I had a meeting with SA:LT today.

[aefondkiss]

She was here for an hour to discuss the multi-disciplinary team meeting, that has been arranged for next week, she showed me reports on DS from herself, early years support teacher, ed psych, school, paed consultant,... she wanted to discuss what we are going to agree to focus on in the next 6 months.

she also talked lots about my ds, how he is getting on at nursery, what we think needs to be done to help him and us, generally, dla, and respite...

when I talked about waiting on the appointment for the clinical psychologist, and about getting some kind of dx, she said we had to decide if we wanted to get a diagnosis, that some parents choose not to seek dx... why?

I don't know if I will ever be emotionally in the right place for a diagnosis, my dh is not very keen, but I think if they are treating ds as having ASD, then what harm could a dx do?

small moan, I mentioned[to SALT} the nursery teacher had asked me, this morning, to consider ds attending 5 sessions instead of 3... salt was surprised at this because she had meeting last week about ds and the head teacher had said my ds was absolutely going to be going 5 sessions - why would he say that without discussing it with me?

Personally i'd go for a dx if you can get one.as it gives you access to more support.

I agree with dustystar. Whilst it seems the set up where you are is quite good, in that a reasonable amount of support is available without a DX, still best to get the DX as well to be sure. And with the DX there are courses run by NAS you might want to go on.

Hi, You sound a bit like me - pre dx in that I wanted a dx to get help but did not really want to face to the reality of a real disorder. I know it is a cliche as worn out as the 'Einstein was late talking' line but ASD is not the equivalent of a death sentence. My brother has undiagnosed high level ASD - even my mum admits that he is 'probably autistic' which is quite a big admission for her to make. When he was a teenager, she used to compare him all the time to a neighbour's son who was outgoing and socially sucessful and wonder what would become of him. But fast forwarding through the years, my brother has a degree, is gainfully employed and has a happy family life whereas the neighbour's son has been through 2 marriages, has a daughter he never sees and has had a nervous breakdown. I can't predict if my DS or yours will end up as high on the spectrum as my brother ( and i don't want to minimise the social and emotional difficulties he had) but you don't know the future for your DS any more without a dx than you do with one

Hope this makes sense.

thanks for the responses, dh even thinks going for an assessment is a good idea, for a dx, which seems quite amazing to me, up until recently he has been very much in denial about ds's problems.

I still wonder why anyone would not get a dx? the SALT said ds will get ALL the support he needs irrespective of dx, is there any reason why she wouldn't want us to get a dx?

moira it is always good to read anything positive about sn!

has anyone looked at bibic?

I got a booklet the other day and wondered if it is a route worth considering?

should I be applying for a statement? ds won't start ms school until Aug 2009

Hi.
I'm a salt.
Some people want a diagnosis, others don't. Some like a label,others don't.
A lot of SN can however not be described under a label.

A statement is the only legally binding piece of legislation you can get that will safeguard your child's rights to additional support (whatever anyone tells you about crap like School Action and School Action Plus) but local authorities are issuing fewer and fwer because....they are legally binding!

What a surprise eh?

If i were you I would pay a visit to yuor local Parent Partnership/Special Needs Advisory Project (SNAP) asap.All Education Authorities have them so ask about yours.

They are invaluable at providing you with impartial info. (which nonone else,however well meaning) will do.

so true moondog about impartial info!

it seems like such a basic thing too...

I have looked for parent partnership/SNAP but have not found anything in Scotland, where I am, not sure that the area just doesn't merit one?

the early years support teacher is supposedly going to be talking to me about something support wise, where parents have meet ups, so maybe I will get help/advice there? she is lovely so I am hopeful.....

Hmm,doubt that very much.It is the law to have one!
Get a look at the Special Educationa Needs Code of Practice too. Ring your local Ed. dept and ask for a copy and also ask about SNAP.
Unfortunately,it is always better to be forewarned and prepared. I speak form a personal as well as a professional perspective.

Great idea about parent support group.I am lobbying hard for one in my area.The numpties in charge don't seem to relaize that if they did so,they would reduce the pressure on their own over-stretched srvice!

thanks Moondog, I am seeing them all on monday (dread) for multi disciplinary meeting so will ask then and see what they have to say about SNAP.

I will phone education dept for SEN code of practice, I would never have thought of that!

I so want to be forewarned, prepared, and less emotional!

Good luck
I know how stressful it all is.
Write your questions and comments down before the meeting and go through them crossing them off.
Photocopy it and hand it around.
Remember that they are there to serve you.