What is statementing, portage, etc, (apart from a nightmare)

[mamadadawahwah]

Not that i dont have enough to worry about i am learning about statementing etc. But would really like to know from someone who has been through it, what it all means. When is a statement made, before playschool? or in order to get services?

What is portage????

I have a ds of two with speech delay. He has been for an initial 40 minute assessment with SLT and is now on a list for speech therapy. When should i start worrying about statementing? He will be going to playschool next year or maybe a nursery.

arrrgh double arrghh

Portage is great. Our portage worker visits once a fortnight and brings us information, advice, toys etc to help ds2 with his problems. She works closely with the Early Years Inclusion Service too. Portage was also a huge help to us with ds1. Our portage worker helped liase between all the professionals in charge of ds1's care as well as helping us out at home.

you as a parent can ask for a statement, i dunno what the earliest age is, but i do know that we started the process for our DS at 2 years 6 months,statement was in place for his third birthday which meant he could access specialist education, he went to a ASD nursery, he is nearly 8 now and has been at mainstream since he was five, if things dont work out for him in mainstream then he can move to specialist school without too much difficulty, i think a statement is a good idea and the earlier the better i know too many people who cant get a statement so cant get a place at special needs schools, portage workers come and spend time working with your child at home, they can be useful in giving reports for statementing