Did you start EHCP process in preschool years?

[according]

If so, would you mind briefly telling me what it was like please?

DS3 has recent diagnosis of autism, and obviously before he starts primary in Sept 2020 we will go through the EHCP process.

I'd be really grateful to hear anyone's experiences, good or bad, any big hurdles or words of warning / advice.

Thanks in advance.

We submitted our application this time last year. Ds was diagnosed in Dec 17 and he started school last September with everything in place. I would do it as soon as possible. The process was straightforward for us but it isn’t always as many posters on these boards can attest.

Thank you.

Yes I agree with open get it started as soon as you can. It has been brilliant having it in place before starting school. I think we got our application in just after Christmas and had it finished by June.

We got refused first time but managed to get it sorted without going to appeal. Otherwise we had a fairly easy time of it too. Make sure when you get to draft stage that you get someone to check it over for you. Our local SENDIASS team were very helpful and supportive.

First applied EHCP September 16 (year before DS was due to start school) - Council refused to assess 'he might catch up' I didn't bother challenging as the refusal letter confirmed funding for some 1:1 support in nursery and I had agreement to delay his school start (Summer birthday) til September 18.

2nd application September 17 - another refusal to assess. I appealled to SEND Tribunal and the day before the deadline for the council to submit evidence they agreed to assess. Plan was issued in draft in April and finalised in May - it included additional transitional visits to school in the Summer term so I'm v glad it was in place by then and it helped the school having funding confirmed for the 1:1.

Watching with interest. My son is four in May but I’ve deferred his school start to 2020. No diagnosis yet, but autism is fairly likely. On the waiting list for a multidisciplinary assessment. If he does get a diagnosis then we’ll definitely work towards getting the EHCP in place before starting school.

Haworthia you do not need a diagnosis to get an EHCP as it’s based on need - my son is not diagnosed but I had evidence of SN from Ed Psych, OT and nursery reports.

That’s good to know, thanks. We have a One Plan meeting (er, whatever that is) with preschool and area SENCO this week so I’ll hopefully be more clued up about the whole process afterwards.

We didn’t have a diagnosis either when we started the EHCP assessment. We were getting quite tight for time as we applied early last year and DS was due to start last September. Luckily the LA agreed a deferral. DS received his diagnosis during the process and the EHCP was finalised at the start of Sept 2018.

EHCP went through without issue and having the extra year has been great as it has given us time to consider and choose a school for DS. EHCP’s open up the possibility of specialist provision and a wider range of mainstream schools. In my area you can look round specialist provision, if that is what you want to consider, once the assessment is underway. Our LA sent out the form requesting choice of school (primary transfer) Oct 2018 for Sept 2019 start. It can feel like it is a long way off, but the deadlines come round quickly. I would recommend applying for the EHCP as soon as you can.

Haworthia - I agree with Dimples. Don't wait until you have a diagnosis. The EHCP process can be done alongside the wait.
The whole process takes a lot longer than the 'headline' 20 weeks they have to asses - the clock only starts ticking after most of the work has taken place.
If you can have it in place before you apply for your Reception place, then it opens up a greater choice of provision too.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it. I'm going to read through and digest all of the information properly but in the mean time I absolutely agree with not waiting for a diagnosis before kicking the process off.

I’ll definitely mention starting the EHCP process at the meeting then. We have 18 months, which is a relief!

Following with interest. DS (3.5) is currently needing 1:1 a lot at preschool (otherwise he tries to wander off, he is obsessed with stickers and tries to take the displays down etc.) to engage with the resources and he struggles with social communication with other children. We are now pursuing an EHA with a view to obtaining a EHCP (as I understand it anyway). I highly suspect he's asd/autistic in some ways (very routine led, picky with foods, very persistent, not really any sense of danger) but in other ways he's so caring and funny and kind. I think he's more verbal and less prone to meltdowns at home as we have his routines in place and it's a quieter atmosphere etc. He was quite late to talk but talks in sentences now at home. He does get obsessed with things (Peppa, trains, stickers) and he has some sensory struggles. I just wondered what happens to the asd assessment if he gets the EHCP? The GP is quite cautious about a pead referral yet and just wants to go down the same EHA route as the preschool. He's due to start reception in September. Apparently with 1:1 support he is much better in terms of attention and focus, but I just worry that he'll be labelled as 'naughty' when in fact it's just that he struggles with impulse control and understands the world differently!

@MaGratgarlik1983 Your DS sounds like mine. Although everyone is different and I am far from an expert, please push for a paed referral if you and / or his preschool feel he needs one. The wait is long and his long term outcomes will be so much better with early intervention if he does need it.

Thanks again to everyone for their advice.

I am in the process of arranging visits to specialist units (attached to mainstream schools) and alongside this DS' SENDCo (who is my rock!) is starting the EHCP process.

Please, anyone else going through this or about to, jump on this thread for support.

(I meant support for everyone, not just me )

@MaGratgarlik1983 - you’ve described quite a few similarities with my son too. Confused as to why your GP is reluctant to refer? I’ve never spoken to our GP about my son’s issues - the ball started rolling after he flunked his two year check. By 2.5 we’d seen a speech therapist and it was them who sent the paed referral. Ironically it was “for your peace of mind” because she could see how anxious I was about autism, but she didn’t think he had too many red flags. And that’s the funny thing about DS, he doesn’t set off any blaring “autism” klaxons (the kind you read about on checklists) but he’s noticeably different and autism is the obvious cause 🤷‍♀️

Thanks @according I’ll come back tomorrow after our meeting with the SENCO.

My DS also lacked some of the key autism red flags. In fact he came out of the M-Chat with a score of 1 (low risk), but according to the DSM-5 criteria, he ticks every single box for ASD.