Can someone explain to me what Statementing is about?

[Eloise73]

Hi

Our DD (who is an adorable 2.9 years old) is having her DISCO assessment over the next 2 weeks at White Lodge in Chertsey. We suspect she will be diagnosed ASD so are sort of prepared for it (as prepared as you can be I guess).

Although they've explained to me the process of the DISCO assessment I still don't really understand things that people talk about on here like getting statements and funding. Can someone please let me know what these things are about or point me in the right direction for finding out more? Is this something they will explain to me at White Lodge? Has anyone here had kids who were assessed there?

Thanks for your help

some useful stuff here SEN code of practice, sossen and ipsea

it can all be very overwhelming and it's likely you will often be told to "wait and and see" how things go, it's not always the right thing to do, so always good to check with mners in a similar position

hope all goes well with your dds assessment.

sorry, ipsea again!

You also hear people talking about a statutory assessment. This is the assessment which can result in a statement being issued. Basically the process is

1 The Early Years setting or parents write to SEN services at the LEA asking them to carry out a statutory assessment.

2 A panel meets to decide whether to carry out an assessment. They write to parents explaining the decision.

3 If the have agreed to assess they request reports from everyone involved with the child.

4 The reports are collated and considered and either if the child is deemed to have needs which cannot be met through normal school resources a statement of special educational need is issued detailing the child's needs and the resources required to meet them. The parents are asked to name the school where they would like those needs to be met. Sometimes the LEA agree and that's fine, other times the parent may have to appeal.

That's a very simplified version of events as I understand it. It can be a very difficult, stressful and confrontational process.

HTH

Thanks everyone, seems like I have heaps to read up on!

Thanks Starlight, i'm wanting to get it over with and i'm dreading it too. I suspect i'll be an emotional mess!