Ed psych - what to expect

[starfishmummy]

DS's behaviour at school has been deteriorating recently and we have agreed to an Ed Psych referral. He did see one way back before he started nursery/school but he's now 12 so it's been a while.
I'm guessing they will want to speak to us and do observations (as they did before) - can anyone tell us what to expect?

Had 3 diff school Ed Pysch report done, and the EP has never spoken to us.

They normally do a classroom observation, possibly a playtime observation, and then talk to your DS and run him through some tests (cognitive ability or whatever) if there is any reason to....

Expect to be told nothing :) Then you won't be disappointed. Although keep asking school when the EP is coming and when you will get the report.....

Expect the EP report to spout the usual crap. Depending on how bad your school is depends whether the usual crap is above or below what they are already doing

However it's great that he's seeing the EP. It means school have noticed that there is a problem, and they are still trying to help him.

(When they refuse to let your DS see the EP you kow they think there is no chance he can be helpd :( )

His pre school EP was lovely - did a great report for his statement and listened to us. She left shortky afterwards so I wonder if we will be as lucky again!

I think we will be pushy about this - we have an invite to his annual review in April so it would be good to have the EP report by then; or maybe we will ask about postponing the review u til we gt it.

If nothing else hopefully she will convince the school that he needs closer supervision - it's a special school, class of 7 kids (teacher two TAs) and they "can't keep an eye on everyone"

Another for the mixed messages they send him:- a reward is going to x's class for ten minutes of adult interaction/play; for a punishment it's going to x's classroom for 10 minutes. She doesn't speak to him , so thats alright then!

i met the EP not long ago because my DS behaviour at school was becoming terrible at school he seemed a nice man and had a little chat with him about what i thought was going on with my DS. A few weeks later he met with my DS without me being informed which is another matter. My DS told the EP exactly what he wanted to hear that he loved school and that there was nothing bothering him which was totally not the case and the school said that to the EP he was due to see him again next week but because of the problems at school i am moving him. Just make sure your DS tells the truth thats all the advise i can give i hope it helps they are there to help your DS and a lot of positive can come out of it x

Or if he cant speak out for himself make sure that the EP gets all the info poss

hi torie - DS can chat for England! However sorting out the facts wont be so easy! He has poor short term memory and is quite likely to make make things up because he has forgotten and thinks he should say something, anything, other than that he can't remember!

We have always had good relations with his school and hope we can get through this. Me saying that I didn't appreciate them having lied to me was probably not a good start!

He is so different at home - I don't want to blame school but I think they need to look at what they are doing a bit closer and stop sending him "mixed messages". Like the fact that he goes to a (favourite) teacher for ten minutes of interaction as a reward; but also that he goes to her for ten minutes as a "punishment"!

my Ds has got such a bad reputation for his behavior and he is a totally different at school so i blamed school cause all his problems seemed to be at school and not at home i am moving my child next week because of this. My advise would be for you to set up a meeting at school and set guide lines for punishment and rewards as sending him mixed messages must be so confusing for him. The EP should be able to help him so much you will be amazed and in my area getting an appointment with the Ep is like gold dust as there are not that many or there is such a long waiting list to see one. Make sure you get the EP to forward everything that he does with your DS to you as then you will be kept up to date with it all and you will be able to continue the work at home

I didn't think to ask what the waiting list for the EPs was - will have to do that I think.

Hi Starfishmummy, an EP will try to find out as much information as they can about your child so you're right that they will probably do an observation but might also speak to the teachers who know him well and of course, should speak to you. The aim of EP involvement should be to help find solutions to whatever the issues are so this might involve utilising resources within the school or recommending new strategies and supporting the school in implementing these.

Some EPs tend not to write formal reports (unless it's for a review or statutory assessment) as they take time away from being in schools so you may get hand written notes, verbal feedback or a formal report. The thing to focus on is... does positive change occur?

Hope this helps

Thanks baggabones.

I have rather gone past the stage of having people in the house to do assesments so hopefully they will do them all at school/on the transport - as that is where the trouble is.
If they want to do one at home then so be it, it must be DH's turn!