GDD

[weasledee]

Just looking for advice really....
My son is 7 and has returned to school. He was diagnosed via the school educational psychologist as having GDD last year. He struggles in all subjects and is small and immature in his behaviour for his age. He had come home today and said he got told off twice - they have a tier system 1-3, he got a 2 on the naughty scale. I feel deflated that he's getting such formal telling off when they know his issues....
also do u think I should seek more help from a medical perspective? He's never seen a paediatrician....
Anyone else in a similar position?

An Educational Psychologist can't make a diagnosis. You have to have medical training to make a diagnosis. They do sometimes say "he presents as if he has....." as will have had a lot of experience with different needs, but they can't give a diagnosis.

So yes, I would ask your GP to make a referral to a Paediatrician to get that diagnosis.

Separately, however, you need to be talking to the school about how they are differentiating and supporting him. Not that that means he shouldn't be told off if he is displaying challenging behaviour - a diagnosis of GDD (if it comes) is very much an umbrella term. It is given when there is literally a delay, across all areas (hence 'global'). You can't expect them to ignore poor behaviour, and it wouldn't be doing him any favours long term if they did. You wouldn't expect them to not do his best in maths or reading because he finds it difficult, would you? It is the same with behaviour - he might need more explanations or reminders or scaffolding, but that doesn't mean it can be 'let off' when he doesn't achieve what he can.

However, you need to make an appointment with the SENCo (probably be via zoom or Teams or some other platform at the moment) and ask about what is in place to support him. Ask for copies of his Support Plans (some places still call them Individual Plans) which will lay out targets he is working towards and how he is being helped to reach those targets.

Thank you for your reply. It's a good way of looking at it and you're right he can't get away with things because of the GDD. I just hope they give that element of understanding. I heard a lot about early intervention but the school tells me he can't have any formal assessments (via the school) until he is 8 eg dyslexia test. I'll try and get to see the doc, probably not that easy at the moment though.....