What does an Ed. Psych. determine in a 3 year old?

[Frogandbear]

We have a meeting with an educational psychologist coming up as part of the EHCP process. Our DS is 3.8, has asd (non-verbal) and is currently at pre-school. I was just wondering what the ed. psych. will do with DS at the meeting and what they are there to determine? Is it to try and gage his level of intelligence to determine a suitable school? If so, how will they get enough information in 45 mins?

I think I'm just worried as we know that DS is bright (this has also been said by ABA consultant, pediatrician and pre-school) but he is also non-verbal, so unless you spend more time with him, it can be difficult to work out what he can and can't do, and what he is truly capable of.

It's a legal part of the process, I'm guessing in 45 minutes it's basically info gathering/ strategies that work already and a fairly generic list of strategies in a report to be used in the EHC. As very brief observation, e.g. 'Vocalised for attention/ little eye contact/ played alone'. Mainly they will listen to you/ nursery and look at other reports to form there's. I wouldn't expect anything such as centiles, more stuff like 'benefits from visual reminders' style. I wouldn't be hugely surprised if ABA is skimmed entirely for the recommendations used given in your area, such as TEACH

Ed psych spent morning observing ds in preschool and did 1-1 assessments. Then we went and had a meeting with her to get parental opinion

At this stage it should be an observation in the setting, with him just doing what he normally does and the Ed psych watching. The Ed psych talking to the senco and his 1-1 or keyworker for their input and a conversation with you about his history (from birth) and to get a full picture of his needs.

I have found ours very good at seeing a whole picture. I would ask for an email contact, and if there is anything on the report you want to query, or discuss you can email them.

Hopefully the EHCP will be put in place and a more formal assessment is done by ed psych towards the end of year R. This assessment usually gives you centiles, non verbal IQ etc.