Educational Psychologist....what would she do????

[anniebear]

Hiya

We are going to be reffered to an Educational Psychologist, My Daughter Ellie is nearly 3, does anyone know what an EP does?

Thanks

We just had our first visit from an Ed Psych this week. Basically their role is to support your child and make sure they get their needs addressed in an educational setting. If your child needs a statement then the Ed Psych will put the formal assessment process in place in order for them to be statemented. The leaflet our EP left says this:

The aim of our service is to use our phsychological knowledge to support and promote the learning and development of children and young people so that they make the best possible progress in school.

The main aim or our work with children in the early years is to gain an understanding of their strengths and needs in order to identify the type of support they might need at school.

Our dd is only 22 months but I decided it wouldn't hurt to get the EP involved as early as possible. That way hopefully by the time she goes to school they will have a really clear idea of what she needs and will be able to help us make sure she gets the right support. They should also be able to help with any nursery placement and making sure she has support there.

I would say, if you have been offered a referrral, take it. I know of too many people who have ended up with their child in school before the statement has been sorted so they don't have the right support. The EP suggested to us that she would probably be involved with dd, observing and assessing her for about a year.

Hi
Good question my son has recently been refered as well although there is a 6 month waiting list were we are.
Sure somebody can tell us what they do.

Some more info from the leaflet (it was on the back - didn't see it!):

Throughout our involvement with your child we will gather information about all aspects of their history and development. To do this we will talk to you, talk to other professionals and observe and play with your child.

Starting in an early years setting i.e nursery, playgroup or pre-school
The EP has a role in making sure your child's move between different education settings is well planned and smooth. We will talk to you about the different education options available, take part in planning meetings, and make sure your child settles into their new setting.

We will also be involved in making sure that staff are well prepared to welcome your child. If necessary we will help to secure extra support for your child.

HTH

We had our first EP visit this week too. It was an informal visit arranged by the Early Years Inclusion Service so that the EP could meet ds1 before he starts school next month. It was informal because the general opinion is that ds1 won't need a Statement yet but that this may change in Yr1 when the learning becomes a little more formal.

The EP went briefly through ds1's history and asked what intervention he'd had so far. She also asked me what I thought his strengths and weaknesses would be at school, eg his weak areas will be things like fine-motor skills and a possible sensory overload in a noisy classroom whereas his strengths will be his love of routine, numeracy, literacy etc.

The EP will be involved in the statementing process if this is needed. This is designed so that children can get more help in nursery/pre-school/school etc.

Sorry, I should have said, Ellie is being referred because of her tantrums.

She already has her Statement and goes to a special needs School.

Do you know what she will do regarding this as opposed to helping with School?

Thanks

Sorry for misunderstanding - oh well, maybe those posts will be of use to someone else! Sorry, don't have any experience of an EP in that context. Assume she may try and analyse why Ellie is having tantrums as a step towards controlling them? don't know.

Thanks HITC

No need to to apologise, I should have been clearer

xx