ASD - Why would you not want to know?

[GooseRocks]

I work with two pre-schoolers within a school nursery.

ASD is suspected due to, amongst other things:

• no communication
• no eye contact
• no speech
• hand flapping and other typical stimming behaviours (a lot).

A year down the line, while there has been progress in some respects, anti-social type behaviours are increasing (pushing, kicking, attempting to bite) and, if anything, the childrens difficulties are becoming more noticeable. I feel the situation isn't working. I feel that more input is required. I feel that if I was the parent I would be demanding more. I'm viewing the coming school year with increasing trepidation.

The parents have once again refused to have the children assessed. I know they're not mine. I know it's not my choice. But for the love of God I'm struggling to understand.

Anyone that comes into contact with these children would know within a fairly short time that they have difficulties. It's really very obvious.

Please help me understand where these parents are at.

But does the EP actually think these children will be ok going into mainstream without a statement?
Perhaps you could ask in writing for confirmation that the EP is satisfied it is not necessary to do a SA prior to starting school.
These children sound how my DS was before we started ABA - so with many skills around 12-18 months mark - not school ready by any stretch.

These children honestly sound as though they need to be moving on to special school or unit with specialist support.

If my son had gone into mainstream without a statement / proper support he would have escaped from school in the first week and we would have been scraping him off the road. There are basic safety issues once a child moves from a locked door nursery environment with 1:8 ratio to an open plan school where the ratio will be 1:15 or 1:30.

I am a bit shocked by EP tbh. I can see the point a year or so ago, but once moving into school they can't really wait for the parents any longer.

Its a tough call for you but in a way isn't it easier for you to force the SA process as even if the parents fall out with you, the child is moving anyway? I can see they may shoot the messenger but as the child will be leaving anyway perhaps there is not much to lose?

I agree with Agnes, I don't think the EPs rationale for wait and see really holds water. Smacks more of ignore the problem and hope it goes away one way or another.