Should we really apply for ehcp?

[Hm2023]

So today I was at a secondary school event for my ds who y5 9 years old he’s awaiting asd assessment just been referred and excepted on to waiting list. He presents as extremely hard working and well behaved in school if a bit anxious. In reality he has lots of sensory issues, no social skills, extremely rigid thinking no real friends sounds like he has a great vocabulary but actually he just repeats things he reads in books but doesn’t really understand them. He cannot tie his shoe laces has never opened a cupboard or the fridge and won’t even get him self a drink despite encouragement any way the list could go on he cannot take certain lights and noises and requires ear defenders a lot and is extremely rule following to the point if a stranger asked him to do something he most likely would.

So today at this event I got speaking to Sen advocacy group for the borough I’m in and they’ve took my details and said they believe we should apply for ehcp and they will help and we don’t need school support but I’m not sure there is much of a point is there as he presents so well in school they will not support the only people who might help are the Camhs workers who assessed him for help in school and then convinced the school to send the asd assessment after years of me asking and meeting with Senco and being told no. anyone have any experience ehcp for a child doing well in school.

EHCPs take ages and he will be lost in the system at secondary if he doesn't have one (as most secondaries have so many pupils that they are hard pressed enough keeping up with the needs of the pupils with the EHCPs, let alone others). It sounds as if he is likely to qualify for DLA as well, if you get his diagnosis.
Applying for the EHCP is long-winded but straightforward - you fill in a lengthy form and post off as much evidence as you can gather about his needs and differences, then they say yay or nay to assessing. They then contact the school and an EP (and anyone else they think might need to weigh in - OT, SALT, an IT assessment to use a laptop for work etc) and after a very long time they tell you if you have it or not and you can comment on their draft EHCP to make sure it is actually fit for purpose/legally binding.

It does sound like you should request an EHCNA. EHCPs are about more than academics and your post describes other difficulties even if DS is doing OK academically at school. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use to request an EHCNA.

I second DLA too if you aren’t already claiming it. You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis before applying. The Cerebra guide is helpful when completing the form.

Be careful with SENDIASS. Some are good, but too many repeat the LA’s unlawful policies.