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SEN

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

Newbie here pls chime in

2 replies

greekislandsparty · 12/12/2024 21:32

Hello everyone

My LO is 2.5. They attend a preschool which is run by a local charity. They are term time and only 9-3pm.

Recently they’ve said they think I should call SEN team for advise as they would like to refer to SEN for additional support for LO.

Their reasons are:

  • LO sometimes flaps hands (never as communication, usually contextual eg excitement)
  • LO didn’t want to touch shaving foam and maybe they are sensitive to certain textures. We did the activity at home and LO loved it.
  • LO is ‘a little behind’ eg - can’t yet use scissors. I told them we haven’t introduced scissors at home yet.
  • unable to play unless prompted and will sometimes play on the periphery (plays really well and independently at home)

My LO is an an engaging chatter box and although has a few quirks I don’t see that SEN involvement is required.

I called the SEN advice line and the lady I spoke with also didn’t think LO would meet the threshold and felt that preschool might be over cautious.

Can anyone explain this process to me? I feel like they’re trying to force me to consent to a referral (I know they can’t ) when I don’t see that level of concern myself as the child’s parent.

The preschool said they’d like someone to come in to observe little one and offer them support.

Ive told them o feel like I’m missing something bc I don’t understand why that’s necessary based on what they’ve told me.

2 year check was done just in September and no concerns from health visitor. I’ve Lao spoke to GP, no concerns from GP.

Obviously if I felt it would benefit LO I’d agree to a referral but I genuinely feel like there’s some pressure to do something that is not a necessity and I don’t get it.

Anyone experienced / knowledgeable in this field , please chime in so I can gain more of a 360 view. Thank you

OP posts:
BrightYellowTrain · 13/12/2024 10:43

Edited as posted on the wrong thread. It isn’t uncommon for DC to present differently in different setting, so I wouldn’t stop an observation from someone because you don’t see the behaviour at home. If the preschool is wanting to get someone (who?) to come in and observe/support DC, I would listen. If there’s nothing of concern, then nothing is lost.

Ellie56 · 26/12/2024 22:40

@greekislandsparty

What you need to remember is that the preschool deal with a lot of children and clearly your child is not presenting as other children of the same age do, which is why they have flagged up concerns.

Far better to agree to the referral and the observation so that if something is amiss, support can be put in early, rather than have problems further down the line and wish you had taken steps earlier.

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