Does lack of concentration count as an SEN? (Sorry - long post)

[Wordsmith]

My 7-nearly-8 year old DS (in Y3) has been put on an IEP under school action for 'failure to progress this year'. In Y2 he received help with his maths (Numbers Count programme) and his KS1 SATS results were fine - he achieved level 2 and I was informed he had a reading age of 8. He'll never set the world on fire academically and he was sometimes a bit behind with his maths but he was making steady progress and I was never given the impression there was a problem.

Now, in the 2nd term of Y3, I am informed that he is not making the progress that is expected of him at this stage. He is struggling with his maths, he doesn't write enough and his reading age is now 7.4 - although when I challenged the discrepancy the teacher admitted it was 'probably a different type of test' to the one that showed him with a reading age of 8.

His problem (which I seemed to pinpoint rather than the teacher) is that he doesn't concentrate - he's the same at home, is easily distracted and doesn't focus on a task. Together we agreed an IEP including steps to be taken to address these problems - including small group and one-on-one help in class, sitting him facing the teacher, praising achievements, ensuring he understood the task before attempting it, etc. This was all agreed less than two weeks ago, and DS is aware he needs to concentrate more and that his teacher is trying to help him achieve this. This is to be reviewed in May and we agreed to set up a meeting then.

This morning his teacher caught me on the playground and handed me a form to sign agreeing to the LEA's Learning Support Service to get involved in assessing him to see if he has any special educational needs. I was very surprised - one, because in a playground situation as the kids are going into class is no place to explain something like this to a parent, and two, because I assumed that the IEP that had been agreed would be given time to work before escalating if necessary to involve outside agencies. I haven't signed the form (yet, if I ever will).

Shouldn't they give the IEP longer than a couple of weeks before trying to label my son with an SEN? If he really does have a problem then I would be the first to seek advice and help but I get the impression the school is trying to pass the buck rather than deal with his concentration issues in the normal course of events. There is no suggestion of any other issue than lack of concentration - his behaviour is generally good, he socialises well and enjoys school.

Any advice gratefully received, from teachers or parents with similar experiences! Thanks.

Lack of concentration can also indicate predominantly inattentive ADHD. I assume school are being fantastically proactive and trying to help your son - it's quite unusual for anyone to bother with ADHD type issues unless they are affecting the rest of the class (usually behavioural), so I would be chuffed that your school is on the ball.

Ds1 has predominantly inattentive ADHD and wasn't dx until 10 for this reason.

An assessment doesn't label him with SEN, it either flags up or rules out a reason for his poor concentration.

It will help them decide what the best way to help him work on his concentration is - there's no point simply telling him to pay attention more if he has an underlying cause for it, just as equally some of the strategies they might want to try are really pointless if there isn't any bigger issue.

It's a good thing, honestly, they just want to find out what the best way to support him is.

(the playground thing is a bit weird though)

He will be on school action anyway, as they are giving him support outside of the usual curriculum to keep up with his peers, so really he is already listed as having a current sen. (and he does have a current sen - he isn't going to keep up without the support detailed in his iep). They just sound as though they want an external opinion (usually ed psych) to make sure they haven't missed anything. It's very ordinary. It just means he will be on the school action 'plus' list instead, as an outside agency was asked to review. It won't change anything in the way they support him.

Just because he has an sen now, doesn't mean he will have next year, or the year after. But really, it's just semantics. The ep will be in and out of the school anyway, observing different kids, all very ordinary stuff.

I'm not sure why you would object, tbh. He isn't going to be labelled for life, but the ep budget is such that school must have a fairly clear idea there is an issue, to suggest involvement. The iep will still run. The ep just might make a few more recommendations to help.

Lack of concentration can be a flag for SEN or Sn that has not been picked up- much like a rash can be a flag for measles, it's not a lone symptom but it's the clue that triggers further response

SEN is different to SN- within education an SEN can be anything that affects learning ability; could be a bereavement or family issues or not speaking English or whatever; as SEN is also used to mean SN in different sectors that can be confusing, even distressing for parents not familiar with the system.

Assessments can take absolutely ages depending on how they are doing it- and it's just an investigation, not a diagnosis. For example if they are planning to ask in an Ed Psych- well locally that would take up to 2 years.

If I were you I would ask to see the SENCo to discuss your worries, it's a difficult thing to know your child is struggling. Ask her what she thinks is going on and how he will be assessed.

DS2 is awaiting assessment atm and lack of attention was what alerted the Head- in fact he forgot to do a large section of some important maths tests. In our family genetics is a concern anyway (2 with asd, one being assessed) but it's great that someone- a new Head in fact- noticed and as he is 11 great it was spotted before comp.

Thanks for the replies. I'm not against outside support, if he needs it, but my confusion is why I'm suddenly given this form to sign when they had a meeting with us less than 2 weeks ago and no outside intervention was suggested and a structured plan had already been put in place? Why aren't they waiting to review progress under that plan as agreed before suggesting outside help if it's needed?

It's probably more the poor communication that I'm frustrated with. It's really hard as a parent who has no experience in the education sector other than as a parent to understand the complexities of the system. And I have been a parent governor for four years! I still can't make head or tail of it.

Madwomanintheattic - I did ask if his lack of concentration was disruptive but the teacher assured me it wasn't. His behaviour is good in the class.

SanctiMoanyArse - the meeting we had was with the teacher and the SENCO already. It's a bit like being told "This is how we're going to tackle it," us saying "OK we agree, thank you" and them then saying "No, we've changed our mind, we're doing it this way now."

My guess is that tehyw ant to get some funding to help with his learning and that needs him to be put onto SA+ (School Action Plus)- and that is what kids go on when there is outside involvement.

Alternatively, SENCO might have been on a course or had a chat with a visiting EP who asked for a referral...

Seriously, as the game plan has changed, another meeting is indicated- even just a phone call.

It could be something as simple as money left in the budget and if its not used its lost. Speak to the senco, they seem very on the ball, find out what they have to say, also the outside help may be the teaching advisory service which helps the teachers best help your ds.

Yes I would have thought another meeting so I can see what they're aiming to achieve. I thought funding was available even on school action?

Thanks for your help, it's been really useful. And I have looked up predominantly inattentive adhd and there are a few things on there that I recognise in him

Any other thoughts really welcome.

quite useful info (no, am not advertising LOL- no idea who those people are)

That looks a really interesting site, thanks!

IPSEA and SOS!SEN are also good sites

That's why it took until Ds was 10 to dx his ADHD. Unless you are a chair thrower, only the very best schools flag concerns about inattention. He who shouts loudest, and all that.

I'd be dead impressed, if I were you. I'd also call the senco or ct and ask why the added step, but I would def sign the form and let system grind into gear to have a further look (ESP if some of that inattentive stuff looks familiar...). You could ask them if they suspect anything deeper. Sometimes they will share if they are happy you aren't going to freak out (for examples see threads headed 'school say my son has aspergers! He does NOT!' or similar)

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon x

It is a good school - apart from their communication with parents and I am beginning to realise signing it would be the right thing to do. I must admit the inattentive adhd stuff does look familiar - especially how it can link with anxiety. He does worry about things a lot - stuff like does he have all his stuff in his bag, are we going to be late etc.
Thanks for all your advice. It's really useful.

Marking my place. Back later.

wordsmith I would go along with what has been said already-definitely sign and let the school get the ball rolling! My ds ,11, was dx with Aspergers last year and it was brought to our attention by the school whose initial concern was lack of concentration . He now has issues with anxiety among other things but I am glad the school picked it up when they did. They really only have your son's best interest at heart ! I think its par for the course that they do what they are doing. With us it was similar-they asked to meet us and had a meeting at which was decided what extra help they would give him, set up IEP, and gave us their thoughts as to what they thought the problem was. A few days later ds brought home, in a sealed envelope , the form to be signed to give permission for the educational psych.to be contacted. We signed it and sent it straight back to get things started. I think you might be reading too much into it! Sign it and send it back for your ds. Rest assured the school wont ask for outside sevices unless they feel its absolutely necessary. Good luck