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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Does a statutory assessment mean a diagnosis?

14 replies

Veryproudmumof2 · 09/03/2011 11:16

Hi there! Im new here but have had a look around and this seems like the place I want to be :)

So... after a long battle Im finally getting somewhere with the school and trying to get my son properly supported. Today I have been told that they are going to do a statutory assessment to get him statemented. I understand what that means but am wondering if the statementing process will get us a diagnosis?! (We dont have one as yet)

Thanks in advance :)

OP posts:

bigcar · 09/03/2011 11:38

Hello I think there is no really clear cut answer to that one! It will depend on who sees your ds during the process and who he gets referred to. So it's possible that you could have a dx by the end but as a statement goes on need and not dx, it's not a definite route to a dx, iyswim.

Do you have anything specific in mind re dx? It's probably better to try to get the dx yourself rather than leave it to anyone else.

Original poster

Veryproudmumof2 · 09/03/2011 12:04

Thank you :) Although can I just say argghhh?! This whole process is SO frustrating!! Why isnt anything straight forward??!!

If I had to guess Id say he, very likey, has sensory processing disorder and possibly aspergers... How do I go about getting a DX? I cant afford to have it done privately without being sure of what it is he has. Everyone I speak to says Im doing all I can so why isnt it happening?! :( We have a TAC meeting on Tuesday and Im hoping something comes from that.

Thanks again xx

OP posts:

bigcar · 09/03/2011 12:31

I think arghhhh just about covers it Do you see a developmental paed and ot?

EllenJane1 · 09/03/2011 13:07

You could go to your GP and explain your DS is having difficulties at school and ask for him to be referred to a developmental paed. This could then be going on in parallel with the SA. My DS saw a paed employed by the LA for his SA but only for one quick session. If you go through the medical route yourself as well as the school going through the educational route, you might get to some good support for him quicker.

I've seen on here people being fobbed off by their GP saying wait until after SA but that's just going to delay things unnecessarily IMO.

LaydeeC · 09/03/2011 13:41

My advice would be to see your GP and ask for a referral to CAMHS (I know that some on here have had negative experiences with CAMHS but ours was extremely positive)

Original poster

Veryproudmumof2 · 09/03/2011 16:16

Thank you all. We have had a referal to CAMHS twice now, the first time they saw us she saw Harvey for about an hour with me and then chatted to my hubby and I for an hour on another day. She discharged us and said there were no problems with our parenting skills and no obvious mental health issues for Harvey so wasnt alot more she could do... The second referral was recently and they refused it as he is already acsessing some early intervetion group and the place where that is is where TAMHS is based so he said we could accsess that?! We've also seen the community paed and got the all clear for his health... Im so confused! I dont understand half of what they tell me :(

OP posts:

EllenJane1 · 09/03/2011 17:38

The community paed won't be an expert on developmental matters. She'll just be looking at general medical issues. I don't know what issues your DS has but if they are eg autistic spectrum then he has no mental health issues or medical issues. He may have developmental issues. Try asking for a referral to a developmental specialist if you think that's appropriate.

brandy77 · 09/03/2011 18:24

Ellen is that right that a community paed wont know about developmental problems? adhd, asergers etc? the school nurse has referred my son to one and in the TAC meeting she had said developmental paed but the referall said community paed? wondering if i should ring and check as i dont want a 6month wait for the wrong paed. my son does have medical problems, but very rare condition and it would go over a normal paeds head

bigcar · 09/03/2011 18:29

sometimes the commumity paed is a developmental paed, some are here, best clarify!

it's a developmental paed specifically that you want, occupational therapy referal would be good too, go back to your gp with a list of your concerns and tell them what you suspect. Also bring it up at the TAC meeting.

EllenJane1 · 09/03/2011 18:38

Sorry. Yes depends on paed of course. But sometimes community paed isn't the right person. It looked like there were problems the school had picked up but the paed gave a clean bill of health. Doesn't sound right.

Original poster

Veryproudmumof2 · 11/03/2011 10:07

So when she the PMH worker said that he didnt have a mental health problem what was she ruling out? Gosh... So confusing!!

He has seen our community paeditrician and she did a health check and basic development, drawing a person, recognising numbers, completing a puzzle...

(Can I just ask if I can get an email notification for this topic and if so, how? Thank you x)

OP posts:

EllenJane1 · 11/03/2011 12:56

Sorry Veryproudmumof2 I just mean that for my DS, who has a DX of ASD, he has a developmental disorder. Medically, there is nothing wrong, he is fit and healthy. As far as his mental health, any anxiety etc, is due to his ASD, not to any neuro- typical (NT) mental health reasons. In the area I live developmental disorders do not come under CAMHS, unless there are severe anxiety or behavioural issues, when their expertise might be useful.

Having read this board recently, I realise that different areas deal with developmental disorders differently. It may be in your area that CAMHS does have the expertise to DX ASD or other types of developmental disorders.

Your community Paed also, may be exactly the right person, but, again, in some areas every community paed may not be an expert on ASD.

I think my initial post wasn't very well worded. I just wanted you to be aware that you need to make sure that in your area, you are seeing the right people and aren't slipping through the net.

Again, I don't know what your concerns are with your DS. It may help for us to give you better advice if you can bring yourself to describe them? Not a nice thing to think about, I know, and we are strangers, but that sometimes makes it easier than talking in RL. Your DS may have no ASD type issues, but as I have a DS with ASD it's what I always assume until I have more facts. Sorry, that's a bit of a problem I have.

I hope that's a bit more constructive?

ilovesprouts · 12/03/2011 16:58

hi my son has sn,but no dx

DillyDaydreaming · 12/03/2011 17:16

Hello veryproudmum, I'd suggest asking your GP for a referral to a social communication clinic or autism assessment service. I have a child with autism and his referral came via a local social communication clinic which the school nurse referred him to (other areas might require a GP referral).
It's great that they are going to do an SA as it's a huge battle to get even this agreed. Once they've done this he will hopefull have a Statement of SEN.

Medically my son is healthy but has specific issues as a result of his ASD which the Statement has really supported. As a result he is now reading finally at the age of 8.

I'd go down the route of GP first to see what they suggest. m

Let us know as we will willingly help here if we can. We've all been through it.

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