Do I submit a report (for rerusal to assess tribunal) that is 'good' in parts?

[pannetone]

It is not an indi report but one written by DD's NHS SALT because DD (age 9, HFA, anxiety, selective mutism) has come to the end of her 'block' of NHS therapy. The good bits are that it sets out the current situation that DD is not currently in school and has does explain her difficulties (well most of them!) fairly well. But we are not so sure about the professional recommendations - DD has been having weekly input from the SALT - in future 12 sessions a year is recommended. And as DD is currently so anxious the SALT isn't recommending 1 to 1 sessions - instead the SALT is to advise the school and the TA who works with DD.

And there are other statements we are not happy with - for example, SALT says that because of a formal assessment done 5 years ago, and current info from us as parents and school staff DD's language skills and understanding as said to be age appropriate. We want to argue that DD needs a full assessment done now.

So do we submit the report (final evidence due in on Thursday) with comments on the bits we question? Is that better than the LA putting it in - in which case we presumably have to wait til tribunal to challenge what it says? We do have an indi SALT assessment booked but that is after the date of the tribunal, so too late for the refusal to assess one. (I am aware there may well be tribunals to come!)

I'd put it in with comments emphasising where she agrees with you and politely saying where she has gone wrong, also highlighting and explaining where she is wrong. It's ridiculous to say dd doesn't need assessment because she was assessed when she was 4, and I assume that she has misunderstood the information from you about allegedly age appropriate language and understanding? Also if there is any information from the school or elsewhere that contradicts that, it would be helpful to bring that into your comments.

I submitted official, non-Indi reports and quoted them for evidence of need (for part 2) but then used Indi reports for provision (part 3). I selectively quoted and supplied a copy of the original of official reports - the full document is not always read.

Thanks. Icimoi - I can't remember being asked what I think about DD's language skills! I am also aware I don' know what 'age appropriate" is as I have 3 on the autistic spectrum and am probably used to 'modifying' for them. If I had been asked I would query DD'S 'higher order' language skills - I do wonder if a deficit here contributes to her anxiety. As for school stsff giving theor opinion - DD rarely speaks the class teacher and TA..

I will submit the report with comments. I want to draw attention to the gact DD hasn't had a formal assessment since she was 4 ' not that she spoke then!

The SALT may say that she deduced the language skills from general information you gave rather than by asking you direct questions. However, if the reality is that you have never said anything from which she could possibly have drawn any conclusions about this, then say so.