Getting a statement for asphergers syndrome

[caroline3]

Hi I have decided I really want to start pushing for a statement now.

I am going to contact IPSEA for some advice but I was wondering if any of you have had success in getting a statement for children with AS.

DS has terrible social skills and problems with concentration - often seems like he is on another planet. He can have melt downs but fortunately or unfortunately these are getting less common at school. He is very stubborn and finds transitions and changes in routine hard to handle. I feel he could benefit from one to one support for a few hours a week in the class room. Also he needs specific help with his social skills and this really needs to be with someone who has experience/expertise in dealing with AS kids. So far he is on school action + but obviously this is not ring fenced and help often seems to be cancelled because so and so is "on a course" or doing something else which I find very frustrating. I feel I am being fobbed off as the SENCos seem more into helping slow readers etc (not that this isn't important) and are not tuned into kids with ASDs. Any advice/experience much appreciated.

Thanks Socci. Do you know if the schools will let an independent EP into school to observe ds in the class room?

I know many children with AS/HFA who have statements. I think it used to be easier before funds were devolved to schools (action + etc) although it was never easy for anyone.

We don't have but another child in DS1's year has. The boy's mum had to threaten to take them to tribunal but they caved in before the tribunal hearing.

Thanks so much guys

I have now had a meeting with the SENCo who has advised me that the Ed Psych (Council one) has said that DS won't get a statement. I don't know what grounds the EP has for saying this and I am going to ask for clarification of this.

I have found out that 50% of the social skills sessions ds was meant to be getting were cancelled this term and I was not advised of this. Given that the sessions are only two a week at 20 mins each I find this absolutely disgusting. I now feel I can't trust the school to even carry out the small amount of support they said they would. He gets hardly any support in the class room and again the SENCo admitted that this meant he was spending a lot of the time doing nothing (he has ADD as well as AS) and also he did not interact with the other children.

The SENCo does not appear to be able to call on any other outside expertise and whilst she assures me she understands the problems of children on the ASD spectrum actions speak louder than words. I have now decided that I will have to be much more proactive and for a start I am going to be enquiring each week as to what DS has been doing and whether the agreed sessions have taken place.

How old is your DS? Our son (age 10) has a statement for Aspergers, so it certainly can be done. He gets 25 hours 1-to-1 help a week -- and he's bright. The ed psych also told us that we wouldn't get anything, and in fact advised us (when he was 6) not to go for diagnosis, as it would simply be 'an unhelpful label'. Grrrr. Has your ed psych actually seen your child yet? For how long? Where we are, schools have a very small allocation of ed psych time per year.
If you think he needs help, stick to it, and good luck.

Hi Caroline

Was not surprised to read what had happened to you I am sorry to say. The talk is all designed to put people like your good self off from applying.

The EP you saw is employed by the LEA - such people are under pressure from them to reduce the amount of statements being issued. I would take not notice of the nay-sayers and apply for the statement yourself. IPSEA are very good and I would get them on side as well as looking at their website www.ipsea.org.uk. You do not need school or anyone else to do it; infact it looks better if the initial request comes from the parents (also you have the right of appeal).

If your DS is on a plan like School Action Plus such a scheme is not legally binding and therefore any extra support is scant at best and not always carried out. I am therefore not at all surprised to read that half his social skills lessons were cancelled along with the fact you were uninformed of this.

You are your child's best - and only - advocate. No-one else is going to help him like you can.

To my mind nothing short of a Statement will do with regards to your DS.

Attila-Can both parents and SENCO apply for a statement at the same time? My DSs SENCO (he is 8 and has AS) is applying for one but I remember reading that if the LA turn the school down, they cannot appeal whereas the parents can. Is that right?

If the SENCO is willing perhaps she will write a letter to support your parental application.
If you do it at least you'll know the request has been made then. The LEA must reply also within six weeks.

Parents have a key role to play - they have the right of appeal if the LEA say no. Schools do not readily have that right, parents have far more power in this regard.

(BTW all previous requests from the school my son attends asking the LEA in question for an initial assessment were all turned down flat).