School support for dyslexia and adhd, and reason for EHCP

[sausageragu]

My dd is 8 and has been assessed as being dyslexic with high possibility she has adhd (inattentive type) she also has an extremely high IQ, so while behind, she is not massively so because she must be masking/compensating for it.

My question is, can anyone with a ehcp for dyslexia and/or adhd tell me what is written on it in terms of support the school should provide?

I have a meeting arranged with her teacher and the senco and I want to go in armed with all the knowledge I can.

Below are some of the recommendations from the assessment, there are further things like toebytoe which we have started at home but obviously majority of her learning is in school so will they be able to adapt for her?

X needs a multi-sensory based language programme which will enable her to reinforce the gaps with her phonological knowledge and reinforce her vowel digraphs combinations, which are generally and source of weakness within the SpLD community. It is the automaticity of her sounds that are weak, so putting sounds on cards and timing their recall would be very useful.
• X also needs to improve her prose reading speed, and so her reading should be timed. Increasing reading speed should help with reading fluency, as well as with comprehension.
• Cloze procedure exercises, where X is given passages with key words missing and has to predict the words that should be in the gaps, would also be beneficial.

Provision included in EHCPs is dependent on needs rather than diagnosis. EHCPs can include things like OT, SALT, MH therapies, specialist dyslexia teacher, assistive technology, movement breaks…

There are elements of the recommendations you have posted that are vague and woolly which makes it not worth the paper it is written on in terms of EHCPs. For example, “would be very useful” and “would also be beneficial.”

So those are from the woman who did her dyslexia assessment. Apparently I'll get a full report but have to wait a few weeks for that. I am going to meet with the school but I'm worried there will be push back

Was it an ed psych or dyslexia assessor? Are they experienced at writing reports? Not all reports are good enough for an EHCP. Vague reports including recommendations like you have posted mean DC may not receive the support.

Schools have to make their best endeavours to meet a pupil’s SEN, but the only way to guarantee specific support is provided is via a detailed, specified and quantified EHCP.

It was a dyslexia assessor.

I have done some vague research on an Ed psych, and wow are they expensive. Do you think it is worth it? I'm hoping the full report will be much more detailed but if not would an ed psych be my only option.

Personally I think an EP assessment and report is always preferably to a dyslexia assessor’s report, but it depends on what you want to achieve.

I think what I want is;

• proper support in school now
• to know what I should be actually asking the school for, as you say I think it's a bit woolly and I'm not an expert
• an assessment for ADHD
• the ability to choose a school with a strong SEN department due to limited local options

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proper support in school now

Support in school doesn’t need a report or diagnosis. However, the only way to guarantee specific support is via an EHCP. If you feel one is needed you can apply yourself, IPSEA have a model letter. If you go down this route I wouldn’t pay for any more assessments right now unless money is no issue. If you apply and need to appeal at any point any report now may well be considered out of date by the tribunal. And if the LA agree to assess the EHCNA will include an EP assessment - you may find that is it sufficient but you e.g. need an independent SALT or OT assessment.

to know what I should be actually asking the school for, as you say I think it's a bit woolly and I'm not an expert

Unfortunately, for a detailed, specified and quantified report you will need a report from someone with Tribunal experience.

an assessment for ADHD

This can be done without any report. In some areas you can self refer, in others you will need a referral, the GP will be able to do this.

the ability to choose a school with a strong SEN department due to limited local options

The only ways to guarantee a specific school is either via naming it in an EHCP or if the school has a exceptional medical and social needs category. However, being considered under the latter isn’t easy. You will need professional evidence that only that school is suitable. The extracts from the dyslexia assessor’s report wouldn’t be anywhere near enough.