Auditory Processing Disorder - Guildford and Surrounding Area's

[Nix01]

Hi Mums,

My 5 year old son was diagnosed with an auditory processing and memory disorder in April of this year.

Since then, he's made tremendous improvement with the assistance of a Speech Therapist and has remained in mainstream school.

However, we're based in South Africa, and are moving back to England next year.

I'm really unsure as to where to start over there. Ideally, we're looking around the Guildford and surrounding area's in Surrey.

Can anyone recommend a good school with SENS assistance? Would his South African diagnosis be sufficient or would he go through all the tests again?

Separately, children here only learn to read and write when they're 6, turning 7. Would you recommend another specialist to try and teach him to read and write whilst he's still here?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Do you think your son needs significant extra support in school due to his APD and memory issues? If so then you will need to apply for a statement of special educational needs, but probably can not do this until you are in the UK. I would start with googling the SEN code of practice so this is to hand. You will need to write to the local authority and request statutory assessment of his needs and give reasons why (back up with his clinical reports for example and his current school could write a letter regarding the help needed etc). They then have to decide whether or not to assess. If they do then they will arrange all that in school for him and after a set period of time issue a statement or a note in lieu. A statement will need to be worded correctly but is basically a legal document setting out his needs and provision. A note in lieu pretty much means nothing officially so don't accept this. At certain points if you are not happy with the decision made or content of a statement then you can appeal to tribunal.

Another great place for advice on this process is the IPSEA web site.

Can't help with the area - I think you will basically have to move here first and then find out which schools have spaces available. If you have more than one to choose from visit them and get a feel for their attitude to SEN. Ofsted reports are not always that helpful especially for SEN children.

Reading and writing? Yes I would suggest that you start the process if you can before you come over. It will help your son feel less different from the outset. Don't worry if he isn't very advanced with his skills though - at the age of 7 there is still a huge range of ability present and the new school should help him catch up to the best of his ability.