Basic question re statement process

[IsItMeOr]

5yo DS is stuck in the referral process for a possible social communication disorder at the moment, so I am probably over-worrying [we fall between two NHS/LA areas, so not eligible for the multi-disciplinary assessment team, and currently trying to get an alternative assessment route sorted].

School tell us that DS needs almost 1-1 support at the moment. He frequently (almost daily) is hurting other children, and sometimes adults.

My question is whether DS needs to have some sort of medical diagnosis to have a chance of getting a statement, or whether behaviour problems alone can be sufficient to get a statement?

Thanks.

Not if you have that information from the school in writing.

No behavioural problems are sufficient. Neither of my sons had a diagnosis at the time SA was agreed (although it was highly suspected). You do need the behaviour documented though so ask school to do a behavioural record - we used exclusions, a school behavioural log which recorded major incidents and a home-school behaviour book as evidence. If he is hurting the other children they should be writing this down somewhere if only to cover their own backs.

Right. That's really helpful to know.

We have a school/home log book that went between us and school since the autumn. But since Easter it has disappeared from DS's book bag. Am I being paranoid to think there is a sinister reason for this?

School have been really great, but now we're just getting occasional updates and limited info on what has happened. So this week, I emailed to explain what worrying things we were seeing re DS's contact with school friends outside school hours (e.g. arriving/leaving school, at class birthday parties, after school clubs). Got an email back saying all was basically fine at school.

But then this morning when I dropped DS into classroom early, as per usual, found that DS is no longer sitting on his chair on the carpet, but at a table facing the other way. DS also told DH that he was kept out of the assembly yesterday. And DS told me that he had spent the afternoon with the Deputy Head the day before that. These things suggest pretty strongly to me that everything at school is not basically fine. But we haven't had anything documented by school.

We do have a meeting next Friday to review DS's IEP targets. What do we need to be asking about/for then, do you think?

Where are my manners - Thank you

I am getting a good idea about how hard-earned your knowledge is.

Yes. Write down all of your questions (mentioning all of the things there) and submit as an 'agenda'. Then follow it up with minutes and their answers.

This is to document the evidence that is missing from the homeschool book.

Bad week, this week. Just had Headmaster talk to me, to say that they are putting DS back on effectively 1:1 as a short-term risk management approach to keep the other kids safe.

So I guess it's safe to assume the school are on the same page as us, at least.

i was in exactly the same situation with my ds at the same age. he ended up being completely segragated from his peers and taught in isolation. he wasnt even allowed out at break and dinner because he could get out of the school grounds. he has had full time 1:1 since age 4. the school applied for a statement and i supported them and we got 27.5 hours. he has had that ever since but has moved to a different school where they can manage him better. he is now in year 4 having moved school in year 1 and was slowly reintegrated into the classroom and particpates as much as he can manage. he still has major difficulties and has even had 2:1 for 6 months but he starts special school in september so hopefully he will progess much better. he is bright and articulate boy but his asd causes him major difficulties.

definately apply for a statement if they have exhausted everything else such as behaviour support and outreach etc. i found that the ed psych report was probably the most important document in getting ds his statement. a good ed psych report is so valuable.

Thanks ljld84. I think it's reassuring to hear that people do get support sometimes through the statementing process.

I read a depressing thread yesterday which was saying how there was not enough money for anything, and anybody who thought there was didn't know what the real world was like - I paraphrase.

School have been doing the right processes so far. I guess it needs DS to demonstrably fail at the School Action/Action Plus stages before we get onto the assessment. It just feels a bit like slow torture at the moment.

At least it's the weekend.

ds was statemented in 2010 and obvs things change and i can't say what money is like at the moment but ive not experienced any difficulties. i have heard that things are getting tougher but tbf the LA have never tried to reduce ds's statement and have funded the 2:1 he has had, in fact it was their suggestion not mine. he has just been funded for independent special school placement so there is some money somewhere, maybe it depends on area.

I dont understand why you cant get a MDA? The issue is where you live is the NHS CCG responsibility. If the LA are arguing about who is responsible then the what is called the belonging regulations make it very clear that it is the home LA. Dont let them confuse you and deny you the right for a MDA.

Hi Nigel - well I'm certainly confused.

The issue is that we live in X local authority and are registered with a GP in Y CCG.

It seems that the only multidisciplinary team is a co-funded effort between Y CCG and Y council. I don't think X CCG/council has one.

Is a MDA an entitlement? I figured that it was a nice to have, but if DS needs a CAMHS assessment and a SALT assessment, that would be okay so long as he gets them.

Feel so out of my depth. Is there something I should be reading to help me understand this?

This issue is where you live anything else is back passing by the various fund holders. Get hold of your local councilor and MP and thump the table - also complain tot he chair of the PCT or CCG. There is nothing so unedifying as two middle level bureaucrats fighting over finding like.

Thanks Nigel - I am trying PALS today. When I'm not at work, I'm going to try the GP too (and it turns out that one of the GPs in our practice is also Clinical Chair of the CCG).

Excellent