Need help with process for SEN child

[mumofdragons]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if I can get some advice/help with the process of things that need to be in place for suspected ASD DS.

DS has been referred to ASD, SALT, & OT. He has had his SALT appointment and is starting social and communication therapy in September. We are still waiting for ASD appointment and have OT appointment soon.
DS will be starting Nursey in September and I have applied for a EHCP. He needs a one to one as he is unable to understand, feed himself or use the toilet - he is still in nappies. I am worried he won't get the support he needs in school. I have spoken to the SENCO, teachers are aware of DS additional needs. How or who do I ask about play therapy as I feel he will benefit a lot from this?

He is my 4th child but the first with additional needs, so I just want to make sure that I have everything in place for him so he can grow and be happy. If anyone has any advice if I've missed anything, thank you so much 😊

Where are you in the EHCP process? If the LA agrees to assess, assessments such as SALT and OT assessments can be included in the needs assessment without the need to sit on the normal waiting lists.

In the meantime, the nursery can apply for early years inclusion funding. You don’t say how old DS is, but it is available from 2 in some areas and in other areas it isn’t available until 3. If DS receives DLA and is 3 or 4, they can also apply for DAF funding.

If an EHCP is issued, play therapy can be included in there.

I am just sending it off as we needed evidence and we've just receive SALTS report from the initial assessment.

DS has just turns 3 this year. We are in the process of applying for DLA, we're waiting to hear back with a decision. That is great information, thank you.

Do you want him in Nursey if he's in a large family. Siblings get on fab - they have naturally interaction anyways multiple times a day with different children

I wouldn't of put my boy into nursery knowing what I know now - it was traumatic - everyone is different and equally the child is too (he's 1/4 so large family(

However I'd of kept it at home for a couple more years to chill out with me and not to try and force Nursey

Sorry different viewpoint but hey ho ....

Or maybe if it's down time you need - add a cleaner in ....

There are always poorly from nursery. If the child is happy to go to nursery that's fine - if they aren't absolutely not worth pushing it. They are tiny ....

Good luck!

I'm not forcing nursery on him, he has never been to a nursery before except for a few weeks and I wasn't comfortable leaving him there - so I took him out and kept him at home. When he was at nursery for that short time, he loved it. I'm not doing this for me, I am doing it for him. I feel this will be good for him, it's his siblings school and my old primary school. My sister will be in his nursery class but obviously not leaving him before, I can't help but worry a little even with my sister there - as there are 30 kids that also need attention.

Hopefully he will love it and they will be great with him.

If he's crying and not wanting to go in I wouldn't force it .... that was my mistake! "As he's fine once he's in and settled 😂"

Children know best even at 2/3 years old. Trust them.

Hope he enjoys nursery. My boy hated it even with the manager with 40 years experience he's got no sen - that's quite laughable now - she was no specialist to diagnose a child or not - quite naughty really - mummy always knows best 🤩

Good luck - I hope he enjoys it - but I was so clueless - but I hope your child is happy 🤞 x

He will definitely be leading the way, if he is not happy I won't be leaving him there. My mum will be doing the school run once he is settled in, as I am working but she knows also not to leave him unless he is happy & comfortable. Thank you, I hope he is happy there too x

If mainstream nursery doesn’t work, you could look at specialist placements. Some LAs have specialist early years assessment places that don’t require a finalised EHCP.