New poster - has anyone used a request for stat assessment to kick all the other professionals up the bum?

[loulou77]

Or am I being ridiculous? Did you just laugh hollowly at my naivety?

By way of introduction, I have lurked for ages since DS1 has been going through the (very long, drawn out) process of being assessed.

18 months since first properly rasied concerns, DS1 (3.10) has 15 hours 1-1 at mainstream pre-school and has a visit at school/home from the early years Communication & Interaction team nearly every day (basically play based learning sessions for us both).

So, he is on everyone's radar and has been given a lot of help considering we have no DX and no statement. SALT have reviewed (and are parking him because the C & I team are doing everything SALT would do, apparently) and I have had 2 visits from Ed Psych (no assessment done yet). Have had one good meeting with Paed, he is apparently collecting reports from all these people and then will meet again to do further assessments/diagnose (no deadlines set for this, no requests for info sent to anyone that I can establish).

DS starts (MS) school next Sept. I want him assessed because there is no way he will cope at school without 1-1. Also, everyone bar the C & I team and pre-school are basically fannying around and I have it on the QT that the Ed Psych is going on mat leave in January and "doesn't believe anything needs to be done in a hurry" about DS1 (I get you, pass him on to a colleague). I want to chivvy everyone along, and wondered if ANOTHER interested party got involved, needing reports, this might make matters more urgent for everyone?

All the professionals are pleasant and I respect their professional judgement....they are just so SLOW. If I fire off my request for Stat assessment with DS's IEPs, and what other (meagre) paperwork I have, will the LEA have to chase all these guys up? Or am I being really foolish...do I want to chase each lot of professionals myself and do the LEAs job for them?

Am about to do kids' tea but I shall be back, any advice would be very gratefully received...am feeling a bit lost today.

TIA x

I requested SA was told no and when I received the paperwork found that EP and behaviour support had not even bothered to write any comments in support of SA even though ds was well known to them. I managed to get the decision to assess overturned and now they have to re-visit and complete full reports etc.. Seems that most professionals are so busy that they'll only do the bare minimum unless LA needs the info. Be prepared to be told that you don't need/won't get one though. I was told this but thanks to the expert advice here just kept on fighting until LA saw sense

That's really great thank you for the quick response...I am very much floundering this week.

His needs are being met at the moment...but he's in a lovely, supportive pre-school and is having a lot of support (funded via EYA + I believe). The difference this support is already making is great.

However, funding for this is on a term by term basis so they could switch it off at Xmas...and his needs would not be met with the current level of support in a 60 year intake primary school (which is where he is currently heading).

I shall do as you say...phone call to paed first thing Monday. I can see they are going to love me down at the Child Development Centre.

xx

I love the name fightingthela! I hate fighting...but have already "managed" the paediatrician via a firm but flattering letter. Pity I am obviously a wet lettuce in the flesh

Lol I am not really a fighter at all. The great support here though has enabled me to get tough as you need a thick skin to put up with the constant fob-offs. Hope you get somewhere with the paed.

Oh no...my first Mumsnet faux pas...I love your name too Starlight! Twinkly.

Whereas my name is...well, let's be honest, shit x

LeonieDelt am glad you finally got an assessment. I hope everyone starts pulling together for you at last.

It sounds like it's going to be worth my submitting it even if it only puts ME on everyone's radar. And hopefully it will get the Ed Psych (who I liked until I heard she was putting the go -slow on us) to do her report before she goes on mat leave rather than foist us onto an overstretched colleague.

Thanks again for all the responses, I have been lurking around making notes for ages, and should have been on to thank everyone a long time before now.