What should I be asking the school to do to help, as they don't want to do much!

[gabbybaby]

DD, Y1, is struggling and unhappy. Her reading skills are delayed (she's just blending sounds), can barely write, doesn't know the names of all of the letters (although knows the letter sounds and can blend sounds). Just had a (private) OT assessment done (at the school's recommendation) which among many other things, highlighted issues with short attention span & focus, weak auditory memory, language issues, difficulties with forming social relationships, poor organisational skills, plus more. Among the general OT recommendations, they also suggested a full ed psych assessment to assess for underlying difficulties. School SENCO has screened for dyslexia which showed a high probability. Her class teacher has told me that her reading and writing has not progressed this term. Despite all of the above, I don't feel as though the school is offering anything much tangible in the way of extra support. They tell me she is young and will catch up (summer baby). They have refused an IEP, despite all of the above, as the SENCO tells me she is progressing, just slowly, even though her class teacher told me she is not progressing (and the teacher told the OT the same thing, so it's in the OT report). She does have booster reading. But she is still sitting in a classroom where most of the lessons are beyond her, moving too quickly (she has said herself on specific occasions) and she's unhappy at school because she's feeling under pressure and can't keep up. What can I ask/insist the school do to help?

You can certainly ask for everything that your OT has recommended. It will then come down to what the can afford to implement.

The trouble is that you are still at the stage of discovering what differences your dc has from the majority of her classmates, and so no-one yet knows all the provision would be beneficial.

You have been pointed towards an EP. You can either ask the school to get the LA EP to do an assessment, or apply yourself for an EHCP which will trigger a formal process of the LA considering whether to assess, and if so they will get their LA EP to assess. They will also ask you for your views, and for any relevant medical and social services input on top of a report from the school.

From what you say, if social communication is less well developed than that of her classmates then a speech and language therapist (for social language rather than speech) would be in order.

The trouble is that the EHCP process can be pretty slow, which is unfortunate as early intervention is usually recommended.

If you can afford a private EP report I would go for that, as it is much quicker. You could get a private Speech and Language Therapist as well.

The possible down side of this route, apart from the cost, is that some schools are wary of them - someone on these boards said their school told her not to get one as they always recommended things that the school could not afford. The other problem is that if the recommendations are more than the school can afford then you will have to get the LA to provide extra funding, most probably by going through the EHCP process.

I hope this gets you on your way

You should be able to self refer to SLT and EP now. look at council local offer and NHS hospital near you website. Some areas do SLT drop in sessions

They have no way of knowing she will catch up, that nonsense. If she is obviously falling behind its more likely the gap will get bigger.

I would be tempted to apply for EHCP even though its likely to be refused (as the school has not exhausted everything it can do) because at least that will make the the council sen team aware (and they will then put up a rocket up school's backside to avoid you appealing).

EHCP is a good way to get assessments done within a reasonable timeframe as they wouldn't be able to defend an appeal without EP, SLT etc saying assessment is not needed. (you need to appeal until you are happy enough is being done but can withdraw it any any time and it doesn't cost anything to appeal)

ds (autism) learned lots of these skills from an iPad which is a very visual and repetitive way of learning and suited him + cbeebies and poissonrouge websites with lots of games on.

There are lots of free resources online too. Montessori type approach might help - zzzz on here has done some great threads with ideas and there are ideas you can diy e.g. on pinterest app

Have you considered discussing your concerns with you GP. Ask for a Paediatric referral. They will be able to make a proper diagnosis if necessary and refer to specific services ie. SLT. Please don't just rely on the school to do much anytime soon.