IEP

[Barbadosgirl]

We have our 7 year old’s first IEP meeting next month. He has suspected ADHD and the initial threshold application has been made to our Local Authority for an assessment. I have no idea what to expect from this or how to prepare. His main issues are with learning. There is a huge gap between his hugely interesting, imaginative little mind and insightful ideas and questions and his reading, writing and maths. He also has the classic stims/inability to sit still/focus and needs lots of prompting. My biggest aim is for him to get the support he needs to do the best he can at school without crushing his self esteem.

Any tips from you wise lot?

ADHD is diagnosed via the NHS (or privately) and IEPs are a school level support plan, so what is the referral to the LA for? An EHCNA?

Think about what is working well and what isn’t, what has previously been tried but didn’t help, support you think is required, DS’s likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses, what is important to DS/you and what is important for DS, how DS communicates/how others communicate with him.

Has DS tried a laptop and assistive technology? Has he tried a scribe (although without an EHCP the school is unlikely to provide this all the time)? What has the school already tried to support DS’s sensory needs?

Thank you. In my borough ADHD assessments are conducted by an NHS run mental health service operating within the borough. So when I say it has gone to the LA I mean them. Am not sure what an EHCNA is.

At the moment he has a one to one for reading every week. Extra TA support in the classroom to help with instructions etc and he has fidget toys and sits near the front of the class and he has the warmest, most understanding teacher who never makes him feel naughty or annoying. I think his reading is improving but I am struggling to help with maths.

I would have thought knowing how they are they will let him have assistive tech in the classroom if it will help. The school get pupil premium for him so we might be able to explore if it would be looking into some extra tech.

Thanks for the tips

LA normally means local authority, so your council, rather than your NHS service.

An EHCNA is an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment. It is the assessment that is first requested as part of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process. It definitely sounds like an EHCP is required. That could provide more support, including therapies such as SALT and OT.