statutory assessment almost completed - appendix a

[2boysnamedR]

So what do I need to put in my covering points? They have about 20 reports. Do I just keep to the basics like 'as you can see on pg four of report a ds has a dx of x y and z'

Dreading this part like I'm going to faff his chances up. But it s best to keep to two sides of a4 surely or they will not read it?

Help! This feels like homework I have put off until the night before it has to be in

Your views WILL become part of your Statement. By the time I eventually got to write my views (after refusal to assess), I was determined my voice was heard. So I wrote a 10 A4 typed pages. I referred all back to the various reports. Once I got going, I had realms to write.

Remember, this is your chance to finally be heard. You are your child's lead advocate and know DC far far more than anyone else

Ten pages? Crickey I had better pull my finger out!

I did sub headings of difficulties ie hearing, vision, speech communication and social, emotional, self care, sensory, motor skills etc, etc. Then gave the history of each one.

For example - Vision - concerns were raised about his vision at his 9 month developmental check. He was referred to Miss X at X hospital. He received a dx of X on X date. (enc. 1...report of eye specialist). Then went on to explain how this affects ds.

and so on and on.

Then for appendix A (b) 'what is your child like now' I wrote Please refer to Appendix A ds remains the same in all areas and continues to experience the same difficulties and has regressed in many areas. Then wrote about the areas of regressions. For example school absences due to anxiety etc.

Ugh! I have put this off for two long. Plus baby has to see the neuro disability pead in the morning! Sn over load.

And ds pooped his pants tonight. Shoot me now....

Sounds like you have your hands full! I found once I started to write, it kinda wrote itself and everything fell into place.

Good luck with it and with your appointment tomorrow

Well it easly turned into a massive essay! Will re- read and send it tomorrow. It's hard to fit six eventfully years into some thing consise that will be read in its entirety.

I want to write "open your eyes, can't you see what's right there and so obvious to me" but they don't know him.

He comes across as a poo smeared hunch back which isn't really.

I just hope this works, feels like last chance saloon time :0(

Not your last chance at all. Took me 4 years, 2 SA's refusals, 1 tribunal, 1 NIL, before ds eventually got a statement.!

Sorry that was hardly motivating! I meant its not your last chance, don't give up

Thanks, I do expect another tribunal but still some hope. His pead called me last week and said in her report she said said he needs salt and ot in his statement. So that sounds hopeful. I just don't want to muck it up for him.

When asked for his views he though school was great and he has no problems, sigh. I can't put words into his mouth. He has no idea bless him, he's only six so I hope they understand that

Who asked for his views, school?

No the lea asked for his views. But the school have ask him as well and i know he will tell them he is happy is doing fine as well.

Ds used to report fine, great if school or anyone asked him, for a number of reasons I think. 'fine' you don't have to explain. 'Fine' you don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing and getting into trouble. 'Fine' as he didn't know how to put into words how he was feeling. 'Fine' if the question was too general and a learnt response 'how is school' 'fine'. If they were more specific and asked 'how is PE' 'how is playtime' 'how is English' and named each lesson, they would had got a truer response from ds! (although still in very general terms) 'I don't like it'

Your ds is only 6, ds didn't start speaking out about his school experience (to anyone but me) until he was 9. Hopefully they will take his views in the context of he is only 6 and might not know or want to tell the whole world or anyone he doesnt trust how he is feeling, particularly if he is experiences emotions which are hard for a 6 year old.

2 A4 typed pages (one sided)

I didn't refer to any of the expert reports. I wrote from my heart. What he was like at that moment in time; what we as his parents wanted for him; that we would never give up on him and that we would do anything to ensure he would grow up into a healthy adult. He was in no way accessing the curriculum and we would not stop until he finally was. A lot more but condensed into 2 pages. Bullet points and straight to the point.

I guessed whatever I wrote woukd be totally dismissed so I wrote something that I knew might be read by ds in the future, to show him how hard I was trying for him.

Thanks. Ds really does think he perfectly normal. School thinks he will realise closer to 8. Lets hope he doesn't fall to far behind by then!

Starlight and no stopping - that's lovely. Ds will read mine and be horrified as a adult I thought so little if him ;0(

Has to be done

There is no such thing, especially not perfectly normal, everyone has their faults, strengths and weaknesses! He is just as unique as the next person