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Ed Psych help needed

10 replies

Tiggles · 16/11/2011 22:36

DS was dx-ed with AS a year ago, and the EP has finally got around to seeing him. The school were quite happy to refer him to the EP once he had his dx but wouldn't before as they had other children that they would rather refer if they had the funding. If that makes sense.

Anyhow, before the EP sees DS he has seen the dx report and wants to see me to discuss it. I guess that this meeting is going to include why he needs an EP assessment. I think he does - but equally am not quite sure what an EP does/can do so what can I request?

In general DS probably flies under the radar at school. He had massive issues at his first school but has been a lot better since he went to a new one - the staff are way more caring and seem to understand him. However they admit that he is not achieving anywhere near his potential - mainly as he is getting side tracked onto Dr Who or Star Wars rather than doing his work. I observed him the other day in school and he was in tears in the lesson as he just couldn't cope with the disorganisation of it. He couldnt' understand what he had to do, then he couldn't write in full sentences (Welsh) as he didn't know how to spell them etc etc. and he likes things to be perfect.
He finds it hard to cope with change to routine and new things.
He struggles with peer relationships.
He hates writing but can tell you the info.
He is very literal in understanding of language and I have had to write notes in to his teacher to explain how he didn't understand the homework as he has taken the instructions so literally that they don't make sense to him.

Which of these sorts of things can an EP help with ??
Thanks

OP posts:
voodoobarbie · 17/11/2011 07:39

When we saw the EP (un dx but susp AS) We met to discuss what problems ds was having. IMO the main thing that holds ds back is perfectionism, he is so scared of being wrong. The meeting was about 30 mins.

She then observed ds in class, and then took him out of class, had tried to have a conversation with him and played a few games.

I then went back in for another meeting and she discussed what she had observed. I recieved a report a few week later tbh I was a little disappointed as the bulk was just the info I had given her but there were some recommendations for to school to implement. Scribe, Laptop, whiteboard, time out card, etc

Hope that helps.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/11/2011 09:18

LittleMissGreen

Did the EP mention statementing to you re DS?.

Is your son on anything like School Action Plus currently; do you meet with the school termly to discuss his IEP (Individual Education Plan). Have you met the SENCO regularly?.

I would actually apply for a statement for your son as a matter of course from your LEA. It is a legally binding document that will outline extra support for your son unlike school action plus which is not legally binding

IPSEA's website is good re the whole statementing process www.ipsea.org.uk

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/11/2011 09:19

If services like a scribe, laptop etc are needed, more often than not the only way these will be secured is via a Statement.

Tiggles · 17/11/2011 10:12

Thanks :)
At the moment I think DS is on the SEN register - last term the teacher who actually teaches the SEN stuff as opposed to the SENCO (sorry not sure if she has a proper title) asked me if I would like him on the SEN register as then she could give him help in social skills this term. Obviously I agreed. She however is now teaching a class fulltime and is only doing SEN work with KS1, so SENCO is meant to be doing work with KS2 and I don't think the social skills stuff is happening - will have to go and push again... I guess this means he is on School Action, but haven't seen an IEP - should he have one even if he is just on the SEN register? Is it the school that write an IEP rather than the Ed Psych?
Regarding statementing, the HT doesn't think he will get a statement (based on previous experience) but does think he needs 1 to 1 help (another lad with AS in the class above gets 1:1 so he thinks DS should too). I will def ask the EP about statementing.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/11/2011 10:31

LittleMissGreen

Your son should be known to the SENCO and should also be on the SEN register as a matter of course. If your son has been formally diagnosed with AS he should be on School Action Plus; infact he should have been on SA plus as soon as any outside agencies were involved (e.g SALT, developmental paed etc).

School SENCO writes the IEP and it should be reviewed termly and with you present.

EP may try and fob you off re statementing (they are under pressure not to readily statement). I would ignore any naysayers like the HT (not that person's decision to make) and apply for it yourself and as soon as possible. If one to one help is needed the surest way to receive this is through a statement. The support offered in a statement is legally binding, any other plans are not and the support on those can be too easily curtailed.

Tiggles · 17/11/2011 12:28

Ok, I didn't realise that about SA thanks.
I am seeing HT (aka SENCO) tonight so will ask about IEP.

DS2 is currently on waiting list to see ASD assessment team - should he be on SA+ too (or only when he gets to the top of the list and sees somebody)? He is currently academically top of the class so not sure school will 'agree'.

OP posts:
Tiggles · 17/11/2011 22:06

Please help me to calm down as I am very Angry.
Spoke to HT after school today and it turns out that DS1 is not actually on the SEN register despite being told he would be put onto it so he would get social skill lessons.

OP posts:
coff33pot · 17/11/2011 23:19

And what was the reason for not being on the register? or not on SA+ seeing as EP is visiting?

Go to IPSEA take a lookie and use one of their draft example letters and do it yourself. Dont bother seeing if you should do it by talking to the EP. Has SALT visited him at school re social skills learning? if not speak to your pead or other prof that dx your ds and request an assessment.

You will get a report to forward to the LA after the visit so put any other reports from proffessionals in.

Then have a coffee and smile as you put the forms in the post because you will be moving faster than the school have been doing x

Tiggles · 18/11/2011 08:51

apparently he isn't on the register or receiving the social skills help as I had requested he should see the EP, and the EP will decide if he needs either or just needs reviewing in 6 months Hmm.
Off to look at IPSEA website...

OP posts:
Becaroooo · 18/11/2011 09:06

Hang on - if they have got an EP in he has to be on SA+ - its the rules!!!

This sounds really dodgy on the part of the school IMO

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