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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Potential SEN child starting nursery

1 reply

damee · 04/12/2023 18:24

Hi everyone

so DD has been suspected to have autism for quite some time (she’s 2 years 3 months now) and starts nursery in January. They seem like a brilliant nursery and everyone has said such good things about them including parents of children who have additional needs who attended the nursery.

our HV came out to do 2 year review for DD and has agreed / shared our concerns and has referred DD to the integrated early years service and SALT teams. Reason being is there are specialist teachers within the integrated early years who will observe DD at nursery etc and put a support plan in place, assist staff and also offer play groups with us as a family to attend and meet other parents and receive constructive advice etc. our HV said she couldn’t refer to a peadriatician without reports from IEYS and SALT as the referral would be sent straight back so she’s going to review after we’ve seen all services and then send off a referral to a peadriatician for an autism assessment along with all the other services reports.

I guess I’m just posting here really for some reassurance and guidance from other parents who have been through the same. I feel really on edge and anxious about DD starting nursery and I can’t put my finger on why really other then the “what ifs” which I’m sure you’re all aware of. I feel like the support DD needs is finally making an appearance and I’ve not got a clue what to expect which I feel is where some of the nerves stem from. What can I expect going forward? Any advice?

OP posts:
BlueBrick · 04/12/2023 20:56

The diagnostic process is different in different areas, so no-one here will be able to tell you what the diagnostic process will be like.

Support in nursery is based on needs, not diagnosis. Have you spoken to them?

If they need more advice, as well as the IEYS, they can ask the Area SENCO for advice. Depending on what LA you are in, if the nursery needs more funding to meet DD’s needs, they can apply for early years inclusion funding. In some LAs, this is available at 2, in others not until 3 years old.

Also, if DD needs support that is beyond what is typically available at a nursery level or may need it, you can look at requesting an EHCNA.

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