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Original poster

Statementing begins.....

40 replies

lou33 · 17/03/2004 17:07

Any advice GREATLY appreciated . The panel agreed to assess ds for statementing, so now we have a form to fill in asking for stuff about when he was a smaller child. And we have the ed psych coming on monday to our house to assess him. Anything I need to make sure I do/say etc?

TIA.

On another note, ds2 had his eyes tested today and was an angel, but needs stronger lenses.

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sinclair · 18/03/2004 15:26

Sorry Lou33 have only just seen this. It is the most traumatic process and you are very wise to be preparing for the ordeal! The thing we found hardest to deal with is writing a report that reflects the most negative side of your child (whilst never straying too far from the truth of course ) when most of your life is spent stressing the positive. We had a lot of help from our Portage worker and they are usually very experienced and (slightly) more dispassionate. Secondly I would echo what other posters have said on not being afraid to get on the phone and do battle with the beauracrats. Finally read it very very carefully - it is a legal document once it is final but you have approval, make sure it reflects what you want and keep fighting till it does! Wishing you lots of luck..

Davros · 18/03/2004 17:12

I wrote my earlier post very quickly! Now I'm also thinking that, apart from the statement being there to meet the child's needs, parents now also have a RIGHT to have their child in m/s and, as Jimjams says, said m/s school must be adapted for disabled access. Then there's the issue of parents who WANT their child in special school being forced into m/s. Blimey, its a right mixture isn't it? I suppose the key thing is to know what you want at the beginning, as you have, and try to get everything to agree with what you want...... I think its the hardest when someone starts out on statementing and they don't know what they want and they (naively) believe that the professionals will just give them the BEST that's available....

Original poster
lou33 · 19/03/2004 21:28

Thanks Sinclair and Davros.

I got the draft paed report in the post yesterday, a few tiny errors that need correcting, but we saw her today anyway for an appointment, so she gave me the direct line to her secretary to call and give the corrections. She is VERY convinced there will be no hiccups or stress involved with this provided we meet the deadlines. I feel like it's almost too good to be true, and can't quite stop holding my breath until it's all over with.

Only slight downside with the appointment today was the fact she also thinks ds2 won't be walking by school age . She said it's quite a crucial stage, the next 2 years. She explained that the older they get the harder they find it to master the art of walking, and if he did it with sticks, he will either make a decision to do it and carry on that way, or v often ,children like ds2 just can't cope, and end up using a wheelchair permanently. Hope it's the former.

On a positive side, she was delighted with his speech and language, the fact he seemed more comfortable with her this time (he actually looked her in the eye, and let her touch him), and was extremely happy with the fact that the last four sessions at his sn playgroup, we had been able to leave him for the whole 2 hours! Since October he has just wailed if he thought we were going, and was v clingy. And in the last 3 months he has gained as much as he had done over the last year. Thank you Fortini Supplemental food drink!

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suzywong · 19/03/2004 21:32

Oh that is good news
Fingers crossed and kisses to your sweet DS2

Original poster
lou33 · 19/03/2004 21:36

Ta!

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Caroline5 · 19/03/2004 21:44

Great news lou that your paed is helpful and best of luck with the whole process. Sorry about the walking, we've had the same said to us for dd2. Fingers crossed

Original poster
lou33 · 19/03/2004 21:46

Thanks Caroline .

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Original poster
lou33 · 22/03/2004 12:51

Just had the ed psych round to do her assessment of ds2. Turned up with the biggest bag of toys I have ever seen! No problems at her end from what she said, so could this be a first in mumsnet statementing, and all go smoothly?! She is visiting ds2 in his sn playgroup tomorrow as well.

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fio2 · 22/03/2004 13:04

Glad it seems to be going well LouSmile Sorry about the walking. Have they not got a conductive education centre near you? I know our friends daughter has been having conductive education with some great results (she has mod/sev spastic diplegia) she had no movement at all from the waist down and severe tightening in the pelvis. She is now crawling in the conventional sense and is standing alone (she is 5) it has really made a difference to her. Dont worry too much ds2 may suprise them all.

Great news about the weight gain too!

Original poster
lou33 · 22/03/2004 13:33

They are Bobath trained here not Peto Fio, and it seems to be better for him on balance (and us).Ds2 can crawl, but still no standing unless held/put in a frame.

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fio2 · 22/03/2004 14:31

Oh right!!Grin glad it is suiting him anyway. Didnt realise he was crawling now, thats good

Original poster
lou33 · 22/03/2004 14:58

For about 10 months .

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fio2 · 22/03/2004 15:47

god I am slooooooooow, you will have to give a kick louWink

Original poster
lou33 · 22/03/2004 16:22

Aiming........

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Original poster
lou33 · 24/06/2004 14:57

Update. Final statement received in the post this morning. I am full of relief that it was hassle free and done so quickly

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