School disagree with applying for EHCP

[AHmum]

My son has a SEN (Dyspraxia and SPD) diagnosis. School claim he manages well with the support/intervention in place (ISP in place). However he is always upset about going to school and often has emotional outbursts at home, especially after school. Anxiety about school is a huge problem. He is also unable to access sensory therapy despite SPD diagnosis due to it not being available in our area (but it is in the next town where he was given the diagnosis through NHS). I have asked school to apply for an EHCP and they say he wouldn't meet the referral threshold. Is it worth applying myself? Can I apply on the grounds that he doesn't manage at home because of school (possibly masking)? Can I apply to obtain sensory services that are otherwise unavailable to him? Any advice would be welcome.

It is always worth applying yourself. You have nothing to lose.

Sensory OT assessment and provision can be part of an EHCNA and EHCP respectively.

Masking demonstrates there are unmet needs at school, so should be taken in to consideration in assessments. In practice it can be harder to get the LA to agree to assess and issue when pupils mask, but it is possible to get an EHCP.

Clearly your son in not "managing well" despite what the school says.

Absolutely apply yourself citing the problems you have actually getting him to school. (are we talking borderline school refusal here?), the meltdowns you get after school and the unmet sensory needs.

Use the IPSEA model letter:
www.ipsea.org.uk/asking-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

Thank you for your advice.

He isn't actually refusing to go, but continuesly saying he doesn't want to go and getting upset about having to go. Then when we actually leave the house it's like a wall comes up because he knows he's got to go.

So his stress levels are sky high before he even gets to school because they aren't meeting his needs.

And because he's masking, they can't see it.

How old is he?

7 years old. This has been a problem for nearly two years now

So ever since he started school?

Your poor little boy. Make that application before it gets any worse. He needs the support for his SPD which he is not getting at the moment.

He wasn't too bad in nursery and reception, although he would rather have stayed at home. It all started when he moved into ks1 and real school began, no more learning through play like in early years.

Thank you for your advice and support

Yes yes yes, apply yourself 10000% the school told me for years my son was fine and was just anxiety and well, he deteriorated massively and now he has a diagnosis and refusing to go to school for over a year now. I applied for an EHCP as the school told me he wouldn't qualify for one and they have accepted to assess, just like that! They weren't happy but tou have to do everything yourself now a days as some schools just aren't equipped or ha e the time to help. Good luck cxxx

Yes, apply yourself, it is totally worth it. You know your child best, trust yourself and fight for it good luck

How are things @AHmum
Your op could have been written by me, I came on to look for advice as we are in almost exactly the same situation. My ds is 8 and only recently diagnosed with asd. He really struggles so much with the intensity of school and he absolutely masks completely there.
When I asked about a needs assessment the senco said quite bluntly that he's fine at school 🤦🏻‍♀️
He is really not OK there he cries and begs not to go and when he comes home he's on the edge of despair and takes a long time to calm down, and then he's zoned out for the rest of the evening.
I just don't know what to do.

Yes, do it, the same happened to me. I got the EHCP by doing it myself. Not easy but you are more in control than if the school do it.

@TheVolturi it is interesting to see how similar our situations are and unfortunately from what I can gather we're far from alone.

I have booked myself on a zoom meeting about EHCPs so that I can understand the process better hopefully. I have also spoken to the consultants secretary and they have agreed to provide any support/evidence they can from their perspective. I haven't actually started the process yet but I have SENCO and parents evening meetings (online) in a couple of weeks so I think I might raise it again then and tell them that I am thinking of applying myself, at least I've notified them then.

Please let me know what you decide to do and how you get on.