Worth applying for statement before diagnosis?

[popgoestheweezel]

We are due to get a diagnosis of PDA for ds in 8 weeks time (I am 100% certain we will get it at it is totally, glaringly obvious it explains all his difficulties.
CT has told us she thinks he will need 1-1 to manage and currently he is getting some support from an untrained/unqualified person.
We think we should apply for a statement but is it worth doing before we get report, up to 6 weeks after appt so will be end of year by the time we get it all official. Then of course 6 weeks for response to request, (oct half term) then how long will lea take for actual statutory assessment?

I would. It's needs based, not dx based, and you can always ask them to consider new evidence as you get it.

The biggest problem though is that school have never had an imp or ibp for him despite me suggesting it. They have said there's no point because he wouldn't repsond to them setting a target but of course that would be what proves they can't support him with their own resources.

iep

Yes, I would apply, ask school to put in writing for you the help he already gets and what additional help they think he needs and therefore why they believe he needs a statement. Apply for the statement for him yourself and do it sooner rather than later, sending in the information from the school. The LA will mess around in most circumstances and you will find yourself potentially needing to appeal more than once, but they may well back down as other evidence becomes available. In DDs case we got as far as a note in lieu without a diagnosis, then 2 weeks later the diagnosis was given (with no new information about her needs) and bingo they backed down and agreed to issue a statement instead of the NIL, without needing a hearing. We are only now at the tribunal stage and this is over school placement, but it has taken us 2 years to get to this point believe it or not as I have had to appeal every stage of the way, though the LA backed down each time until the final point now.

yes, apply....in our case, we applied without a diagnosis. were turned down but got a diagnosis within 4 weeks of being turned down and were reconsidered for SA, LEA said yes

it takes 6 months for a statement not including the 6 weeks holiday. thats if it goes ahead straightforwardly - i would apply. the fact he doesnt have an IEP you could use for evidence for you as his needs are clearly greater than an average child. all you need to show at this stage that an assessment is needed and how will they know what his needs are of they do not do an assessment. check out the ipsea website which has a fab document on their about refusual to assess which gives some pointers to you at this stage to show what you need to be showing