Learning Difficulty

[TUTS1]

I wondered if anyone else is in similar boat to me ? My son is 4 years 8 months he is in Reception at the moment . He is a very sociable little boy who loves playing and dancing . His speech has been a real problem though . He struggles with understanding and when he does speak its often not very eaasy to understand . Although saying that he is able to ask me for pretty much anything he needs sjuice food toliet ect . He went on a special speech therapy course where they have warned me the outcome will be learning Difficulties and that we should get him statemented as he will not thrive without additional help at school . We have seen the Educational Phycologist who has said its some kind of learning issue its not just his language his concentration isnt great either . We saw the Paediatrician who says his speech is of a 2 year old .
The thing is I dont really know what the problems are and where to find more information and gte some kind of help so I know what im dealing with . Will they let me know whats wrong or does it not work like that ? Everyone just keeps nodding and things like hmmm yes some learning issues here . I dont know what kind of learning difficulty he has . Im concerned about his future and how his life is going to be .Some of the stuff online just makes me feel so sad and I have no idea how bad he is . Will the school even know ?

Can't be a great help as I'm kind of in the same boat. My ds is 4 years 5 months and in reception. He is behind in all areas, went from global developmental delay to dx of moderate learning disability. He was late to meet all developmental goals, not walking until 2y 3m, speech is present ly at a 2 y old level as is his understanding, no where near toilet training, very hyperactive, very poor attention. He has always been a happy sociable little boy but recently his behaviour has become very challenging, think this might be due to frustration/emotional delay. He has had genetic tests and MRI but no reason found or likely to be found. He does have a statement. very frustrated by professionals who appear very somber and concerned but fail to offer practical/realistically helpful advice.

Unfortunately everything is a battle, you have just got to push for everything. Every child is different and will develop differently so don't compare to case studies on the net it will only depress you.

Keep mumsnetting most of the good advice I have received is from here x

Hi, I have a similar little boy, his difficulties are described currently as global development delay.

What has the paediatrician written on paperwork for your ds? There should be dome description of his difficulties.

How is the school addressing his needs? Is he on SN register? Ask them if he is on School Action plus.

What recommendations did the educational psychologist suggest?

Do you know you can claim DLA for him?

Does he get 1-1 support?

If you feel he is needing more help at school, check out Ipsea website on how to apply for Statement of SN.

Hiya , Thanks both of you for replying this is my first ever post :) I only saw the Educational Phycologist last week so I havent seen her notes yet everyone is making sounds of learning difficulty so im exspecting to get letters in the next few weeks saying this . I am in the process of getting him statemented . But its not going to happen v quickly the Paediatrician didnt think she could get her notes over before Christmas and if honest felt her v lax didnt agree with everything she said . The school and the paediatrician are saying he has poor mobility but I really disagree with this and have said as much . . He is a really fast runner and is very strong . Compared with other children his age he seems on par with them from what I can tell anyway .
The Educational Psycologist has said to use pictures to help with communication and has said his concentration is less than a minute . She is going to visit him once more I believe . She also said she didnt want to label him . I just feel so frustrated I guess noone can tell me what the future will hold and I dont know for sure exactly whats wrong .
I just want to prepare myself really . Finding it very hard .
I didnt know about DLA I will look into that Thankyou .
I think I am going to have to wait for all the forms from the different professionals before I really know what im dealing with . When your talking to them they dont really seem to tell you anything even though at the time it feels like it . you come away feeling confused . I really appreciate just having replies from you it feels a relief to be able to speak about it to people who understand Thankyou so much xx

You might want to try contacting your Parent Partnership service - every LEA has to have one. Mine has sent me very useful info about how to manage meetings and what kind of support I should ask for from school.

IME, it's very, very slow and the different agencies are hopeless at communicating with one another. DS was referred over a year ago and he still doesn't have a DX!

I meant to say I will ask the school re action + They have sadi they are helping him but I dont really know how . His teacher is very good and asked for pictures of home life which i have given her . Which will help with communication .I will let you know what I find out once get letters thanks again x

Thanks for that I am going to try and get in touch with Parent Partnership service :)

Mine produce a leaflet which explains the differences between School Action/School Action +/Individual Education Plan

I have just checked his Sen notes and it has a + at the end so he is on action + its not been explained to me properly and thankyou for all your help . I have got in touch with Parent Partnership they are going to call me tom to have a chat . I now know he is Action + which I had never heard of and have managed to read up on it . Thanks for all your help I will keep reading and sure once I get copy of reports from professionals it will help even more Thanks everyone