SENCO intervention at school

[tuppence17]

My ds is 4 (late july birthday) and started reception in September. He had his first proper parents evening this week, where we were told that the SENCO would be monitoring him and working with him over the next few weeks. The reasons the teacher gave were that he had been quite withdrawn in class that week and had been absorbed in doing one thing. As we weren't given any prior warning about this, we hadn't really prepared any questions to ask. So, after half term we are going to get an appointment to see his SENCO to ask about what they think his issues are, what the intervention will mean etc. Has anyone been in a similar situation who could advise the best questions to ask.

The intervention has also brought to the fore a couple of 'niggles' about his development: speech not great (stammer and inability to hold a conversation beyond 2 sentences) sometimes sensitive to loud noises, sometimes not aware of who's around him, not a huge fan of swings, fairground rides, sometimes not good eye contact, sometimes hard to get his attention. However, he's got good motor skills (early walker, loves to draw, can write his name and some basic words), he's sociable, loves a cuddle and seems happy at school. As I'm aware that he is showing some of the symptoms of ASD, do you think at this stage I should be seeking a diagnosis via his GP or wait to see what the SENCO says after she has had time to assess him properly. Any advice, gratefully received

I personally think it is better to visit the GP and ask for a referral to a developmental paediatrician.

The reason I say this is that DD1 was observed at pre-school, and described as 'immature'. They weren't going to do anything, just watch and give some 1:1.

But she fell over for no reason, so I took her to the doctor - as a result we discovered that she has a brain malformation and epilepsy.

I am not saying that is the case for your DS!!, but that you could wait ages for progress, because their system is so slow. At least going via NHS will get you seen.

If you can see the Senco shortly after half-term, then I think no harm in waiting to see what she says, as school concerns will bolster the case for a referral via GP anyway. But I wouldn't hang on more than a week or two for school opinion, as frankly it's only going to be a paed and or ed psych and or speech therapist who has the skills to assess him properly, there's a limit to what teachers can do, as they aren't medically trained to diagnose etc.

btw you might also want to consider asking for a speech therapy referral.

Thanks for your help. He was seeing a speech therapist for his stammer last year, but she (with our approval) signed him off as his stammer was getting a lot better. However, she said we could always get back in touch if we felt he needed it. So am going to give her a call tomorrow and see if I can have a chat to my GP too