Is it worth getting DS assessed?

[Jellylove]

My DS is yr2, since yr1 has had difficulty writing and concentrating at school and he is stalling really. He is not completing written work in class, in fact he is barely starting it. He is being kept in at play time and lunchtimes until he's finished tasks.
He has now struggling times tables in the timed manner that the school has prescribed and cannot move forward as he can't achieve the target. Struggles with messy handwriting and spellings also.
He is good at reading and computers, his eyes have been tested fully and are perfect.
He finds a noisy classroom too distracting.
They have put him on an IEP for handwriting but teacher is starting to brand him as lazy.
And now maths seems to becoming an issue. They have told me they don't thing he has any issues such as dyslexia or other types of learning disorders but I am now sceptical of this
Can anyone advise me please?

As a teacher, I would definitely be considering that there might be underlying issues. Have the school done any testing or have they just decided there is nothing else (like dyslexia) going on?

Do you have any dyslexia history in the family? If so, and even if not, I would be making noises about having some screening tests done. You might find they will try and delay until at least Yr 3 but you need to be a bit of nuisance in order to get things done, in my experience!

There is no diagnosed family history except my sister who was dyslexic (sadly RIP) and her father (my step father) has very much the same issues as she did, but he was educated when such things were not tested. On my husbands side his brother although not diagnosed exhibits very similar traits.
The school have not done any tests and have not suggested any, it was just a sweeping statement they made after I raised issues.
Last yr my son got so down about his struggles with writing he wanted to move house and never go to school again which is the only way his 5 year old brain could think of solving the problem
I asked the teacher how we can move forward and she offered me nothing
Feeling fed up and down about it myself

I find it incredibly sad that the teacher is labelling your son as lazy without any consideration for underlying cause.
Have they actually tested for dyslexia?
I would request a meeting with teacher and senco to discuss assessments and support for your son

What is his pencil grip like? Does he hold and use cutlery fairly 'normally'? There could be a sensory/motor skills issue that is making physically writing harder for him, which would also make it difficult for him to complete timed tasks. A GP can refer you for an assessment with an Occupational Therapist who would then write a report to share with the school, including guidance if there are any modifications he might need (e.g. pencil grips etc).

No they have not tested for dyslexia and have even dismissed the idea.
I just feel so disheartened and frustrated

Can you try talking to the Senco?

Mumzuki: he does have the pencil grip but it took a while as, cutlery use is ok but clumsy at times. Left and right does need reminders at times whereas my daughter who is 2 yrs younger has grasped this, i hought this was maybe cos she was a girl though??

Not all schools have someone qualified to test for dyslexia.

Dyspraxia? I would make an appointment to see the SENCO. They need to take this seriously.

In the meantime work on fine motor skills (lego/Hama beads)

Play board games - good for having to learn to concentrate

Thank you he does love board games and particularly snakes and ladders.

someone is suggested I see the head teacher, due to the teachers attitude
So far this week she has threatened to keep him out of the infant Christmas party for not keeping up with his work and she has complained about missing her breaks and lunches as she's keeping him in to finish his work

This sounds terrible!

Make an appointment to see the headteacher and another to see the SENCO

I think it sounds like possible sensory issues.

I would be advising that he's seen by an occupational therapist. They will offer a good insight into any difficulties he may face. You can get a private assessment but they are expensive.

Speak to the senco, she should be more helpful than the head in this situation. He needs an action plan with realistic goals and NOT to just be kept in all the time. I only do that occasionally with children whom I know are capable and not those who genuinely find it a challenge.

Thank you to all who replied... a longtime ago I know.
I ended up seeing the headteacher and having a total meltdown!
She was appalled at the class teachers treatment of my son, the home work he has been set, apologised and arranged for a joint meeting with the senco and class teacher.
He has seen an ed psych now. Through the last yr he has had physio and occupational therapy. All agree he has dysgraphia, dyspraxia and probably some sensory issues.
He was on a CAF last yr, for all of this and he does have anxiety, largely school related, he tries not to go most days.
He has had play therapy which was a waste of time as it was too short.
Getting a paediatrician to see him is like trying to get blood out of a stone. First referral was rejected. Second referral I have been waiting over 30 weeks for an appt.
He's about to go into yr 4, with a good class teacher, the school is fairly supportive but I feel without a proper diagnosis he won't get the the most effective support and right plan going forward.
Hopefully once I am through this next hurdle we, put some things in place and see if an EHCP is the right thing to apply for? Although I don't really know much about this

Wow. Thank you for coming back to update.
I'm glad the HT took some decisive action.

An EHCP is what replaced a 'Statement'. In effect, it is a legal document which sets out your dc's needs (needs in Education, in Health, and in Social Care - so will include things like the OT). It then says what the Local Authority must provide, to meet those needs.
I guess this varies from LA to LA, and even from school to school, depending on what EP tme they buy in, but where I work, generally if you've got to the top of the list to see the EP, then the EP would generally recommend applying for an assessment for an EHCP.

This isn't a 'single assessment' but is more of a 'gathering of evidence' - so the authority asks for reports from the school, from you, from the OT, , from the physio, from the play therapist and looks at how far behind your ds is. They look at what the school have put in place to support, and progress that has, or hasn't been made. It does take a few months, so don't let it keep drifting - you want this in place before you start thinking about secondary transfer once he is in Yr5.