gets zoned out sometimes at the end of the day, so he can go off and do something else.

I think it also depends on how much it affects the class dymanic. How old is your child? Does he has an IEP? Independent Education Plan.

Don't think legal obligation comes into it, unless statemented, but you will find most teachers will be flexible.

A good school will try and support your child the best they can with the resources they have ie: teaching assistants, materials etc. They are not legally obliged to cater for your child's specific needs unless the child is statemented, but it's in the school's interest to help your child as it will make things far easier for all concerned. Have you met with the school/SENCO? and what was their reaction to dx .. what support is he currently getting? It may be that they had support in place prior the child's dx and this will just be a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's iyswim.

I am very interested to hear what happens as my ds is just at the stage of getting a diagnosis.

The school has been very supportive up until now but I am interested to hear what I should expect in the future.

Thankyou for your feedback. DS is 9 and has been diagnosed with Aspergers.
We have been having regular meetings with ED physcologist and SENCO for a few years no.
DS's problems started when he was at nursery, so he had an IEP before he started school. School have been so so in their support so far, but don't seem to have any actuall plan for dealing with DS, apart from removing him from break time play.
How do you ge a Statement? I was under the impression that if DC was diagnosed then Statement was mandatory part of that process. Am obviously wrong though, am I?

No statements are not mandatory, you have to push like a pissed off bull to get one. Ask the question directly 'Can we apply for a statement please?' Is he on School Action Plus? Do you have a Parent Partnership in you area? They are brilliant and can help you with all questions.

Okay, who do I ask re getting Statement? Have never heard of School Action Plan, what is that exactly?

Have tried on numerous occassions to get on local Parent Partnership site, but it just keeps freezing on me.

Feel like a fish out of water at the moment with all these different agencies involved.

Have just signed up for positive parenting course on advice of family resource worker. Will these help with AS though?