Please could someone give me some advice, DT1 not made any progress since last year....

[Chocamochalatte]

Hi, DT1 is in year 5, he has been on an IEP since yr4, parents evening this week shows he's making no progress. The school always seem to be good with extra help, he is in additional small groups for numeracy and literacy, and his teacher has just said that from Easter he will be receiving 1:1 help.

Here are the levels on his 'report'

Writing, incoming 2b, current 2c
Reading, incoming 2c, current 2c
Speaking and listening, end of year target 2a
Numeracy, incoming 2a, current 2a
Science, incoming 3c, current 2a

Am I right in thinking he's two years behind?

What should I be doing?

Should I be asking for Action Plan Plus??

I'm at a loss as what to do, feel very very :(

School action plus means there's an outside professional involved. So unless there is a particular team that you think he should be seen by, it's not quite the right route to take.

What do you mean 'incoming 2b', 'current 2c' - does that mean he has gone down a sublevel since the begining of the term?

He's more like 3 years behind rather than 2 :( (2c is the minimum expected level for end of Y2)

Not sure what you should be doing though. What does the SENCO think? Has he been assessed by the Ed Psych? Does anyone know what his difficulties are? Is he doing anything to address this rather than just addressing literacy / numeracy?

(For example, memory problems, vision or hearing problems?)

The only thing I do know is that you need to get an awful lot more proactive, become the biggest PITA mum ever. Fight and fight for your boy. Research everything. Decide what you want done. And fight for it.

How much 1:1 help, choca? An hour a week? An hour a day? You definitely need SA+ as a minimum. Does he have an IEP with specific and measurable targets that you are happy with? As Indigo says do you think he's got any specific learning disabilities. If SA+ doesn't improve things pretty quickly then you might want to look at statutory assessment for a statement. Have a look at the SEN code of practice (sorry can't link, on my phone) on the teacher website (google it) and look at school action and school action plus etc.

I've failed him haven't I? :(

I can't remember if he's been assessed by Ed Psych, he's been tested (twice) for Dyslexia but that was negative...

His levels are exactly the same as at the end of last year (Summer 2010)

At the end of year 3, reading was 2b, writing 2b, maths 2b, science 2a.

Above I did mean incoming as in September, current as in recent assessments. Last year he was making progress and they were even taking about him coming off his IEP.

I've been really naive, I thought that if it was a real problem they would say something and because they previously said he was progressing I guess I didnt worry as much as I obviously should have.

How can I be so stupid?

I didn't even ask how much 1:1, I think he meant on a daily basis...

I don't think he has any specific learning disabilities, memory, well last year we had to get him to repeat instructions back to us... He wears glasses but only cause one eye is slightly different, he doesn't have to wear them all the time..

I've never seen the SENCo, always spoken to his teacher about it. The IEPs always seemed to make sense. The thing is, in reception he did really well, and was no way below average. I don't know what happened...

I guess the next step is to arrange a meeting with his teacher and the SENCo?

If you can give me any more advice it would be most welcome.

Choca, don't get down, you are on to it now. Get angry instead, (much more useful emotion.) School should have been informing you, but at least they are recognising he is struggling and are doing something about it. Have a meeting, say you couldn't take it all in at parent's evening and need it all clarified. Ask what the 1:1 will entail, who is it with and what will it cover. It may be that he will start making better progress now. Ask if there is any way you can help him at home, extra reading or something. Be PITA mum. Tonight have !

I just can't stop crying tonight, I'm such an awful mum, I should have been on to it sooner but instead just trusted the school :(

I can't stop thinking of the 'what ifs' what if he is still like this at the end of year 6? He's not going to suddenly improve that much is he? What if he's struggling just as much at secondary school? Will he just get 'lost' in the system? Is he going to get picked on? And how come DT2 is progressing fine? Ok he's not brain of Britain but he's 'average', they're are id, how can they be so different? Is it something I've done?? What else could be wrong? Is it just that he doesn't 'get it'? Or could there be an underlying cause?

Will call school first thing tomorrow and make an appointment.

choca-we all listen to school(I used to trust the school)You are doing the right thing-Get that meeting sorted and find out what is going on.

Seems a little strange that id twins are so different. Have your meeting at school, ask them whether they think it's worth asking your GP for a referral to a paed? May be overkill at this stage, I don't know your boys at all. Do they behave differently? Were they prem?

You'll feel better once you have made the next step, I'm sure. Don't let us upset you. We are trying to help and be supportive. ((hugs)) (not very MN!)

Oh please don't think you're upsetting me, you're not, you're being really helpful, I'm so grateful for the advise, I'm just upset with myself...

They were prem, six weeks, they are very different! Have been in separate classes since yr1. DT1 does have terrible confidence issues, he's also very sulky and stroppy! He's pretty defeatist too, if he thinks he can't do something he won't do it... He says, "well I'm in the bottom set for everything cause I can't do it".

Can I just take him to GP and ask for a referral??

Yes you can. You might have to convince your GP with a list of concerns. Say that the school recommended it, (lie if necessary?)

Twins are often prem, I suppose, and it may be irrelevant, but if they are identical you'd expect their IQ etc to be similar, if nothing else is different, wouldn't you? Or am I talking out of my arse? You obviously know twin issues better than me.

Well, I maybe wrong too but I thought their IQ would be very similar...

Oh, and dug out his end of year reports, DT1 has had the same 'grades' since the end of year 3. Even more :( and

Chocamochalatte,
Don't beat yourself up, you trusted the school and there is nothing wrong with that. My son has been on SENCO the day he started, he is on an IEP and SA plus, he has speech and language difficulties and now recently we have been told Auditory memory/processing disorders. Like you I trusted the school for 5 years being told by everyone concerned he is doing fine, but he has made very little progress and is still 3 years and in some areas 5 years behind his peers (he has only 2 x 10mins 1:1 each week, plus help from a TA in his classroom). Like you we all went through the crying stage, thinking what bad parents we are, the what if's. Now I have stopped listening to them and decided to act, requesting an Ed Phys, referall to a Paed, reviewing his IEP, 1:1, changes in his classroom etc. The school is listening to me now and accept my concerns, I guess if you don't challenge anyone they won't change. Not to sound horrible towards his school but in a year he will be at secondary school, another SENCO kid less for them to worry about. But as parents we worry every day about them, secondary school, bullying, their future so we have to fight as no one else will. Don't get me wrong the worry and stress is still there, as I worry everyday about his move to secondary school next year but I feel better in myself I am doing something about it now.
Good luck with everything.

Thanks for all your support.

I called the school this morning and got a meeting this afternoon with the SENCO, (his teacher was off). She has said that up until Easter the support group that he's currently in for numeracy and literacy will have a ratio of 1:3 instead of current 1:6, he will have increased guided reading sessions twice a week, the 1:1 support will start after Easter and will be for between 30 minutes and an hour three times a week if not each day. The two support assistants will be required to report on a fortnightly basis. SATs are two weeks after the Easter hols so he will be assessed again then.

She says he is not bad enough to be currently put forward for a statutory assessment, would need to be query ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia etc. Plus he has made progress in their eyes even though he's only moved on 1 point within the sub level. I did argue the case though as he has been so stationary since end of year 2 and she did say that it could be a possibility after review in May. He has been moved up to Action Plan Plus.

Have I missed anything? What else should I be doing?? Of course am now going to be a complete PITA at school...

School sounds on the case. They always seem to be off putting on SA, but it is supposed to be based on need not DX of ASD etc. (to be honest DX always helps) The 1:1 sounds like a good plan, it's more than most get on SA+ which is why you need to be on the ball about what progress he makes. If these actions produce good results, then excellent. If not you would have grounds for requesting SA in a term or so. Sounds like you're pleased with their actions so far, but you'll need to keep on top of it.

Bet you are feeling better for getting it all kicked off!

Def feel better for getting something done, I just hope that it's the right thing and it has an effect. Am def going to kick up a huge fuss for SA if no progress when we meet in May. (she did mention a private assessment because all our area schools are going through huge changes which is one of the reasons that it is alot harder to get SA)

Good on you. May isn't that far away. And if SENCo is saying private assessment I'd think about it very seriously if you need it. ((Hugs)) after a very stressful few days.

Thanks Ellen, she kind of just said it as that is an option if I really want it... Do you think that she thinks I should do it then? How would I go about it? Through doctors?

No idea choca. Someone on here probably will. Google? Maybe put it in the title of a new thread. I doubt that the GP would know. Do you need to do anything until May?

I don't really know... I suppose May isn't actually that far off...

Choca
Sending lots of support, it is hard, but as others have said you are doing lots now so try and concentrate on that. Can I make just one suggestion - as DT is in Year 5, don't wait until May. You can apply for SA yourself, have a look at the Code of Practice and sites like IPSEA, SOSSEN.

Looks like you have ample evidence of lack of progress, and although it is great that school is getting more things put in place, interventions so far have not improved his levels and the only thing that will happen between now and May is time lost in the assessment and statementing process. We applied in March, statement finalised in November - so leaving it to May and waiting for school to apply along with SATS and everything else going on will just slow the process. With secondary school coming up, time is important.

In our case, school said they would apply and we just explained that we would do so first, knowing that their reports would back us up. But we did this in discussion and agreement with them, and kept regularly in touch.
I would strongly dispute the 'not bad enough' and 'would need to be query ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia etc', and comments about changes to schools locally. These are the type of thing parents are so often told, but none of them are reasons not to assess. Statements are supposed to be based on NEED not diagnosis and that is what should be assessed. Also his progress is not on a par with his peers - yes, once he has been fully assessed and is receiving any necessary intervention then that might be great progress. But part of assessment is to establish whether or not a child is achieving their potential.

Private assessment (for OT, sensory issues, in our case) helped us in that it gave us the courage of our convictions and something to wave and say 'look we are right, things do need to be investigated' - but keep pushing for school to get Ed Psych etc. involved. You say he has been moved to School Action +, which should imply external professionals are currently involved?

Oh dear, it is late and I think I am being a bit blunt and garbled, but I hope some of this makes sense.

I agree with andperseand - the school mentioned that they are moving your son on to SA+ which should indicate that they are involving outside agencies but they have also said that they are not asking for outside support (EP/Speech and Lang etc) so query what they are doing differently that qualifies the move to SA+.

Also, you mentioned that your son gives up easily... I would suspect that this is very much a key part to his current difficulties even if there are other underlying difficulties. He is aware that he is not doing as well as others and is perhaps now focusing on this. School need to make sure that they are helping your son to feel successful in school and build this in to his IEP. If he sees that he can learn and can make progress it may motivate him to stick at things that he is finding hard.

Best wishes

Yes, I agree with andperseand too. I have a DS with ASD and applied for SA in February when he was in Year 5 - he eventually got his first statement in January of Year 6. SA should take a minimum of six months but the LA initially turned us down for SA so we had to appeal.

DS was 9 when he was dx ASD so I understand your feelings about not noticing sooner. But as a parent, of course you expected the school to have notified you of any difficulties. I spent two years fighting for DS with appeals and now he is in a special school which meets his needs - so it really isn't too late for your DS.

What are your son's social skills like? What about his attention skills? When he was assessed for dyslexia, did you get a report? Did it give results of any cognitive tests - if you're willing to post them (or PM) we can help you understand the results.

I would get in touch with SOS SEN for advice on finding a private ed psych. They are an SEN charity and will give excellent advice on advocating for your DS. Also download the Guide to SEN for parents as it will give you an overview of the graduated approach to SEN and what the categories of School Action/Plus/statementing mean.

Chocamochalatte you have done well, my son who is 10 has been on SA+ since he started school, 5 years on he is still well behind his peers and all he gets to date is 2 x 10mins sessions a week 1:1 (20 mins a week). I have challenged this and the school advised they are working to the recommendations of the SLT and that my son needs continous support throughout the day in the class room and would benefit from this as opposed to taking him out of the class room, does this sound right ?.
Currently awaiting for Ed Phys / Paed referal, thinking of applying for SA but not sure what is involved.
Well done Choca keep at them it seems to be working.