private Ep vs LA Ep,... anyone had experience of both??

[ginamarshall]

hi
I was just wondering whether anyone has had both private Ep and LA Ep , assess your child, were the reports conflicting or in agreement?
tia
Gina x

We paid for a private EP and based on this report we applied for a statement. During the process out son was assessed again by the LA EP as well. Both supported. Each other, but I know this isn't always the case.

Make sure the Independent EP is Chartered thus regulated. I have had both on one of my children and the LA EP missed my sons most significant SPLD, wasn't thorough enough, ie. 3rd percentile processing difficulty. Both EP's picked up his 12th percentile working memory SPLD. I did ask the LA EP to check my ds's processing, so she didn't listen to me. Many EP's leave the LA and go private because they are not bound to politics or time restricted. Based on what I have experienced, also at tribunal, I would not trust an LA EP to have integrity and to be thorough. Use it as a quick screen if you can't afford and independent EP report, but bear in mind they may skimp on detail and be means led rather than need led in their reporting. Hope this helps.

PATOSS www.patoss-dyslexia.org/SupportAdvice/AboutTutorAssessorIndex/ publishes a register of Specialist Assessors (Educational Psychologists or Specialist Teachers) who are insured and fully qualified to diagnose dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD/ADHD, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. Prices range from a set £300 - £800 for an assessment, although all reports have to be written to the same, exacting professional standards. As to LA EPs, some are excellent, nevertheless, he who pays the piper...

I have recently been told that they cant repeat the assessments within 6 months, although this could be garbage!!

We have had an independent assessment done on our Dd3 which confirmed my suspicions that she has a very spikey profile and big gaps in her understanding.

She is now being see by the LA Ed Psych but I am sure this is only because everyone is very embarrased to have missed such glaringly obvious issues despite me telling them repeatedly

I've had both. The LA cherry-pick assessments - if you don't find a problem you don't have to fix it. If you get an Indi report they will be more thorough using different assessments (they are time-limited as to how long before they can be repeated) in order to find evidence that can be used to challenge assessment of need.

Usually, the measurements yield the same results but the text will be completely different. Difficulties will be minimised or where more severe are usually followed by the subjective view of teachers that things do seem to be getting better recently.

We had a private EP done following my own instincts that my DD was dyslexic as the school refused to acknowledge a problem.
The report was carried out by SCUDA South Cumbria Dyslexia Association it was extremely thorough and on a par and at least as comprehensive as private EP reports that I've seen for HE students (carried out by 'private EP's). On the advice of British Dyslexia Association (BDA) the only difference between these two types of reports is the cost. The SCUDA report was at least £100 cheaper than a private EP report. I would agree with comments that LA EP reports may cherry pick especially if borderline (which is why I avoided this as thought they would favour the school SENCO.
Something else to bare in mind is in my opinion you need to feel comfortable and confident in the EP. If you are going down this route the SCUDA EP phoned me and discussed the process, welcomed questions and we had lengthy conversations before the appointment so we were both happy that the appointment and report were being done with the child's best interests at heart. This all helped enormously and the experience was very positive for myself and my daughter.

We had a private EP done and it was based on this report we applied for statement. It is true that they can't assess the same things within six months so when the authority EP came to assess, she observed and confirmed the original findings. The private one was very thorough, and it while expensive it was money well spent. I would have the private one first if you can as it puts the LA on a bit of a back foot as they would have to challenge the views of your professional. If they do theirs first, it's you challenging theirs - if that makes any sense?!

I had report carried out by a neighbouring dyslexia association so they had no ties with our particular school LEA to get round that problem. But I would also have a thorough chat with them confirming what can and can't be confirmed picked up in report (as some may not be as thorough as the person or report we had).