Diagnosis and Education

[MovingOnNow]

Hi this is it what if, as I don't know for sure, but ism anticipating that my son will be diagnosed with ASD in January. If they do diagnose, will they make recommendations about educational provision? My son is in mainstream, applying for a statement for 1:1 full time. School had a push at getting me to say I will move him but I've made no commitment at the moment. Thing is, I just don't feel the same about the school anymore, any warm fuzzy feelings I had are gone. But I don't know if moving him is the right thing either. I honestly don't know what the right thing to do is, hence I'm wondering will the medical profession have a view? I prob should just park my brain on this til Jan but I am fretting!

Hi ladies, so would the Ed psych be likely to say if he should stay in ms or go special etc. I have been quite clear with the school that I won't be pushed into a decision at this stage, we are waiting for results fro his assessment. I'm just sick of feeling pushed around. On the other hand, I am seriously wondering whether I should cut my losses but not sure if I wd unsettle him more. Went through hell to get him settled. My feeling is they don't want him there and don't want me to name them on the statement. I honestly don't know what the right thing for him is now.

You might find that EPs under the control of the LA are not actually allowed to advise you whether SS or MS would be better. Weird but true, they tell you what provisions could/should be made and expect us, as non expert parents, to read between the lines and see if they are hinting at SS or MS. The LA should at least inform you what SSs are available and what sort of provision each offers.

Who is in the team DXing? Medical profs don't often have a clue about how the education system works and advise all sorts of educational provision that is actually very unlikely to be offered. It's the statutory assessment process that will define a DCs educational needs. This should include a medical assessment but this can often be a cursory check with an LA appointed Dr. If you want the paed's input you should request that it is included yourself.

I know how you feel moving as we are in a similar position just going round in circles and getting frustrated with a system that doesn't feel like a system at all. If I were you I would try and put it to one side over the holidays then see how you feel in Jan, that's what I will be doing as I'm quite exhausted with the whole process! So it's good to have a little break then hopefully think more clearly.

Thanks zzzz I think I need to let it float around in my head for a bit longer. My gut tells me I want him out but I am angry and emotional, not the best startling point for making big decisions! That's why I am hoping for outside views. School have their own agenda and I am upset and Feel pissy towards them. Hopefully the medical view will provide some balance.

Thanks flow, it always makes me feel a bit better to talk to someone with similar issues. My older child has no issues and really, it's like dealing with two different schools. I really dread to think what happens to more vulnerable families than us in this situation.

Talk it through with someone like IPSEA or SOS SEN. You really need to consider all the implications and make sure that you're fully informed before taking decisions.

Hi Moving

The dx process and the Statement process are actually two very separate things. You would expect that the diagnostic and educational people would agree what?s best educationally, but that doesn?t happen. This is because the diagnosticians are employed by the NHS and cannot make specific recommendations about the education your child will require, whereas the body that decides whether a Statement will be issued is the Local Authority. The NHS diagnosticians have no say in whether a statement is awarded or what level of support that Statement should contain.

You write that you have already requested an assessment that may lead to a Statement and that you are looking for 1:1 support. Who made the request to the LA for a Statement ? you or school? The whole point of the assessment process is to identify all the child?s difficulties and then determine what support is necessary to permit them to overcome each difficulty. During the Statementing process various people such as his school, the LA?s Educational Psychologist and the Community Paediatrician will all assess your son and make recommendations as to what support he will require. You will also be entitled to provide your own views and can ask the LA to seek the views of anyone else you think is relevant. At this stage ? pre-assessment, it?s difficult to state categorically that it?s actually 1:1 support that?s required, or even what sort of school your child needs. Only when everyone has completed their assessments will the LA have a full picture of what support is required and how that support can be delivered.
As a parent you have the right to opt for mainstream education and the LA should facilitate this if possible. That may mean 1:1 support in mainstream, if necessary, but you cannot be sure until the assessment of his needs and difficulties (as part of the Statementing process) is complete.

There is no point in moving schools while the Statement process is still underway. School are probably trying to pressurise you to move because school knows that should a Statement be issued by the LA, then school will be expected to find some funding for the help the Statement says your son must have. So you?re quite correct in identifying that school has it?s own agenda ? it does, and that agenda is to save money by attempting to get you to take him elsewhere. It would be pointless to do so as there?s no guarantee that any other school you chose before the Statementing process is complete would be the one that could meet his longterm needs anyway ? so he may have to move yet again when / if the Statement is issued. On the other hand, if school is being so unhelpful you may decide to move to somewhere more accommodating longterm ? once you have a Statement.

Personally, I?d chill out until the New Year, wait until you have the Propsed Statement and see what the LA have identified as his difficulties and the level of support the LA think is required. Only then can you decide which school is likely to be suited for him.

Thank you AtoZ for your great response, that really clarifies things for me. I think you are right, chill out and take the year as it comes. School put a lot of emotional blackmail pressure on me but I didn't budge and actually once I had clarified the situation with one of the organisations mentioned, they backed down. Still very disappointing though, when you come up against the less human side! Couldn't have been at a worse time either, personally, but hey ho I've learned a lesson in not trusting anyone, what a very sad lesson that is. My son has lovely teaching assistants though, so I don't feel uncomfortable leaving him with them. I think all I can do is see how it goes and see the statementing process through. Sadly we had a bereavement in the family following long term sickness, but it has freed me to focus purely on my son and keep my eye firmly on the ball where school is concerned. Kids are home now for two weeks and very lovely it is too! Have a great Xmas.