Neurodiversity: what should we expect from school

[Equimum]

Hi,
for context, I have been questioning whether our youngest son is neurodivergent since he was a toddler. I've been fobbed off repeatedly, but school came back last year and said they feel he might have DCD & inattentive ADHD. We queried autism and they said he made good eye contact and had friends (he attends a very small school and has a bestie with ASD).

Anyway, they agreed to refer him for ADHD & DCD assessments in June, but despite regular chasing the SENCo has only just got round to preparing the referral. There is a high number of SEN kids at the school and we have been repeatedly told that they are legally obliged to deal with EHCPs first.

anyway, they are still doubting autism, and the referrals have not been sent. In the meantime, DSs behaviour has become more challenging at home. He melts down every evening in the post school periods and has given up afterschool activities as they are just too much. I have suggested this is due to masking, but have been told boys don't tend to mask and they don't see autism in him in school.

for the first time, this term, he has been given an ILP which is largely focused around literacy and physical co-ordination.

How much should we be pushing the school for these assessment referrals to be made, and do we have a right to insist he is referred for autism assessment as well (both his riding and Beaver teachers have assumed he has ASD; that's how obvious it is).

We have also been told that if he gets diagnosis, there is no point requesting an EHCP. This is even though he struggles academically (is the oldest in his year, but working well behind) and struggles. He does okay at his very small primary school (95 kids), but we know it will be a different story at secondary school. Is this correct, or can be fight for one?

TIA

Have you been given an indication as to how long it might take for him to be seen? I only ask because, where I live, the waiting time from receipt of referral to triage appointment is 4 years. As a result, no one’s in that much of a rush to get them in!

You can apply for an EHCNA yourself. You don’t have to have a diagnosis, but evidence of need. If he’s working at a low level academically, that would be evidence of need.

There are model letters that you can use as a template.

2 separate points.

1. Referral for diagnostic assessment. Have you checked if you can self refer? If you can’t and the school is dragging their heels, see if the GP can. Unfortunately, you can’t force the school to refer for an ASD assessment. What you can do is point out their view of autism is outdated. Eye contact and having friends doesn’t rule out autism, and some boys do mask.
2. Support in school. This is based on needs, not diagnosis. The school must make their best endeavours to meet a pupil’s SEN. The ILP should cover all needs. The coke bottle effect you describe indicates there are unmet needs at school. You don’t need a diagnosis to get an EHCP. If you think one is required, don’t be put off by the school. Some schools incorrectly tell parents their DC don’t need or won’t get an EHCP, but the parents go on to successfully request an EHCNA themselves.