what should I include in Stage 1 of a statement?

[sphil]

I know this has been covered before- sorry! We have just received the initial forms to fill in for DS2's statement - the one that just gives you small boxes to fill in headed 'What is your child good at?' etc. We have to fill this in by March 7th, when the LEA will decide whether to assess or not. I've already been advised to send copies of medical reports and am sending the BIBIC one and the official ASD diagnosis one from our paed.

What I would like to know is - what sort of things should I definitely include on this first form? Is it necessary to go into huge detail at this stage? (because believe me, I can...)
One of the problems is that Ds2 is only 3 and doesn't start school until Sept 2007. Because I'm so unsure how he'll develop, I don't want to be too specific about types of education, different therapies or communication systems. At the moment we're doing our own home programme which is a bit of everything really. We haven't yet settled on doing ABA or TEACCH or anything specific (partly because he was only DX last week!) The only thing I'm absolutely positive he'll need is full-time 1:1 and regular speech therapy (which may include PECs and/or Makathon - we're dabbling in both at the moment).

I'm an educated, literate, articulate woman and I am absolutely terrified of this bloody form! I know what I write is crucial, that's why. So please help, statementing old hands!
Thanks as always

Well to give you an idea, my initial parental request, just the letter requesting the statement ended up being 7 pages long. I told them where my child was, what i thought his needs were, where i thought he wasnt getting attention and most of all what i wanted for him, namely a fully funded ABA program.

Contact me offline and i will give you further details if u like. IN my estimation if you show you mean business, they are more likely (well hopefully) to take you seriously.

Our initial form from the LEA was a series of questions with a retangular shaped box underneath for you to write in. Would suggest you write a draft before you write on the LEA forms and keep same to the point.

IPSEA (www.ipsea.org.uk) are very good and they should be able to advise you further with this particularly in the event that the request to assess is turned down.

BTW if they do that appeal the decision!!!!!!!!!!. Meet with the LEA bods if necessary (that can help).

You are your child's best (and only) advocate.

Another point for you:-

If you're after speech therapy ensure that the LEA put this in Part 2 of the statement if issued!!.

Thanks everyone - that's great. Socci - it would be really useful to read your report. I haven't paid my £5 to MN yet so I can't CAT, but will do so immediately and get back to you.