DLA money - what to spend it on?

[Worriedmotheroftwo]

Absolutely delighted to have just been awarded DLA money for my 5 year old son - and more than we expected.

My question is, what support should I get for him now that we can afford it?

He has an ADHD diagnosis. He is hyperactive and impulsive, and struggles with focus. He gets very emotional very quickly. He struggles with friendships, gets anxious, and can lash out (thankfully rare there days). He is going through an ASD assessment too. He is hypermobile and a little behind in writing.

He sees a SALT on a weekly basis already, and now we can afford for him to see an OT weekly as well who can work on writing skills with him. What other support can I get for him now? Something that might help him understand emotions better? We couldn't afford it before so I didn't really look into ny additional paid support, but now we have the money I'm not sure what support is even available!

Thamks in advance.

If you haven't had a high quality EP assessment, that could be worth doing at some point in order to get more information on executive function challenges and any other difficulties including thigs like socialisation skills. Could help guide the OT? But not sure at what age you'd get the most benefit from this.

I would request an EHCNA and save the money for if you need to appeal and seek independent reports. SALT, OT (including sensory OT), other therapies can only be included in an EHCP. This way you will save money in the long run and the DLA can be used for things other than therapies.

SALT, OT and MH therapies can all help with emotional regulation. Is the school offering any emotional literacy support? Do they have anyone who can support Zones of Regulation work? Do they have a nurture group or forest school?

Many thanks. We are applying for an EHCNA actually - SENCo is finishing off application at the mo.

MH therapy... mental health therapy I'm guessing? What does this involve and who do I look for?

Is the school offering any emotional literacy support? Do they have anyone who can support Zones of Regulation work? Do they have a nurture group or forest school?
Honestly, not really sure. Have heard zone's of regulation mentioned. Think there is an ELSA but need to find out moee...
Thanks, any other ideas please let me know!

If you haven't had a high quality EP assessment, that could be worth doing at some point in order to get more information on executive function challenges and any other difficulties including thigs like socialisation skills.

That's a good idea. We assumed we'd get an EP assessment when we apply for an EHCP, but would you recommend arranging for our own privately anyway? Tempted to do that actually.

If you are applying for an EHCNA then timing is a factor. The LA will do an EP assessment so you could sit back and see how adequate that is. In my neck of the woods they are cursory and a means of rationing provision in plans, but people have much better experiences in some local areas.

For us there was no comparison whatsoever with the assessment undertaken by a very experienced independent EP which transformed our understanding of our child, their needs, challenges, strengths and potential. Potential is particularly important as some schools and LAs are happy for SEND children to bump along the bottom so long as they are not too challenging or adversely impacting attendance or performance targets (when in fact diagnosis/treatment/needs assessment/adjustments and provision should potentially be transformative in increasing the accessibility of school/the accessibility of the curriculum - but obviously this depends on your child).

The timing issue is this, if you end up having to appeal, you want a recent indepedent EP assessment as they can quite quickly be considered too old to be relevant. Appeals take a long time.

Sorry, yes, by MH therapy I meant mental health therapy. There’s lots of different types e.g. play therapy, art therapy, animal assisted therapy. Given DC’s age play therapy might be a good place to start.

99.9% of the time independent assessments are far and away better than LA assessments. However, personally, unless money is no object I wouldn’t have an independent EP assessment now. Anyone good will have a waiting list and you don’t want to delay requesting an EHCNA. Also, if the LA agree to assess but e.g. refuse to issue and you have to appeal, as many do, by the time you get to a hearing any report now may well be considered out of date. Previously reports were considered up to date for around 2 years, but over the last few years SENDIST have considered reports much younger out of date. And, if the LA e.g. agree to assess but not issue you may decide instead you desperately need to target your money at e.g. independent OT and SALT reports and the LA EP report will do (not brilliant but satisfactory to get you over the threshold to issue compared to the need to get independent SALT and OT). In a perfect world you would have all, but if that isn’t possible it helps to be able to target the money exactly where you need it at that moment in time.

Thanks- that's all so helpful!

I would wait for the LA one. If a private one does the same tests it will give false results if repeated within 6 months. Potentially it could like they are more able than they are because they have already had practice at them.

Oh I see - hadn't thought of that at all! Many thanks.

Many tests can’t actually be repeated within certain timescales. Mostly, different tests can be used though.

One of his issues is controlling his emotions and self-regulation. What sort of person could help him with this (maybe who could work with him on this over the summer holiday)? I just don't know what's 'out' there!

Oh, or is that what play therapy does?

Play therapy could help. As could OT.