My child just been put on SEN register

[GladAmberOtter]

So here goes, went to the school for a meeting, to be told my DC is behind snd now being put on SEN register. DC is 5 and 4 months. Year 1. One of the youngest in the year. The SEN teacher did point out this would not be for good, it’s just a way oif her catching up. Im obviously shocked,I knew she said a bit behind, but not this much! She says she seems get things one minute then forgets it the next. I wonder if there are any teachers here or ex teachers on here that cpuld give some insight? Im worried about her being pigeoned holed and im also concerned that we may be going down the route of labelling when a child doesnt automatically click into place. Im slightly surprised and shocked, we dont really observe this at home. Are the standards too high? Are we expecting too much?!!

I would embrace it and grab any help that they have on offer - and celebrate being in a school that takes the time to see that your DD is struggling and wants to support.

I wouldn't worry about being pigeon-holed. Even with multiple diagnoses, reports, medication and all the tech, I still find I have to remind teachers on a regular basis that DD has a SEN plan. And that all their 'DD needs to do x and y' is suddenly miraculously explained when they check. Nope, she can't spell - but she is severely dyslexic. Yes, she does need to focus more, but we are kind of aware of that given she has primarily inattentive ADHD!

And even if they do have a label, it doesn't change who they are as people or make them lesser. It should hopefully just mean that they can operate on a slightly more level playing field.

If it turns out that it was just a bit of a blip then that is fine too, but worth keeping an eye on. I have never met anyone who wishes that their DC's SEN had been picked up later than it was.

I second @OhCrumbsWhereNow’s post. It is brilliant the school has recognised DD is struggling and needs some support.

It isn’t uncommon for DC to present differently in different settings. It doesn’t mean either view of the child’s presentation is wrong, just different in different settings.

Being on the SEN register doesn’t have to mean DD is pigeon-holed, and it doesn’t have to be seen as a negative.

Means literally nothing, it’s a procedure for you to access support.

Just to bring a positive story,
My DS was put on the SEN register in reception, now year 1.
It has brought him nothing but good, they have a lot in place for him and he's so much happier in a lot of ways.

I agree to embrace it

Thank you. Have you noticed an improvement? Do you think he will be taken off the register?

Massive improvement, in his work and his mood.

He'll stay on it due to ASD

The register is an internal school thing as far as I have ever been aware. It doesn't come with funding, or help, nor is it something visible to agencies outside the school.

I'm not sure that you ever come off it once you are on it - just that the majority of schools don't have the time or resources to help a lot of children, even with quite extensive needs, so you can be on it and it never result in anyone even being aware.

Hence why it's great your child's school are doing this. Most of us have spent years jumping up and down trying to get support.

Children can come off the register. Schools should regularly review it. If you child is on the register there should be a regular review with your input as they will have an individual learning plan (or whatever your school calls it)

Children can be removed from the SEN register.

It will mean that there’s some additional support and that might make all the difference. If it does, he won’t need to be on the register and if it doesn’t, it shows that the school have put strategies in place to support him and if something more formal is needed, they’ll have the evidence of what they’ve already done to improve his outcomes.