Is ICAN as good as it sounds?

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We have a SALT who is quite good and visits preschool twice a term, and weekly visits from a support teacher who specialises in communication. DS is still about 20 months behind in his receptive language

Can ICAN help us? The website sounds fantastic but I dont know if hope is clouding my judgment, or whether they would be able to do anymore than the support we already have.

I had a multi-disciplinary assessment at ICAN for DS. The reports we got back were very comprehensive, about 2x16 pages based on two days of assessments. It was helpful for tribunal etc.

I'm not sure if they do any on-going support though - they run some special schools, are you interested in trying to get into one of those?

It is quite expensive and I guess if you already have SALT input then you've already had SALT assessments done? Their assessments include EP and OT as well though, but it might not be worth paying for the whole package if you only need some elements of it iyswim.

I was thinking more of assessment so that I can know exactly where we are and how we move forward - we have has portage assessments but nothing concrete, all a bit vague and a little objective. The OT bit is the part that I was most interested in.

When you say expensive, how expensive are we talking?

ok we went last year and was £1600 for that you get Ep , salt and specialist teacher reports .They do have bursaries available depending on income

Is it worth in a shell yes .Was the most comprehensive assements and reports done and as its done by qualified proffesionals with standarised tests it carries weight

First time ever really felt that had proper idea of ds strenths and weaknesse

Their report got ds place at speech unit even nhs salt was impressed with it

and its no accident that ds speech unit is run by former ican teacher.

Infact ican helped me with finding units and what to ask

I think it was £1600 which is good value for two days and the input of OT/SALT/EP and specialist teacher. But if you just need the OT bit you could get an assessment done in an hour or two and it would be £500 or less.

It is very useful for getting an overview and advice on future provision etc. I think they are especially good with speech and language (rather than, e.g. the sensory side of ASD). And it's an advantage that they have all the professionals come together to discuss their findings so the conclusions are more joined- up.

The OT we saw there didn't look at sensory issues - mainly things like gross/fine motor skills which meant that it was less useful for us than it could have been.

£1600 is alot of money, but he isnt 4 until March so I do have a bit of time to save :O.

It took quite a few months for a place to come up, so it might be worth getting in touch with them to put your name down now. Also do ask about their bursaries.

I will do that, thank you.

I am currently looking for a private OT which might help DS until their assessment.

Yes there report spelt out exactly what ds needed even the Lea could see it honestly best thing ever have done if could moved nearer would have fought for a place there

very fortunate ds teacher in the unit has kept up contact with the school only left as commute was to much

Yes, ICAN is brilliant, DS2 had his pre-school nursery year at our local ICAN here in NI (which has now closed due to funding) and the help he received was exceptional.

Ooh - troublewithtalk - is that your blog? It looks fantastic and I wondered who it was :)