Should I be invited to EP assessment at school?

[Tunna]

Been waiting for an Educational Psychologist assessment for my 8 yr old DS with suspected ASD since February. The school couldn't get an appt last school year as they'd used up all their allocated hours, but promised he'd be at the top of the list for the new school term.

So I emailed the HT last week asking for an update and she replied it's booked in for next Thursday, and had I been asked to fill in the consent form?

I replied back that I'd come in and fill in the form and did I need to be there, but not had a response back.

I'd really like to meet with the EP but I'm not sure whether I can force this. Also DS's case is going to panel in 2 weeks and I was told by the comm paed if the EP's report came back 'strong' they could skip panel and give a diagnosis based on all the other reports that have supported a dx of ASD.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I rang the local Ed Psych team to check that DS's referral finally got there and they were lovely and said they are happy to talk to parents. The Ed Psych is ringing me to chat a week before the assessment at school which is pointless in our case as DS masks at school

I agree with babies by pass the school and ring the EP direct, I have found them very helpful

babies, dont assume that the EP wont pick up on your Ds's difficulties. Dd3 is the queen of masking and the EP managed to spot her anxiety the first time she met her

Good luck tunna

Thanks everyone, I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what they say x

Tunna Best of luck :)

Ineedmorepatience Thanks...I hope you are right...I have given up with school, I don't think DS will get any support whatever happens but I am hoping the Ed Psych can give ME some pointers on reducing DS' s anxiety levels.

My DS suffers terribly from anxiety as well, it's my biggest concern and something I hope the EP can assist with. His teacher this year is a lot more supportive but I feel he's masking more as he doesn't want to let her down, whereas before he would just cry. She's also working on his social skills and encouraging him to play with other kids at break time, which is a good thing but at the same he's not getting the opportunity to 'de stress' from all the sensory inputs if that makes sense?

Yes it makes perfect sense to me!

Our children need time each day to shut down and oress the refresh button. Dd3 has learned to managed until she gets home most days but we dont plan anything for at least a couple of hours after school and we dont make any demands either.

Hope the EP can help