Would you seek an assessment?

[Helloworld2221368]

Hey there, we've been noticing a few things with our 4 year old, lots of sensory stuff like persistent tip toe walking, hates grooming, hair washing, nail cutting, can't get things on her hands, constantly stripping off and extremely fussy eater. Difficulty coping with any sort of change and everything needs to be a certain way, lots of meltdowns after school but apparently fine in there. Can also bolt off at times. Am I right for looking at an assessment? Because school is going okay, I'm torn. Thank you very much.

I think you’re right but CAHMS in our area would say no and would refer you to early hlep. You can go down right to choose or private assessment but I we tempted to wait a little bit so things are more obvious either way durring assessment.

So would they be recommending things like OT etc?

In my experiences you will get a few links to websites and be offered a parenting course.

Yes, I would seek further assessment.

I would speak to the GP and the school.

Appearing to cope in school and exploding at home is known as the coke bottle effect. It signifies unmet needs. If school life was easier for DC, home life would improve too.

What support is the school providing?

Most ICBs don’t commission sensory OT on the NHS. If your area does, it is worth a referral.

Thank you all, really appreciate it. No support at present as we've just moved so looking at how to tackle it.

I have a 5 year old that I have concerns about, school said my DC is fine, so I didn't pursue it with them (though I am thinking they are starting to realise I may be on to something...)

I phoned up my GP who basically said, come and get a form, fill it in and we'll do the referral. Which is what I did. Handed it back to GP and within 2 hours had an email from the assessors to say that they had the referral and it will be 12-18 months for the assessment.

You don't need school to be on board at this point.

Request a meeting with the SENCO. It doesn’t matter if you are new.