Is private OT really required?

[coffeeNpie]

Our DS, 6 years old, is at a special school with EHCP in place. He gets OT and SALT at school. He started at this school in September.

My husband and I want to provide additional support to our DS at home and we are looking at private OT sessions. I got in touch with an OT who is happy to see him in school and suggested setting up a programme with the school staff.

The thing is I am confused if we should go ahead with private OT. Is it too early for us to think his OT support at school is not enough? Shall we give the school a bit more time?

I also feel if our private therapist goes to the school, the OT there might take a back seat and expect the private therapist to do the work.

Can anyone please advise?

If you don’t feel the current support is sufficient to meet DS’s needs I would focus on improving his EHCP so that it does provide all the provision necessary, via appealing and independent reports if necessary.

We went to tribunal for his EHCP and have done independent reports as well.

It might sound silly but I don't exactly understand how much is sufficient if you know what I mean?

EHCP got implemented in September only and the OT at school seems cooperative and respond quickly.

I want my ds to make progress but then they say it depends on the child. Each one is different. What if the OT support he gets at school is not good enough? Is there a way I can figure this out?

As DS has only had the provision for a term I think it is too early to judge whether it is sufficient, especially when DS has also had to settle into school simultaneously.

What if the OT support he gets at school is not good enough?

Then you would want a reassessment and to amend the EHCP. An independent report would tell you what was needed, did the one you had for Tribunal not do that?

Thank you @JustKeepBuilding

The independent report stated the below:

He will require at least 6 hours of direct sessions per term with the Occupational Therapist of at least an hour in order to address the difficulties identified within this assessment (18 hours direct per annum). Initially these sessions should be for 30 minutes.

When I first read this in the OT report, I felt it wasn't enough and I asked the therapist. She said it's fine.

How should I check this is enough for my DS? Or should I just believe what is recommended as it's coming from a qualified therapist?

I don’t think you should just accept it because it comes from a therapist, but I think you should give it some time before making a judgement. It’s still early days.

@JustKeepBuilding thanks.

While I give it a bit more time, could you please give me tips on how to best use the OT at school?

The school staff and OT feels DS has potential to learn. I get to hear this a lot of times that 'when he wants to do a certain task, he can and he will'

Even the SALT said that DS has words and would only use them when he wants to.

I sometimes don't fully get this. How can I make the staff and the therapists do more work with him? Would it be too much if I keep emailing them?

DS attended an independent special school for a year. We left it all on them and they didn't do much.

How can I make the staff and the therapists do more work with him? Would it be too much if I keep emailing them?

You do this by making sure the EHCP is watertight and then enforcing it if it isn’t provided. It’s not unreasonable to keep in contact via email. You could ask them about things you can do with DS at home &/or discuss any specific concerns you have.