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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Meeting with SENCO today, help?

17 replies

meboo · 26/04/2012 09:17

Hi there

My son, year 4, has Moderate dyslexia according to a private EP report. His biggest problem is working memory and processing speed. I have a meeting with the head and senco today and i have lost all my confidence about going into this meeting. Can anyone advise what I should be asking, what he is entitled to etc. He won't be statemented as he is too bright. Any questions just ask as I am lurking........

Thank you

OP posts:

Triggles · 26/04/2012 09:19

"He won't be statemented as he is too bright"

Um. Nope. DS2 is at the top of his class, G&T, and still has full time 1:1 and statement. Statement is according to NEED, not academic level.

I would say be prepared to point out what you feel are his needs and ask them what can be done to support him. And then just go from there.

Voidka · 26/04/2012 09:20

Have they seen a copy of the report? Are they making noises like they agree with it?

The main question I would ask is what they are going to do for your DS. What support will your DS be given. I would also ask about an IEP so his progress can be measured.

Good luck. Do you have anyone to support you? Remember that you know your child best, and as someone on here once said to me, YOU are your childs best advocate.

Triggles · 26/04/2012 09:22

Perhaps I'm a bit touchy lately, but I'd be careful about flinging comments about like "he won't be statemented as he is too bright" on here. It rather implies that only those that are NOT bright can get statements... which puts the comment as insulting, condescending, and incorrect.

sigh.. I hate stereotypes...

AttilaTheMeerkat · 26/04/2012 09:23

What Triggles and the others have stated. Have they seen this report and if so what do they think?.

Go in there with clear intent and take written notes during the meeting. If at all possible do not attend on your own.

StarshitTerrorise · 26/04/2012 09:28

Who told you he won't be statemented?

In reality, it is hard to get statements for dyslexia, even if you're thick! But it isn't impossible.

Original poster

meboo · 26/04/2012 09:33

I didn't mean to offend anyone by saying that he won't be statemented as he is too bright, but that was what I was told by the school.

The school have had his EP report for 2 weeks now and the meeting today is to do his IEP. Originally the school did not agree that he has dyslexia and they were shocked by the report. I get the feeling that they don't understand the report as they asked me to report back after a meeting with a specialist teacher who sort of explained the report to us (i felt the meeting was a waste of time) and the school has jumped on the part about him needing phonics as that is something that they can work on. I think that the report is suggesting he needs more than that but I am unsure.

The school also mentioned school action and school action plus but I can't find out much about that either.

I will be going into the meeting on my own, don't have anyone else here.

OP posts:

claw4 · 26/04/2012 09:35

As others have said i would ask:-

What support they plan on giving your ds.

Who will give the support, when and how often.

How will progress be measured.

All the things that should be written into an IEP.

and dont accept 'he is too bright' as an excuse for not giving support for his difficulties.

StarshitTerrorise · 26/04/2012 09:38

Have you been in touch with any dyslexia groups/societies etc.? They can be very helpful with navigating the system.

The school are wrong about the statement thing, but what you said will have been of no surprise to us. I have rarely seen a poster here whose school did not say that the child was not severe enough for a statement, but statements have nothing to do with severety, brightness, academic level, social skills etc. It really doesn't work like that. It is simply about whether or not needs can be met withing current school resources.

StarshitTerrorise · 26/04/2012 09:40

Having said that, it will be difficult to prove that your child's needs need additional resource outside of what the school can provide for a child with dyslexia, so a statement IS unlikely.

Original poster

meboo · 26/04/2012 09:40

Perhaps if i include part of the EP report here.

Attainment levels
His standard score for reading were within the average range while spelling and phonological awareness were at the very bottom of the average band and significantly below the levels associated with his measured verbal intelligence. His free writing did not reflect his intelligence in fluency, technical accuracy, or speed.

Conclusions
His test profile indicates the presence of a specific difficulty with literacy skills. He shows a moderate degree of dyslexia at present.

Recommendations
In school he needs to be helped individually on a regular basis using a highly structured multisensory teaching program for dyslexia and positive encouragement. He will require extra time to finish written work and in-class support to provide a scribe in some lessons. Consideration should be given to allowing extra time and a scribe in SATs subjects where permitted.

Does this help???

OP posts:

claw4 · 26/04/2012 09:50

As usual very vague recommendations.

How often is a 'regular basis'?

Does 'helped individually' mean 1:1?

Where do they get a 'highly structured multisensory teaching program? Who will provide this? What does it include?

How much extra time?

Which lessons will he need a scribe for?

Original poster

meboo · 26/04/2012 09:54

I'd like to know what a 'highly structured multisensory teaching program' is?

Anyone know?

Thank you so far for all you help.

OP posts:

claw4 · 26/04/2012 09:59

Meboo, these are the questions you should be asking school, if they cant answer or are vague, ask the EP who made the recommendations.

Voidka · 26/04/2012 10:03

Did you pay for the private EP? I would go back and ask them to clarify what it actually means, as at the moment its all a bit woolly.

Dont worry about offending us, its not that we are offended, its just that we have heard that as an excuse from LA's and schools before, and we dont want you to be fobbed off.

claw4 · 26/04/2012 10:06

Oh i didnt see that this was a private EP report, i thought it was LA EP. Def go back to EP and ask for the recommendations to be made more specific.

mummytime · 26/04/2012 10:46

Is this a private EP report, if so I'd complain madly because it's not good enough for your money.

If its LA then it's the normal woolly stuff.

Now request a meeting. To draw up an IEP, and make sure the targets are SMART that is specific, measurable, Attainable, Relevant and time bonded. An example would be: Fred will be able to spell all of the first 25 key words by the end of the summer term, this will be measured on July 1st. Ideally it will also say what the class teacher will do to help towards this, what any SEN staff will do, and what you will do.

This is what a very good school will do, eg. My DS's secondary. I have seen IEPs at other schools which are woolly, and where the targets are carried over from one IEP to the next.

Original poster

meboo · 26/04/2012 11:03

Yes it's a private EP. We went back to have it explained and it turned out to only be a 30 min appointment where they focused on one point and then tried to sell us stuff. I have also spoken with parent partnership this morning and they have given me some pointers.

Thanks for your help.

OP posts:

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