How to find an EP

[pain1nthearse]

Hi,

I suspect my Year 5 boy (almost 10) has some undiagnosed needs - maybe ADHD inattentive / processing issues / maybe dysgraphia or dsylexia. I started a thread on AIBU which talks in more detail about his issues in school that appear to be getting worse each year e.g. he is starting to misbehave in class (very unlike him) if anyone is interested in viewing.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5024190-how-to-handle-sons-behaviour-and-learning-at-school?page=2&reply=133625636

Anyway, I have decided I need to start the process of getting an assessment done with an EP. I haven't yet raised the possibility of ND with the school although I am having regular meetings with his teacher about his lack of engagement / poor output of work. It was only last night that he opened up about how much he is struggling in class - what the teacher says doesn't make sense to him or he gets distracted so misses what she'd saying etc. I am seeing his teacher Monday so will discuss my suspicions then. I don't think they will refer him as he isn't on the SENDCo's radar at all and is seen as quite able. I will go privately if it means we can move things along although I am aware finding a private EP at the moment is really difficult due to shortages.

My question though is how do I find one / get recommendations? What groups should I join to try and find one? A friend has sent me some links that she has investigated for her child but I want to be as thorough as possible in my search. I'm totally new to this so any advice much appreciated. TIA

You should request a meeting with the SENCO. Being able doesn’t preclude SENCO involvement. What support is the school providing?

If you want an independent EP assessment asking around at a local group of parents with DC with SEN or an EHCP support group locally will give you recommendations. If you post where you are people on here may have recommendations.

An EP can’t diagnose ADHD so you should ask the school or GP about a referral for that.

You should also consider requesting an EHCNA. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. If the LA agree to assess the EHCNA will include an EP assessment. If you are going to request an EHCNA I wouldn’t look at an independent assessment as this point unless money is no object. Anyone good will have a waiting list and you don’t want to delay applying for an EHCNA. Also, if you have to appeal further down the line, as many do, by the time you get to a hearing any report now may well be considered out of date. And you may decide you need to target your money at other reports e.g. SALT or OT.

Thanks for this - I will be asking for a meeting with the SENCo next week. Support is being given but it's very ad hoc / bit scattergun. The teacher frequently checks in with him, does he understand what he's doing now / next, gives praise etc. but not really much else. I think his poor behaviour (chatting / being silly) is taking up alot of her time and leasd to a negative spiral I guess.

I thought an EP can diagnose ADHD?? Just reading back what an EP has sent me in terms of what an assessment covers and they say "Additional questionnaire measures may also be used to screen for neurodevelopmental differences (e.g. ASD, ADHD) where appropriate. Onward referral would then be made for full diagnostic assessment where necessary." So i guess they just screen for it but if the screening shows its present, I would then need to get a specific diagnosis from an expert i.e. psychiatrist? Is that right? Which is obviously additional costs.

I didn't think his needs were complex / severe enough to warrant an EHCP - I was looking more for a diagnosis to give him more access to additional support and reasonable adjustments if needed for SATs / secondary school. But perhaps that's what lots of parents think at the start - finding it all quite overwhelming and anxiety - inducing!

The school should be providing more support. Support in schools and reasonable adjustments are based on needs, not diagnosis. A diagnosis alone won’t result in additional support. From your posts here and on the thread you linked to I think you should request an EHCNA. The threshold for an EHCNA is relatively low - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP.

An EP can recommend further assessment for ADHD but they wouldn’t diagnose. You would need a separate referral for that. On the NHS, who that referral would be to depends on your area. In some areas it is to CAMHS and in others it is to a separate neurodevelopmental team.

Thanks. If I start the process via a private assessment, do I then need to carry on along a private pathway to get a full diagnosis (if it looks like he needs one) or can you then be referred back to the NHS for diagnosis?

If you have an independent EP assessment you can also request the GP or school refers for an NHS ADHD assessment.

If you have a private ADHD assessment and affording ongoing private prescriptions would be a problem, you first need to check your GP will take on shared care.

You know the EHCP assessment includes an Ed psych assessment? So depending on money, you may want to prioritise a private ADHD assessment and also request an ECHNA. You can do the latter yourself - you don't have to wait for school.

The point of the ECHNA is to find out what his needs are.