SALT input for Stat Assessment question

[notfromaroundhere]

Stat assessments are underway for DS1 (4.5 dx with ASD). I finally managed to speak to DS1's SALT today who told me she would be writing a report based on her previous visits and would not be assessing him specifically for the stat assessment. She observed him in preschool 6 weeks ago but whenever she or his Specialist Teacher go into preschool DS1 becomes ultra-passive (though he is very engaging with them at home visits) and spent the time she was there clinging on to a member of staff. She spent approx 10 minutes with him in November and the visit before that was June.

The SALT is going to speak with preschool as I told her since they had implemented her recommendations DS1 has become extremely disruptive and refusing to comply with anything there at all. but she was adamant there was no need to formally assess his Speech & Language as she had a good idea of where he was expressively though admitted receptively it was difficult to pitch what level he is on...

Am I expecting too much by wanting a more formal and recent assessment of DS1 to be done? I appreciate it doesn't give a true picture of his abilities as he is resistant to being tested but surely that in itself relevant to the level of support he will need?

Thanks. Slight progress she is coming with DS1's Specialist Teacher for a home-visit on the 11th March but as reports have to be in by the 16th I am not sure whether she is planning to doing any assessing as on the phone she said she would be doing her report this week. I suspect she may be coming to try and pacify me (I had left countless messages for her to call me back over the last few weeks). She didn't say where she thought it was and I didn't ask but I imagine she will say expressively he is near age-appropriate though it is anyone's guess where she will pitch his receptive. If she bothers to mention that at all .

SALT also told me primary school "will be the making of DS1". I countered it could well be the breaking of him if he can't cope with adult-led direction but apparently I must not say that as it could be said about anything. I pointed out the evidence for DS1 as it stands is that trying to get him to do adult-directed activities results in defiance and disruptive behaviour but the SALT is confident a new environment and a clean start will sort that. Wish I shared her confidence!

Bizarrely the Paediatrician appt we had today for the Stat Assessment which I assumed would be a waste of time was actually really good and the Paed had a good understanding of DS1 and said even though he had a wide range of vocabulary he struggles to use it effectively and has difficulties in understanding. So at least it will be noted somewhere.

I think you're right I should write a letter shouldn't I. Would it be cowardly to do it under the guise of "following our conversation of x date, for the sake of good order I write to confirm the following...". The paediatrician also told me that they have a seperate meeting (Paed, Specialist Teacher, SALT) to discuss DS1's statementing (though not including preschool nor me or DP) do you know if that is standard practice? I though the statementing panel was all LEA people so I assume it's not that?

Take your point over needing a thick skin just feeling a bit vulnerable today about it all. Happen to know the SALT was not telling the truth over when she got back from holiday and though only a little lie it makes me view her more cynically I suppose.

The Specialist Teacher is LEA not NHS and you only get either the ST or the Ed Psych at a meeting representing the LEA, never both together (this is what the Specialist Teacher told me). I shall double-check with preschool that they aren't invited then send a letter requesting a copy of the minutes. We've also got a Steam around the Child meeting on the 14th so it seems over-kill on meetings to me but hey ho that's their choice.

Meant to add thanks for your replies they've been really helpful.

Letter is done though I am waivering about what could be construed as sharp tone with regards to her decision not to assess him for the statement but the information she has from her previous visits. I think I'll re-read it in the morning and decide then.

We've actually be knocking around the system since DS1 was 2 so I've done the waste of time parenting course they recommend which causes much opening and shutting of mouths when they realise they are out of ways to shut me up suggestions.

DP did come to the TAC meeting last time but unfortunately we can't get a babysitter this time so I shall be going solo. I'm not to worried about it tbh though I doubt it shall achieve much.

Small update - DS1's Specialist Teacher went into his preschool yesterday and I had a chat with her beforehand. I mentioned that the SALT was not going to be doing a specific assessment (and a quick run-down of when she last saw him) and though she was professional about she was obviously unimpressed and was going to ring her. She also politely disagreed with the SALT's declaration that DS1 was "clever and minipulative and using defiant behaviour as a means of getting his own way". Certainly he wants his own way cos well he wants what he wants but also having difficulting understanding means he will try and spin things round to what he does understand. So hopefully the combination of the letter and the Specialist Teacher calling her will have the desired effect..