Dd is seeing LA Ed Psyche tomorrow (if she's well enough) and I'm nervous....

[Aero]

dunno - I just don't trust anyone employed by the LA to tell it like it really is. In short, Dd is 10, in Y6, has a dx of ADD and can't read, write or spell with any competence and has major numeracy issues to boot. All their strategies have not worked and dd has stopped progressing - no change in over a year in her levels, other than slipping backwards.

Everyone says she should be assessed - clinical psychologist, her paed, her SENCo, but the LA have already refused once. My evidence went in last week again re Statutory Assessment, but LA Ed psyche could only see her tomorrow, so not any time to get his report in as evidence before it goes to panel on Wednesday.

I'm sure they will say no again, but I will appeal this time. Such a minefield, but I feel we can't make a decision on where to educate her until we find out what her problems are exactly, yet we are due to choose by Friday. She won't have any preference to which school without a statement, but our two most local schools may not be suitable - one definitely isn't and the other I'm not sure yet. I feel she is dyslexic, but a private EP said she didn't feel Erin was dyslexic. Is there another term then for such difficulties? Ds2 (AS) is only 6 and in Y2 and has over-taken dd in all the core subjects!

I really could do without all this stress!!
(and we've all bee ill with the cold this week incl dd, who's still barking with the cough)

Hi

The Panel will not assess without the EP's report so you should put pressure on the EP to have the report available by Wed or the decision may have to be delayed a week / fortnight. It will only be a couple of A4 pages at best so they should be able to do this by Wed.

Don't focus too much on the dx - focus on the actual difficulties as they are what the spport is required for.

Don't worry about the Fri deadline for choosing a school. Just tell the LA you cannot make that decision until the EP report has been received and a decison has been made by the Panel. That's a reasonable request in the circumatsnces and the LA must act reasonably.

Take control and start laying down what you want from the LA rather than running to their timescales.

Best wishes

Good luck! :)

WetAugust - thank you. I wouldn't have even thought of that. Yes, it is the support I'm focussing on. I just find it hard to believe dd isn't dyslexic, but whatever her actual problem, dyslexia teaching would more than probably be of benefit to her!

Thanks too woolytree.

I'm in a similar situation. SA was refused earlier this year, I argued the ridiculous reasons for refusal and am now going through assessment. We have to get school choice in by end Oct but I was advised by Admissions Dept to tick the box stating I have a statement,even though we haven't yet, then give them further details. Ticking the box means they will extract the application and look at it rather than put it in with the others apparently. Oh,and we don't have dx at all yet - it's all about need.