DS is being referred to the Education Psychologist,don't know how i feel,pleased or sad

[flyingunderpants]

DS's teacher called me in today to ask permisson to refer DS.
He have an appointment soon with GP,and was going to ask for a referral anyway.But some how its made me feel worse with the teacher doing it.Not sure why really,just feeling sad for DS.
Any advice on what might happen now.i.e. how till we hear.

GP can't refer to an EP, but a developmental paediatrician might be sensible, depending on your concerns.

Don't expect an awful lot from the EP. It may take weeks and weeks before he is seen, and then weeks and weeks before you hear anything (although it would be sensible to agree to the referral on the basis that you get 10mins with the EP when they come after they have sen him).

And then the EP is likely to only be able to give the teacher strategies for managing him in the classroom, not much useful to you and certainly not a diagnosis of any description. Although you should be given a copy of a report.

Your ds will automatically be put onto school action plus which means he'll get an IEP with targets in it. Make sure you are invited to the meetings where these targets are set and ask how they are going to measure his progress against them.

Thanks for the reply,although i was hoping for something more postive.
DS is all ready on an IEP school action plus.He has had one since he started school.He's now in year 2,and his targets have been the same since going into year 1.He hasn't met any of the targets.He can't read or write simply sentences.And has problems following simply instructions,often forgetting what he is doing or he doesn't understand.He doesn't like change in his routine,or going some place new.
He also has speech delay and communication problems.

I can certainly see why you feel sad (and your post brings back some memories) but school now getting the EP in is not a bad thing at all (my son was seen by the EP in reception year with regards to applying for a statement). EPs report is useful for a statement application and this is what school may be thinking of now. A Statement which is a legally binding document from the LEA to help your son with his additional educational needs in school. Has anyone ever mentioned the word statement?.

How often do you see the SENCO?. You should be having close involvement with this person.

Later on your DS will be going into Juniors. SA plus may well not be enough to help him particularly in there hence the EP going in now whilst he is still in Infants. This is a good thing the school has done here and is certainly no reflection on you in any way whatsoever.

Sorry flying. Us SN parents can be a bit blunt sometimes (me especially).

DS has an EP, SALT, OT, Paed, Autism Advisory Teacher. He has obsessions, Speech and Communication difficulties and word finding problems.

He is 5 and wants to be an obstetrician when he grows up (I'm pregnant so has a great interest in it) and I don't see any reason why he couldn't be, although I don't suppose it will be as straightforward a path as for other people. But I'll problem solve one problem at a time and keep my and his expectations high.

The best chance we have of DS getting anywhere near his plan is to have expertise supporting us and him.

I did think that maybe,the teacher was thinking along the line of a statement.
I don't no much about them,but have heard of them.Will a statement mean DS gets more help in the class?
I have seen the SENCO once since sept,and then it was only because she was new and wanted me to meet her.
His teacher this year has been really good,trying different things to help DS.And keeping me informed.

Thank you for your last sentence.Just what i needed to hear.

Your DS has a good teacher there on his side; he's very fortunate as are you to have currently another advocate because it may not be the case at all in another setting like Junior school.

You are his best advocate; no-one else is better placed than you to fight his corner for him. Arm yourself with knowledge and do not be fobbed off; knowledge after all is power. This board is an excellent resource and I could have done with it years ago.

This school are certainly on the ball here if they are indeed thinking along the lines of a statement. That will give him the legal protection he needs and deserves with regards to his educational needs; no other plan offered is legally binding and support on SA plus can be limited in scope.

I would arrange to see the SENCO asap particularly as school have now asked you to have the EP in to see your DS. You should be seeing this person termly in any event to talk about his targets on the IEP.

Thank you again Attila.
I'll pop into school tomorrow and make an appointment with SENCO.
I'm going to read up on statements tonight.

Starlight x-posted with you,sorry.Thank you for your replies,i'm grateful for all advice.
I really hope your DS becomes whatever he wants to be.
You have just reminded me,DS has obsessions too.I'm not sure if his teacher included that in the referral.I will have to check in the morning.