Executive function/processing delay

[beenhereages1]

Hi all,

I'll try and pack in as much info as possible without waffling!

My DS is 10 ( yr 5). He was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged 5 and had chemotherapy aged 6-8. He's been stable ever since.

Last year he had some assessments done through a hospital psychologist. The report has just become available and his processing speeds are extremely poor as is his executive function. All apparently expected due to the damage the tumour has caused and the treatment.

He's also visually impaired due to the tumour.

Academically he's doing ok, lower end of average in maths, upper end in English. His primary school are fantastic and he has great support from them. They are however unable to apply for an EHCP as he's not performing below average. I know I shouldn't, but I feel really upset about this on DS's behalf. I feel every child should be given the opportunity to achieve their best potential, yet even though school are sure with more support DS would be a achieving higher grades, he'll not manage that without the EHCP .

School have also recommended that we have DS referred for a potential dyspraxia assessment, however have said this won't mean anything towards the EHCP.

I'm so scared about secondary school. He's a quiet, anxious child, who struggles to ask for help and would rather just try and sort stuff out for himself. I just don't know how he's going to cope.

I just don't know what to do or think.

Bump

You are able to apply yourself, but, in truth, the school are right. He isn't behind his peers. He isn't struggling to access education, physically. It would seem even his sensory impairment isn't having so much of an impact that he is struggling to access education.

He has been through so much, bless him, and it must have been horrendous for you, but that isn't actually what an EHCP is for.

I get that @BackforGood , I just find it frustrating that school acknowledge DS isn't reaching his potential but he won't reach that without the support

the legal baseline is may have SEN, may benefit from EHCP.

Its not being in line with peers though this often is a factor when people apply. Its about having his needs met - not just on academic front. Anxiety etc

Have to warn you it is tough to apply, Local Authorities will often fight you all the way. Dyspraxia assessment may ring to light things he struggles with - hows his writing etc?

Has school given any interventions to help with whatever he finds tricky? LA will look closely at what they call graduated response - bascially what has school tried before we look at EHCP.

You can apply, but I would talk to school 1st about adjustments they could make using their school money 6k or additional funds they can access from their local authority - visual impairment team may help, there are things to adjust to his processing speed, nurture group or confidence building for anxiety and so on.