Questions about statementing

[TinselgalacticWalrus]

My friend's son has been more or less diagnosed with ADHD and some symptoms of ASD. He has no support in school, at present, although he has had some in the past, but funding was stopped for it. He's had IEPs in place since reception. (He's now in Year 4)

Does anyone know what criteria is used for statementing? His teacher is quite dismissive of his mum and seems like she doesn't want the burden of extra paperwork. She hasn't a clue where to start (an neither do I!) I thought that this was the best bet for further information.

Ask any questions you like, as my friend is sat next to me!

you need to contact the ed physc and request an assessment for statementing, schools often don't want to start the process but it is best if you do it yourselves anyway, my three have statements and were all started by myself and all went through without problems.

OJ...did u start the statementing off yourself cos school tghoght it pointless to try...as all we get told is "they're not struggling enough" or words to that affect.

tinsel...you are so good to come on here 4 your friend! I know what you mean about dismissive teachers! i have 3 boys...2 diagnosed aspergers -and i have been on about ds3 for ages...but noone listened...

then after pestering- and then full blown crisis- where i just sat in Heads office in flods of tears...she reluctantly reffered him to a 'behaviour unit' for a 10 week programme...but warned he prob did not meet their criteria.

well...the team from the unit met me...took notes...visited him and observed him at school... then chatted to him to find out how he feels...and without hesitation offered him a place. (quite a big sucesss as this unit covers 6 large towns...only runs 4 courses a year...and only takes 6 kids per course...so only 24 kids a year get this course!)
...and though upsetting to be told by them that after only 1 day MY SON struggled the most...MY SON had APPAULING attenton span.....was the least able to join in with games etc....and needed the most adult suport....infact...it was sheer relief as THEY said they knew from the 1st moment they observed him that he had 'needs'...and have already said hat whilst they won't suggest a diagnosis...they have agreed that if after the 10 weeks he 'has not moved forward' as they'd expect....that should i continue with his referral for a diagnosis (on hold for the 10 weeks- my idea!) they will SUPPORT me and produce a detailed report of the difficulties he has.

so.....sorry to go a bit off track (i am know to waffle!)...but felt this was a bit relevent....as i am forever being dissmissed by teachers...and it took my ds2 hurling a table..for the school to finally agree to get the ed psych to observe...with a view to maybe school starting statementing to be in place by when he starts secondary. (he has severe anger/emotional problems...but as he is so able achedemically...the school say he is 'too able' tobe statemented...but i am prepared to try myself on tghe grounds that he is approx at a 5yr old level for emotional/social etc...was 10 in october....and that infact being age 12+ for maths causes him frustrations too....

so maybe speak to the senco (specila needs coordinator) as i did... and see if the ed psych can 'just have a look' .... our senco discussed my son with ed psych- and she immediately agreed that at age 10, having emotinal age of 5 or even 6....would make life very difficult for him at primary.....let alone secondary....so even before he has been observed i am feeling a bit stronger as up till now school said his emotional wellbeing was not covered by statement!!!
good luck!

yes, i started the statementing off for my twin girls when they were 4 and at nursery, they moved to a SN school at 5.
DS was DX with autism at 2 1/2 so i started the statementing and he had a statement for his 3rd birthday and started at a specialist ASD nursery where he stayed until 5, he then moved to mainstream school, he is now in year 5 but will move to his sisters school for comp or before if needed.

My friend has said the senco at her DS's school is largely useless. Is there any way she contact an ed psych herself?

it really is not up to the school to decide if your child should have a statement, if school ask for a statement and they are refused then school have no right to appeal, if you ask for a statement and are refused then you can appeal.
i would always advise parents to get a statement and the earlier the better, i have seen too many parents struggle to get one for there child who have survived juniors but really would not survive mainstream comp.
there are lots of positives to having a statement, i don't know of any negatives

your mate should contact the ed physc herself, do not wait, sencos often suggest that parents wait and see.

So where is the starting point for getting the statemening process off the ground?

Where would she find out about an ed psych? (we are both clueless!!!) The school have given absolutelu no guidance whatsoever

school should know who the ed phsyc is, but failing that you can phone your LEA ask to be put through to the SEN ed dept and make a formal request for statementing, they will ask you to put it in writing, give me a shout if you want any help with the letter, i have done loads of these for other parents.

Thank you, only joking!

We'll probably take you up on it!

thats ok, you can cat me or give us a shout.

Hi

IPSEA are very good when it comes to the whole statementing process and would suggest you have a look at their website which is www.ipsea.org.uk.
The website also has model letters that parents can use.

The parents can request a statutory assessment from the LEA and can appeal if they refuse to do so; it does not need to come from school at all. It is best if the request comes from the parents. Infact with regards to making the initial request I would not get the school involved at all.

Your friend should be aware that this all takes time; if a statement request is "straightforward" (and it rarely is) the time take to get a statement issued is about six months.

BTW the acid test for statementing is that if a child's needs are not being met by school then a statement should be issed.

attila...interesting abot better for parents to request...as we are always made to feel we are better to have the schools backing !

so thanks for giving me a bit more confidence!

just feel overwelmed cos ds1 now almost 13 is sinking @ secondary...and feel we should push for statement...AND ds2 i'm sure will fair worse when he starts in 2008... and then theres ds3... already at 7 looking like he'll need close support at school.

maybe i can ask the LEA if they do "Buy two...Get One Free" on statements!!

unless the lea have changed, there were no buy 2 get 1 free offers when my three were statemented

The SENCO should know who the LEA Ed psych is - they must have visited the school for other children. IPSEA is good also SOS!SEN is fantastic and run courses on how to take on the LEA (its a bit scary). I can recommend Sandy Row's book, 'Surviving the Special Educational Needs System' and she has a website as well with lots of help numbers www.special-educational-needs.co.uk I used a fab lady who runs ASSET which helps you with the letters, forms, etc. I can give the number but she only takes on a limited number of cases. OASIS is also good and send out information sheets and stuff. The key is to get your child to be as revolting as possible the day the ed psych comes to call. I was really lucky because my son's school was all on board and knew he had to have a mega melt down to get the result we wanted and let's just say it happened . . .(Son was rather pleased with himself as well!)

Also some LEAs are better than others and quite a few have very bad reputations. An LEA will generally do anything not to statement. If the school are being a pain is it worth moving schools to one that is more proactive?

Best of luck

would the LEA 'listen' to a private EP???

thanks socci....goes back to the main failing...which is that the LEA ask their own employees to decide whether more money shold be spent on a child....biassed or what!It should be independant advice....grrrrr!