What can / will Ed Psych do?

[strawberryshoes]

Hello all.

DD just turned four and just started reception. Preschool previously concerned re: development (preferred playing alongside when others were beginning to share imagination) so have had initial Developmental Pead appt which was not very helpful as the registrar who saw DD just told us she didn't think DD was autistic and would probably just catch up, but we could go back in 6 months for a follow up if we still had concerns. Very dismissive. No consideration that it could be something other than autism If it isn't autism.

I informed reception teacher of this and she has been keeping an eye on DD.

She and School SENCO said they saw the School Ed Psych today and she offered to have a meeting with me and School staff involved with DD as they still are not seeing shared imaginative play (although DD is clearly bright, shows no obsessions, does not mind routine change, has no self soothing behaviours) she does love sensory play like sand water and glue, and I know seems somewhat baffled by people and her social / social communication skills are poor.

My question (thanks for getting this far!) is, what can the ed psych do! I know what a developmental paed does - diagnosis to access funding to get resources to help. What does the ed psych do though?

Our offered follow up with Developmental Paed will be taken up (due Deceber I think) with I expect supporting statement from school, but in the meantime, what can I expect from meeting the ed psych?

That gives me some hope actually, the reception teacher seems pretty good so I shall be optimistic on her implementing some useful strategies if the ed psych has any.

I assumed the developmental paed was the key to diagnosis, which was the key to a statement which was the key to funding, which was finally the key to getting strategies implemented. If having an ed psych involved gets things done without a statement then that's a good start. All depends on the teachers and the ed psych though I guess!

If someone is offering help take it. You'll read on here how many (including us) have had to battle for help for their children.

Ed psych has only just got involved for my yr 4 ds1! He has multiple dx now.

EP got involved as we requested statement. School did support it. I believe they can make practical recommendations but without a statement it's dependent on the schools goodwill. Sounds like so far so good though.

I guess if we start on goodwill, the fact that an EP is needed might be fuel to move us towards getting a statement if one is required.

Thank you for the information!