Statement of Special Educational Need

[lou20052009]

We have applied for a statement for our 8 year old with Aspergers. He is academically able, but suffers with anxiety and typical aspergers issues, which have lead to regular attempted school refusal. We have been asked by the panel of the LEA to meet in school to discuss our son, as school have painted a positive picture in their evidence to the LEA. Any advice would be great, the LEA have informed me they have yet to make a yes or no decision about the statement and will do so after the meeting. Do you think a private Ed Psych report would help to present at the meeting? Has anyone faced such a meeting before? Thanks

You need as much evidence as you can get within reason. An ed psyc report will cost hundreds and probably best left if needed at a tribunal.
You could ask the LEA to send your child to a paediatrician or psychologist to assess his well being.
You need to point out to the LEA that children will not show their emotion in school. They try to get on with it, bottling it up all day. They then release it at home in a safe loving environment. This is typical behaviour and one that children display when unhappy.
You need to state just because they don't see an unhappy or destressed child doesn't mean all is well.
You need action plans on how to make his life less stressful in school.
A detailed writen routine of what is happening each day. A desk in each classroom in the quietest place. May be on the edge. That is always his. For the other kids to be educated on someone with asbergers needs or how they are effected. They need a safe place. Somewhere they can go to get away if needs be. Not a whole room to themselves but a seat near an office a little bit secluded that they can go to if they become overwhelmed. Support in the playground. Again a place they know is theirs or a member of staff to talk to. If they have routines , safe places to go, even a club that is less busy than the playground would help. A busy school must be so overwhelming for him.
Another idea is to ask your son to write how he feels in school and take that with you.

Hi lou we were in a similar situation and the LA refused to assess my Dd3 on the grounds that her NC levels were high and the senco said she was fine.

We appealed, took the LA to tribunal and won. We had loads of evidence to say that anxiety and school refusal were barriers to her learning. The tribunal panel agreed and ordered the LA to assess her.

You might be better on the special needs children board, it is much busier over there and there are lots of people in similar situations.

Good luck