Don't know if I should try to get a statement??

[musicteacher]

My DD will go into Year 5 in September and as she is dyslexic she really cannot read fluently. Often any sentences she reads contain mistakes so she cannot make much sense of what she reads, and sentences she writes are often so full of errors it is hard for me make sense of them. I want to try for a statement but the class teacher and senco think she doesn't really need one. I am starting to doubt myself and don't want to get laughed at but surely if she sits in a classroom and doesn't really get what is going on she needs more help?? How do I know whether to try for this or not?? Her levels at the end of year 4 are 2c for reading and 2a for writing. There has been improvement but at a very slow rate. She also has terrible concentration and OCD tendencies - I am taking her to the GP next week to start looking at this. She is on SA+ but doesn't always go out with a senco/ta. I really don't know what to do. Any advice welcome - I am in essex.

Why do the SENCO and her class teacher think she does not need a Statement?.

Is there an IEP in place for your DD; if so does school go through this with you termly?. What additional help are they actually providing your DD with?.

I would apply for such a document anyway although this could well be a long and drawn out battle for you (it is very difficult but not impossible to obtain statements for dyslexia). You would need to write to the Chief Education Officer at your LEA and give them six weeks to reply to your letter. IPSEA's website has model letters you can use www.ipsea.org.uk

She has an IEP and we do go through it although I usually end up having to initiate the meetings. It has not really changed this year as they are still working through it. I take her to a private tutor every friday afternoon and she is learning strategies. I think the class teacher thinks she is improving and needs to be independant. The senco thinks we will not get a statement but has resigned herself to the fact I will probably try for one so things may start happening next term. I worry I have got it all wrong but she is not my eldest child so I know how differently she is learning and I cannot see how she can function at secondary school unless there is a dramatic improvement soon.

Our SENCo and HT both thought dd didn't need and would not get a statement. She has dyslexia and DCD. We've fought hard, but it has been worth it because not only has she got the statement she needs, but also a specialist placement because of her needs. Go with your instincts because they are most likely to be right.