Do I push for an EHCP or do I accept what the school are saying?

[blueyandbingobaby]

DD8 has been diagnosed dyslexic and on the ADHD pathway. She is starting to not like school for the first time ever and I just want to make sure I'm advocating for her in the best way I can.
I met with teacher and SENCO early January and the following were promised;

• phonics assessment
• SENCO to observe DD in class
• monitor progress in 2 out of class reading groups she is in

None of these have happened yet and I mentioned the idea of an EHCP- teacher advised that DD is on level 2 of the windscreen model and they wouldn't apply until she was on level 4 of need.

The issues I am having is her teacher works part time, so the teacher/teachers that make up the other time don't seem to be aware of her issues and therefore she doesn't want to go to school on those days (these have been different issues from the teacher shouting - to the teacher timing exercised and DD not being able to cope with that)

She masks in school and appears to just explode when she comes home. She has a very high IQ as realised during the dyslexia assessment (not by an EP) so I think school are not too concerned as she is just middling along, not top of the class but not the very bottom either.

I have also toyed with the idea of paying privately for an Educational Psychologist assessment, but wonder if this is a help or hinderance with school and the EHCP process? If i were to do this and the ED Psych recommended various different things be put in place, would the school then go down the EHCP route?

I also know i can apply myself for an EHCP, but the school not being on board puts me off. However i do want to ensure that if needed she has one before secondary school, as the feeder secondary school has a notoriously woeful SEN depart and I think with the way her ADHD presents she will massively struggle with the difference from primary.

Any advise? Do I ...

• Pay private Ed psych and then apply for EHCP myself
• Plod along and trust school hoping she doesn't fall further behind in year 5 and 6

The SENCO is a full time teacher so actually getting to speak to her is very difficult

She masks in school and appears to just explode when she comes home.

This is quite common. It’s called the coke bottle effect.

I would apply for an EHCNA now, you have nothing to lose. IPSEA have a model letter you can use. Don’t be put off by the school not agreeing, you don’t need them to.

You don’t to pay for an independent EP prior to applying. If the LA agree to assess one will be part of the EHCNA. Personally, unless money is no issue I wouldn’t seek an assessment before applying. If the LA e.g. do agree to assess but then refuse to issue by the time you get to an appeal hearing it may well be out of date. Previously reports were considered up to date for around 2 years but over the last few years SENDIST have considered much younger reports out of date. Also you may find the LA’s EP report is OK, but you need to prioritise independent SALT and OT.

If you did seek an EP assessment it’s not possible to predict whether the school would then apply for an EHCNA or not, or whether they would implement any recommendations without an EHCP.

I would chase up the agreed plan from the meeting. Do this via email and follow up any future verbal conversations with emails so you have a paper trail.

I don't have too much to add, but have a DD8 too. She isn't dyslexic (according to the dyslexia assessment), but has a high IQ - found out at the assessment - and is struggling to meet the expected standard in writing / maths. Is fine with reading. Possible dyspraxia? Not sure - also seems to have attention difficulties and struggles with noise. She just seems to be falling further behind and I, like you, am worried about what will happen between now and secondary.

If I was you, and could afford it, I think I'd go try to get an EP assessment, although the dyslexia assessment should definitely be enough for the school to do something with anyway - so I'd chase the things that they've promised. A friend with a child the same age with diagnosed dyslexia meets the school every half term for a catch up - is this something you could suggest, if you're not having that already.

Have you tried Nessy for spelling / writing? Also, I've seen this book recommended and we've found it helpful: www.amazon.co.uk/Step-Help-Children-ADHD-Self-Help/dp/1849050708/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1WXGK3DYY7PSC&keywords=child+adhd&qid=1677608934&sprefix=child+adhd%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-5

Good luck, I really feel for you. I think often schools aren't too bothered unless a child falls massively behind, but to us, as parents, it's heartbreaking because we can see how much it's affecting them and we fear for their future.

Absolutely apply for the EHCP. I have an SEN daughter with dyslexia and ADHD as well as others things. Was the dyslexia a full diagnostic assessment or a dyslexia screening? As that makes a difference.

Also think about the future, if she already masks, explodes and doesnt want to go to school then if the situation is likely to get worse. Getting an EHCP now and getting her the support now will help her now and growing up.

@JustKeepBuilding
Will it go against me/DD if the school don't agree that she needs a EHCNA as don't the LA contact the school for their opinion?

I'm normally quite a confident person but for some reason struggling with effectively 'going over their heads' and applying myself. But you're right, I don't need them to agree, would just be easier if they did!

@naturemumma
Thanks for your reply! It is hard isn't it, I feel like i'm watching from the sidelines and I'm trying my best at home, we're going Toebytoe to help with reading which is going good. From the assessment she had, she had an extremely low score on 'Phonemic decoding efficiency' and 'Phonological awareness' so she gets along ok reading by guessing the context of the story, she can't sound out and blend unknown words in isolation. Not sure how to help and tbh the assessment recommendations were just a few apps to try!
I will have a look at Nessy and the book you recommended thank you!

@Sharkpenis
(love your name!)
It was a full diagnostic assessment, with many pages of things that mean absolutely nothing to me!
This is my view, i don't want to wait until we're at crisis point when we can start helping now. Does your daughter have an EHCP? Was the process hard? What do the school now in place to help her in class?

DD's school say they are helping, but this amounts to colour over lays and buff paper with no way of knowing or monitoring if they make any difference at all!?

The LA will contact the school and it is easier if they are supportive but you can still get an EHCP even if the school aren’t supportive of an EHCNA request. Sadly, some schools say DC won’t get or don’t need an EHCP but the parents go on to successfully apply themselves so don’t let that put you off.

Sorry @JustKeepBuilding another question - I have a template request and on the section which says My reasons for believing that [child / young person’s name] may need an EHC plan are: - Do I include issues she is having at home? Or strictly how it is effecting her in school?

It says Examples include a need for specialist teaching, individual support beyond what the school can provide, therapies from external specialists, or specialist equipment. Do I just research myself here what I think she needs? I've read SALT can be really beneficial with her dyslexia for example but I obviously don't actually know that etc.
I'm finding it hard to think of what to write when I really what them to tell me what she needs if that makes sense.

Yes include all reasons. Difficulties at home can be a result of unmet needs at school. This is likely to be the case since you say DD is masking at school and exploding at home. If DD’s needs were better met at school home life would be easier. Remember to think about all areas, not just academic ability/progress.

Include any provision you think DD requires. Yes include SALT and OT (including sensory OT) if you think they may be needed - you don’t have to be certain they are needed. What other recommendations are made by the dyslexia report? Also other provision, for example, DD may need assistive technology and specialist software beyond what can typically be provided at a school level or more 1:1 or very small group intervention. It is difficult to say from the limited amount of information but since you mention DD doesn’t want to go to school sometimes she may also benefit from mental health therapies. You can also add that DD requires an EHCNA as a comprehensive assessment is the only way to truly know her difficulties and what support she requires. Remember to include any evidence you have.

You don’t have to prove an EHCP is necessary, only that is may be necessary.

@JustKeepBuilding
Following your advice I have typed out an EHCNA request in detail and think I have covered everything necessary, now just to bite the bullet and send it.
I informed the school via email that I understand what they are saying re their graduated approach but that I will still be applying for the EHCNA myself.
The SenCo rang me today (after being unreachable/ignoring me) advising that they have now sent the ADHD referral and phonics assessment was completed but she doesnt know the results.
She went on to talk about the schools Social, emotional and mental health service and how she would put DD on the waiting list for intervention that may take place next term but may not depending on numbers.
After that she went on to talk about the EHCP and that she understands my concern but basically said that if I send off a request then the school are contacted to provide information and they don't currently have a lot of evidence to support and application at this time. She said she doesn't want to 'put me off' but that is pretty much what she was doing.

If the school complete their part of the request saying there is no evidence she needs an EHCP, how much weight does this carry in the LA decision of whether to assess. My request is extensive, i've named all her difficulties, what support I think she needs.
I have included a line about the fact that she has a very high IQ, and i feel that this is impacting the support she is getting because she is not 'far enough' behind. Do you think it is ok to say this?

Ignore the school trying to put you off. Sadly many schools say DC don’t need or wouldn’t get an EHCP (either at all or yet) but parents go on to successfully apply themselves.

Sometimes LAs do use the school’s lack of concern/support as a reason to refuse to assess but if they do you should appeal. The vast majority of appeals are upheld. Some LAs refuse most requests as a matter of course regardless of evidence/support from school anyway.

Personally I would focus on EHCNAs being about more than academic ability alone rather than on DD’s high IQ. As refusing to provide SEN support &/or undertake an EHCNA &/or issue an EHCP based on cognitive ability/academic ability isn’t lawful.