Educational psychology assessment

[saltedcaramelmuffin]

DS (9) was diagnosed with ASD earlier this year.

School aren’t being particularly helpful, I suspect because he is generally fine at school behaviourally, does well academically, and doesn’t cause any problems. At home we get occasional meltdowns, and a lot of “I don’t want to go to school”. He finds English and RE particularly difficult, and there are always certain days he doesn’t like to go to school because of the lessons he has on those days.

I have pushed School for an Ed Psych referral (because it was mentioned in the final report from the paediatrician), and the head has given me a form to complete. Which is great, but I don’t know how to answer the questions, particularly the bits about “what would you like to gain from EP involvement” and “how would you know the situation had improved”?

It doesn’t help that I’m not entirely sure what an educational psychologist does, or can offer!

Can anyone give any pointers of how to fill in the form?

Thanks!

Hi, I can try to give you information based on my experience. Education psychologist will should assess your child in the classroom and have a chat with them, asking various questions on friendships/ home/ school life/ class work. Below link gives a bit more information:

www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/special-educational-needs/help/educational-psychologist-assessment

In terms of what you would like to gain I would write things like:
-would like to see if there are any underlying learning needs with my child
-What the EP to be able to give suggestions to the school as to what would help my child (point out any issues already identified through diagnosis such as sensory processing/ anxiety/ processing information
-want EP involvement to help my child overcome existing barriers to learning so they can reach their potential
-Paediatrician has suggested it based on their professional opinion due to ASD diagnosis

How would you know situation had improved? Well from the school following the asses, plan, do and review cycle and your child’s happiness at school.

I’m not sure of your situation but things we found important:
-copy of SEN report
-meeting with SENCo to make reasonable adjustments, if they are struggling with English and RE may need one to one support (don’t need ECHP for support in some lessons)
-quite place for lunch
-time out card for sensory break or if overwhelmed
-whole staff awareness
-access arrangements for exams (she’s in year 11)
-staff making sure homework was understood

It took several meetings, follow up via email, talking to EP ourselves and getting SENDIASS involved to get the above. We kept a log of issues and problems at school (such as headaches during school time-yes ASD kids mask but problems exist and manifest at school, anxiety during school-she would complain of heartbeating fast). We kept encouraging her to let a member of staff she was confident know so we could back it up- we had the whole we can’t see the problems at school even though she was geting headaches daily, getting panicked and stressed at school, switching off and becoming passive. If you haven’t already you could consider applying for a ehcp yourslef (which forces the school to start acting based on my experience and those I have come across). Hope that helps somewhat. Appendix if I’m repeating things you know but IPSEA, National Autistic Society, Special Needs Jungle, SOSSEN we’re all invaluable to us as they have us the information and relevant law to get things started. Good luck

Meant apologies not Appendix
Oops

That's really helpful Rose, thanks very much

Have completed the form now and it's back with school to fill in their bit. I wrote a lot in the parent bit