frustrated with delays between assessments

[daireen]

My DS exhibits some ASD traits and some dyspraxia and we are still in the process of diagnosis. I've been trying to get the help he needs since year 1 and he is now in year 9. We just seem to be on a merry go round between health professionals, which I could tolerate if it didn't take so long between appointments.

The latest tale is that we waited 18 months for an priority OT assessment. The OT report took two months to arrive and whilst pointed out the areas of difficulty (none of which is severve enough apparently to qualify for any ongoing OT support) referred him on the Community Paediatrician. The CP appointment took 4 months and when we went we saw a Registrar who at to the end of the appointment decided he didn't know what to do next and would have to talk to the Consultant!. Have finally recieved a letter (3 weeks after the appointment) outlining their proposed next step an assessment in school which can't happen till March.

Any suggestions as to how to speed this process along? Going private is not an option.

I think what you've experienced is unfortunately fairly standard as far as waits for appointments. Is the school supportive? You could see if they'd ring and ask them if they could come in sooner. Otherwise I generally ring and say I'll take a short notice cancellation for an appointment, sometimes it pays off.

do you think he needs a statement? How's school, does he get support?

The SENCO is helpful, but the support he gets in school is patchy. It really comes down to whether or not the individual class teachers can be bothered. His IEP states when he should get extra support in specific situations (precise language, scribe for tests etc). Some teachers are good and ensure it happens, others don't bother. He never has meltdowns at school, saves it all up for home :( so they don't necessarily see the impact of what happens. I am hoping that a firm dx would ensure all the teachers take the issues more seriously.

I didn't look into a statement, but he is unlikley to meet the criteria. Even without full support he achieves academically (although the stress means that he will come home and self harm).

a statement isn't just about academic needs, so don't rule it out completely just on those grounds. What are parent partnership like in your area, might be wirth a call to them. Plenty of info, if you haven't already seen it, here and here and here with the sencop here

you'll just have to keep on at the school, if they are supposed to do something email the senco/head and keep on emailing. If nothing else and you decide he does merit a statement this will be the start of your evidence that school cannot meet his needs.

"I didn't look into a statement, but he is unlikley to meet the criteria. Even without full support he achieves academically (although the stress means that he will come home and self harm)".

Stop thinking about whether he fits any criteria for a statement, a statement or applying for one does not work like that. The sole criteria for a a statement is a need for one (school cannot meet his needs), not diagnosis and certainly not any blanket policy that many LEAs dream up to try and dodge their statutory responsibilities.

As bigcar has corrected stated a statement is not just about academic needs. He may not continue to achieve and may start underachieving altogether if his needs do not get met (poor soul is finding things at school very difficult and he's self harming. Clearly his needs are not being met by school).

I would therefore seriously now think about applying for a statement also because of the additional requirements he needs like a scribe and precise language for tests. He won't actually get any of those unless there is a statement in place.

BTW IEP on here is known as "Individual Empty Promise". Looks good but means actually very little. Again not legally binding so can be ignored (as is happening here).

IPSEA's website is very good re the statementing process and there is lots of information for parents too:-

www.ipsea.org.uk

You are your child's best - and only - advocate here. No-one is better placed than you to fight his corner for him because no-one else will.

Wow, and I thought we had been in the system a while.

Dd3 had a similar OT report she is below average across the board but not enough for them to help!!

We were told yesterday that we came into the system at a very difficult time due to staff retirements and moves and also that we have been sent down a slow route to Dx!

But for you and your Ds the time spent is ridiculous. I have found chasing appointments and not taking no for an answer has become a talent over the last 2 years.