I will keep this brief and to the point. DD year 6; diagnosed with ASD and ADHD and also elements of selective mutism (mutism is not officially diagnosed).
Things going well:
Academically very able
She has a small, select group of friends
Minor adjustments in school to aid with
ADHD symptoms and sensory overload
School say she’s a model pupil
What I’m concerned about:
Her school are dismissive of her difficulties as she is a model pupil
She requires Occupational Therapy for support with functional skills; she is very easily distracted and disorganised.
She struggles with concentration but has a very good memory and relies on this to learn.
Homework is time consuming due to refusal and lack of focus. She regularly forgets her school belongings.
She has no friends outside of school; she’s attended the same dance class twice weekly for the last two years but spends most of the time on her own. She does not talk to the other children unless they talk to her; she tends to follow them around but not engage them.
Her lack of communication skills is starting to affect her self esteem; she feels sad she has no friends at dance class. Her friendships in the classroom appear superficial and interchangeable.
Her mood is unpredictable and most mornings, she can be quite sullen heading in to school; she hates school.
She becomes upset and uncooperative (similar to a toddler) if she has to do something she does not want to do, is offered a meal she does not want to eat, or has to go somewhere she does not want to go. It makes life quite a battle.
She is awaiting assessment from SALT for query selective mutism (she is vocal and confident in school but outside of the classroom she is not).
She has sleep difficulties.
I would like to apply for an EHCNA based on future needs for the transition to secondary school. I approached the SEN teacher at her school who has told me they will not support an assessment as DD does not need it.
Is it worth applying myself or are her needs not severe enough?