Private Ed psych assessment or wait for one via school?

[Iittlestpogo]

Hi everyone

Just wondering if anyone can share any thoughts on what I should do.

My DS is about to start year 5. He has been on the SEN register since end of year 2 ( after issues since year 1 which school just viewed as ‘deliberately naughty/ disruptive behaviour).

He is finally in the process of assessment for ADHD, at the initial assessment with the paediatrician she stated she felt diagnosis extremely likely and also then referred him for OT assessment, to CAMHs and wrote to school to ask them to refer him for an Ed psych assessment. Said she was shocked school hadn’t had anyone assess him already. Also suggested I strongly consider applying for EHCp.

School aren’t totally terrible but aren’t great and don’t seem to have any understanding of ADHD. As his behaviour has settled at low level disruptive they don’t seem to see him as a priority. By luck he has had a brilliant teacher the last 2 years who was very open to suggestions from me and has done her best to hold things together. She believes he needs more one to one support to access learning ( he is meeting age expectations but cannot access learning independently). He has an IEP but adjustments aren’t consistently applied. There seems little understanding/interest in school of what seem like executive functioning difficulties.

He is now on the school list for Ed psych assessment but not at the top - so school are saying maybe end of next term, but possibly spring term before he will be assessed.

I have managed to find an Ed psych who had had a cancellation and can now do a private assessment before half term.

I guess my question is is there any advantage ( beyond cost) of waiting for the Ed psych assessment via school? Does it hold any greater weight at all?

I can see the private assessment would obviously be quicker ( and I wonder if it might be more comprehensive?). She also represents at Tribunal should that be necessary. I’m very aware of high school looming.

Hope that sort of makes sense!

An LA ed psych may well give a good report, but won't be allowed to specify provision that costs any money, even if he needs it. Private will. Otherwise, they're the same. But in terms of securing what a child needs in a Tribunal, they are light and day. In fact several maintained schools in this area fund private reports for the kids in their school, on that exact basis.

Having said that, I'd prioritise a private Occupational Therapy assessment, personally. The ed psych stuff tends to be a lot woollier. OT and SLT are the meat and bones of both of my children's EHCP provision. Diagnoses don't found EHCPs, either - they are need-based - so recommendations for specific things from professionals do, and the OT and SLT reports in both my children's cases echo the state findings, and then set out provision, directly from a therapist, to meet it - that latter is not found in any state-funded report we've ever had.

If an expert report says something should happen, then the majority of the time, a Tribunal will order that, and the LA know it. That's the reason people need private reports, not the observations, which, again, are really similar. Of course they are, given the professionals are assessing the same child.

With my son, we went: diagnosis, ed psych, SLT, OT. With my daughter, we went: OT, SLT, ed psych, diagnosis. I think that speaks for itself really.

Happy to recommend some fantastic people we have used successfully, if that would help.

And as he's still primary aged, and your family earnings are under £45,000 (not including benefits) if you have ASD on your radar too - they are not uncommonly found together, and are in both my children's cases - you could look into Caudwell Children, who offer a free diagnostic service for families who fall into those criteria, funded by a charity. www.caudwellchildren.com/autism-assessment

Sorry, typo omission of an 'if' - that should read, and if your family earnings are under £45,000 - obviously, I have no idea of your personal circumstances.

If you apply for an EHCNA and the LA agree to assess an EP assessment will be part of that and must be carried out within the statutory timescales. You can request other assessments too, such as OT and SALT. Although, as sleep posted, independent reports are likely to be more detailed.

Thank you both that’s very helpful.

I am already getting a private OT assessment ( I had an OT carry out an observation of him in year 2 and she worked with him for a term - stopped because the school wouldn’t support the work in the class). The OT assessment is happening in late September.

I’m over 45 000 but thank you for the link as that might be helpful for another parent I know ( on ASD he was also referred by paediatrician back to CAMHs for ASD assessment - they refused as he wasn’t over the threshold in their initial screening which they’d done before referring him to the paediatrician. He definitely has some traits that would be described as ASD in his profile though!). OT works closely with an SLT so I can also get that piece if needed ( although I may be bankrupt by then!).

I have to admit I’ve sort of given up on primary other than getting him through it without total loss of self confidence/ anxiety ( a challenge she in itself!) . I want - to the best I can - to try and be in a better place for secondary.

@sleeponeday - any recommendations would be great - although everyone has such long wait lists at the moment. Many of the Ed psych I was recommended didn’t even have a wait list open as so many clients!

I should add I agree re diagnosis, although the school themselves are very hung up on the diagnosis. That is also in train at least. I do also have a report from year 2 which combined recommendations from the OT, his clinical psychologist and a learning and behaviour specialist so have evidence of long term need ( and it not being met!)

Thanks again - I’m a single parent so it’s extra helpful being able to get others views.

An LA ed psych may well give a good report, but won't be allowed to specify provision that costs any money, even if he needs it.

This is absolutely not true.

Have a look at a website called Parents in need as they have a list of professionals who write reports on there.

I would suggest you make a parental request for an EHC needs assessment.