Does anyone know about SEN in Gibraltar?

[jomaman]

Hello,

I'm trying to find out info for a friend who is based there and worried about her ds, suspected ASD/ADHD/dyspraxia/language delay/dyslexia.

Are people in Gib entitled to the same dx process for ASD as they are here?
Actually not sure if this is even the same from county to county here?

Is the statementing process the same in theory?

Would UK charities for specific dx be of help even though they are in Gib?

If anyone knows of any actual people or support organisations or forums/list dealing with SEN in Gib I would love to know, also if anyone has any recommendations for an independent EP, SALT or OT there that would be fab.

thanks in advance

Malaga or Seville might be better options, this team have some links with the UK. The university teaches a masters in autism and is doing some research too, eg on teaching reading in ASD

Gibraltar has a smaller population size than eg fWhitstable, or Windsor. They do have a very small hospital with three children's doctors, but 27,000 registered patients isn't really a proper health authority, in UK terms, it's more like the size of an extra-large GP practice. I doubt it's big enough to sustain many private therapists either....

Hi there, this is a message from madwomanintheattic (she's having some trouble getting online so asked me to post this):

On the mn sn children page is a post from a lady looking for some info about sn in Gibraltar. Can someone post a reply, telling her that her friend needs to contact the Children's Education Advisory Service, who are based in Upavon, Wilts. They will tell her all she needs to know about sn and statementing etc in Gibraltar (the family is obviously military). She can look it up on the MOD webpages. They have a helpline. I've schlepped my sn child around the military long enough . And then she needs to get herself on the SSAFA special needs newsletter list, (details available on the ssafa website). TA vm! You can say 'madwoman says' if you like

And a bit more from madwoman:

Thanks m'dear. If they are military, (strong suspicion) then they really don't need to be chasing around the world, they just need to use the mod framework that exists for exactly such scenarios. You could also point her towards the Army Families Federation website - they have a special needs advisor who she can get in touch with too, and they will literally walk her through the whole process.

Hi mareeya, jacksmania and madwoman! So glad there is somebody out there! The bad news is they are not in the military. I will PM you if that is ok :) thanks

Hi I am in Gibraltar, if your friend would like to pm me I am happy to help. I don't know how the system works in the UK so I can't say if it's the same process but I can give her some info on how it works here. Logistically, I would keep Spain out of the picture as it is a hassle and far better to get in to the system here. I know of one independent OT here but I haven't used her as the GHA (NHS) ones are very good. I have a feeling that things are quicker here, from what I have read on other threads, probably due to the fact that it is a smaller population.

thanks Amapoleon I have PMed you!