SALT assessment - wasn't even aware DD had had one!

[sadnog]

Morning all, I just need to vent some sheer anger and also distress. I attended a meeting with DDs SENCO yesterday afternoon to finalise the application for statement of needs. During this meeting it came to light that DD had had a SALT assessment last June that neither I nor the SENCO were aware of!! The SENCO found out when she rang SALT to arrange an appointment as DD needed assesment for Statement. To date SENCO has still not received official report but just a summarisation. This is where I get distressed . Summary states that DD "does not know if she is male or female", "does not know when her birthday is", and has either general language delay or Global delay. OMFG I must be the worst mother in the world that my DD doesn't know when her own birthday is or that she is female!! I'm mortified and so ! When DP came home and asked how I got on I just opened the flood gates! I felt like such a failure as a mum (more so than usual). I also noticed on the statement application that several times the sentence "even if DD has 1to1 required we do not feel we can meet DDs needs at the school" Does this mean that LEA are likely to recommend she attend a special school? God, was hoping applying for statement would make me feel better about DDs education but seeing it all written down just makes me feel worse .
Sorry, long post, just needed to get it out.

Sorry, I should say that DD is 8.8yrs.

I don't think there's much I can say that will stop you feeling guilty - but really, you shouldn't. You sound to me like a very good mother who cares a great deal. I'm gobsmacked that she had a SALT assessment without you knowing - there are some fantastic people out there in the strange world of Children's Services, but also some complete incompetents who I don't think see the children they're dealing with as real people.

That Statement wording does sound like they're thinking of a Special school - but the school should have talked to you about it before you saw it in black and white. And you need to have the opportunity to visit the special schools in your area to get a sense of whether your DD would actually be happy and thrive there, before you agree to the Statement. An organisation called IPSEA will give you support and advice - talk things through with them.

Thanks Hassled. When DD saw Ed Pysch, she briefly spoke about Special school but I voiced my opinion that I wanted to try my best to keep her in mainstream, however after seeing everything plainly written in black and white yesterday, I really am worried that she will just not progress in mainstream and I am so scared she will be picked on and bullied at secondary school. Her reading, literacy and numeracy levels are that of 5.5yrs. At the end of the day I want to do what will best for DD but the thought of moving her to a new school fills me with dread.

Go and see the potential schools, and talk to the existing school re why exactly they can't meet her needs with 1-1. They have collectively treated you appallingly.

Something else I noticed on SALT summary was the term "unusual gait". Does anybody know what this means?

Hassled, do you think I should take DD with me to view the schools or view them by myself and take DD if/when it is certain she will be going?

sorry this has been handled so badly in such an upsetting way. I think with kids with receptive language problems so much can hinge on how they word the questions - so they may not have said a straightforward - "are you a boy or a girl", they may have said something else iyswim. Remember as well SALT assessments tend to focus on what your child can't do, rather than what they can. So they may well not have done the usual parent stuff we do - gestures/visuals/rewording etc to talk about stuff.

Unusual gait - I would take that to mean they think she's walking a bit funny.

TotalChaos is absolutely right - these reports are written to explain what's wrong, and seldom mention what's right. I would go on your own first - then at least you'll be able to sell the idea to your DD a bit before she sees it. I'm so sorry you're in this position.

Pre-school, the SALTs put a fair bit of pressure on me to send my DS3 to a special school with a SALT unit. I visited it, and it was a nice, cosy place but I resisted because it woudl have involved sending an only just 4 year old off in a taxi each day (I don't drive, DH works away most weeks), and so I insisted he went to mainstream. He's now in Year 2 and doing really well - all his needs are met by his 1-1 and his speech is at least intelligible, if not "normal". And he's part of the local community, which is important. I'm so glad I dismissed professional opinion at the time (it was a huge gamble) - but you really need to know what all your options are.

Thanks TotalChaos. Yes, when I looked on the internet I thought it was something to do with her movement but why would SALT pick up on that? None of the other professionals that have seen her have mentioned anything about her movement. Apparently her gross motor skills are fine but she does have some difficulty with her fine motor skills. Why can't these people put things in simple language that us parents can understand?! It's the same with all these %iles, they just go straight over my head. DDs CELF assessment put her in 1 & 2 %ile? I assume this is bad?
God I feel so bloody useless?

Please go and see the potential schools. I would not take your daughter with you at this stage. You may find it will really put your mind at rest and you will be able to see if she would fit in.

We have been to a lot of special schools trying to find a suitable place for my daughter, even have a look outside of your LEA and at non-maintained or private schools.

Hassled, this is the dilemma I have at the moment. Nearest special school would mean sending DD in a taxi or on minibus, don't know how DD would feel about this. If i take her myself would have to find someone to take DS to school for me. Also, should I insist she stays at her current school for another year to see whether she does make progress after statement (assuming she gets one of course), at the risk that she may not progress enough and end up having to move schools anyway after struggling for another year (does that make any sense at all!!! my heads all over the place). There just seems so much to think about I reckon my heads going to explode shortly! Maybe I'm getting myself all worked up too soon, perhaps I should just wait and see what statement says, but I want to be prepared (god, I'm just rambling now.....)

Percentile scores indicate how your child compares to 100 peers. A score of 1 or 2 means that 99 or 98 children of her age would score higher.

My daughter also has an unusal gait, just a slightly stiffer, more clumsy way of walking in her case.

Sorry you have had to deal with this. It sounds like somebody has made a big mistake - no child should be assessed without their parents at least knowing about it and personally, I try to make sure that I actually attend assessments. That is especially true with SALTS who don't have a great track record round here.

With regard to the gait being picked up by the SALT, I would agree it isn't really within her remit unless she is seeing it as an indication of other motor skills. She might be thinking that it would be worth further investigation if she thinks your DD might have verbal dyspraxia which might be part of more general dyspraxia. It does seem a bit odd though.

It does seem horrible to see all your child's difficulties written down in black and white but do remember that it doesn't mention all the lovely things about her and all the things she can do well. If it helps perhaps you could do that for yourself (I did it once for a paeds appointment for my DS). Also remember that they may paint a particularly black picture because they are trying to ensure you really do get the statment and the help you need. It doesn't mean you are a bad parent. I bet you do a fantastic job.

Sorry to keep going on, It just all seems to be gushing out now! A phrase on the application for statement really hit home last night:- "we are now concerned for DDs emotional well being." What do they mean by that? Is she unhappy at school? Is she emotionally unstable? Most days she is perfectly happy to go to school but I can always tell if she's had a bad day when I pick her up. She'll come out with her head down, dragging her bag and tell me she's tired. Teachers are always telling me she's tired in school, yet she has a fantastic bedtime routine and she very rarely wakes in the night.
I guess it must just be the strain of coping at school, could this effect her emotional well being? Sorry, rambling again, reckon it's me that's the emotional wreck

It is much better if part 2 of the statement is very descriptive about all of a child's difficulties because part 3 then has to specify the resources to help and should cover everything. It does make horrible reading.

Thanks for your last comment Niecie. I really do try to do my best although it's not always easy with DD as she has behavioural problems at home too. I'd like to think I'm doing a good job but I can't help but get those days where I feel I'm letting her down. I guess every parent must get those days though, not just those with SN kids.

It may be a bit of a standard phrase that they use. Children with additional needs can find school much more tiring just from the concentration they use. My daughter will often say 'I'm tired' as an excuse to avoid things though.

You're not wrong there vjg13, reading it certainly hit home just how much DD is struggling and I really feel for her. I just wish there was more I could do to help her.

Quick question: Can I name another mainstream school on DD statement even if they recommend special school? Just wondering as I would like to keep my options open and there is one particular MS school in my area that I know has excellent SN provision. I tried to get both DD and DS in this school when I moved here 4 years ago but no places were available. It's a small village school which I believe would suit DD very well, if of course they would take her?

Yes, I think you can name another Mainstream school. Talk to the people at Ipsea - they will give you impartial advice. Good luck.

Hi thanks for all the good advice everyone. I have made an appointment to view the nearest special school to us on Thursday morning. They have warned me however that they have no places available at present but I was prepared that DD would probably have to wait. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks again

the centile results should be useful ammunition in getting a statement/more SALT for her. As others have said, speak to IPSEA, they have an excellent reputation in helping parents help get statements for their kids. As far as I know, you have the right to insist on a mainstream placement for your DD - but again check that out with ipsea.