EP assessment - worth it in this case?

[chocnomore]

DD is in Y1, has autism and a very severe s&l delay/disorder (both expressive and receptive are around 0.4 centile). DD is statemented.

obviously, the ASD and the speech and language issues get in the way of her learning and are holding her back massively but I would really like to find out what her potential is.

however, she never had a cognitive assessment (was only observed by EP for 45 mins when she was three).

LA EP will not assess at this stage, earliest at transition (to secondary?).

I had a small windfall and could just about afford a private EP assessment.

Would this money be well invested? at the moment we are not challenging LA/statement/etc.

Or should I save it and get it done at a later stage (e.g. before AR)?

Hmm I think I would discuss with an EP, her language levels are very low so the assessment may well not do her justice. Better spent on private SLT to maximise the potential? Or save for later? Am only speaking as a layman though.

I would not do a cog assessment on a child with such low lang levels, so many of the tests, even the non-verbal ones, rely on comprehension of language for the child to know what is expected. I don't think you would be able to get a reliable 'IQ' that would be meaningful. I would wait a few years for a cognitive assessment...and yes, a private SALT one might be money better spent at this point.

thank you handy and ilike. that is useful to know.

Hi choc ..DS has severe Sli and severe auditory memory difficulties ...when he was tested by private EP (RB) she said in her report that it was not possible to give an overall IQ as his profile is spiky -without reading it ,can't give exact reason -
Private SALT scores were same as yours ie. less than 1% tile .BUT she (EP) had every confidence that given the right help he would /could progress and she believed he had a lot of potential -he did not take Yr 6 SATS as level 2a ...
Anyway he is now in indi resi SS and taking 3 GCSE ...of course he still struggles but we have been told with right support he may well do level 1 at ms college .
We really did not think he would progress this much ! But he was left right under the radar at primary and now has the right support.

Obviously this is our son and every child has different difficulties but just wanted to let you know our story.
Our reports were done for tribunal.