EHCP and glue ear/ deafness

[Ineedtochangemynameagain]

Hello,

My DS(4) has a hearing loss caused by glue ear. He had grommets inserted in March and we had 8 weeks of glorious hearing. And it turns out that his glue is too sticky/ tenacious and they've stopped working (also one may have fallen out).

His hearing loss causes concentration fatigue, challenging behaviour (when people are noisy, he's frustrated or in pain, or noises are unexpected), he's also frequently absent as he has recurrent ear infections and tonsillitis.

Yesterday we met with the SENCO from the school he'll be starting in September and his nursery SENCO lead for a transition meeting. All they wanted to focus on was his "unacceptable" behaviour. I pulled the conversation back to his hearing loss, that all behaviour is communication, that he needs support to communicate his feelings (because he has a speech delay) and quite honestly it was like banging my head against the nearest brick wall.

They finally suggested some help with communication - makaton, a widget(?) some now/ next picture cards, but I'm really concerned. His needs aren't the highest, I get that, his hearing fluctuates, I get that too. But I don't know what I need to do? To get them to focus on his hearing/ communication needs not just his behaviour. It felt like they were already convinced that he chooses to play alone/ doesn't focus for a long time because of neurodivergence rather than being classic symptoms of glue ear/ concentration fatigue/ hearing loss. If he is neurodivergent that's fine, I have no issue with that, but there is a massive crossover with those symptoms of glue ear.

Apparently I need to apply for the EHCP as they won't do it till after Christmas, so today is going to be spent getting my head around that. They also mentioned DLA - is that the same as PIP?

I suppose my question is, where do I go from here? Is there somewhere to go for advice and guidance? Is this normal for a meeting with a SENCO (she spent half the time checking her watch and only after 20 minutes said "oh, is he deaf?")

Any and all help appreciated, this is a new road for me. Thanks in advance

If you have a specialist teaching service in your LA it is worth asking for their involvement.

IPSEA and SOSSEN have lots of helpful information on their websites, including a model letter you can use to request an EHCNA.

Sadly, I think you are going to have to be on the ball with the school. Some schools are quicker to focus on difficulties that result in disruption to the rest of the class rather than the cause or other difficulties - it is why parents of DC who mask at school sometimes struggle to get the school to listen.

Is DS going to have enhanced transition?

DLA is the child version of PIP. I agree, you should apply. The Cerebra guide is helpful when completing the form.

@Ineedtochangemynameagain

Just seen this post.
Deaf is anyone without full auditory access this can be bilateral or unilateral, mild moderate severe or profound.

It shouldn't matter that your child hearing fluctuates because when his glue ear is bad this will impact auditory access. Without consistent and full auditory access your child language access is impacted.
He will likely become frustrated, bored or angry when he can not access auditory information.
He will become fatigued from trying to decode Information with missing words and sounds. This is hard for those with fluent auditory language but so difficult for children who's brain is still making neural pathways with language.

Access to BSL is so beneficial in education and all deaf children should have the right to BSL.

Access to peers and deaf adults. See if there is any groups in your area. If you PM me a rough locality I may be able to signpost you to support in your area.