Do I write back to the EP??

[debs40]

The EP did a rubbish and rather pointless consultation based on an observation a month ago. A few recommendations were made e.g. whole school sensory training.

Since then, DS has had a dx and a recommendation for a SA in the diagnostic report.

I was going to write back to the EP and highlight the obvious problems with observing rather than assessing DS - there have been no adequate assessments done to date and dx team say his signifcant sensory/communication issues are being masked by his quiet/passive demeanour. EXACTLY!

Now, I am going to apply for an SA this week. Do I also write to the EP asking questions about the recommendations e.g. who is going to undertake the sensory training and what form it will take (e.g. another load of generic strategies or targetted help?) and point out her failure to assess or leave it for my SA?

Debs I would leave it for the SA as if they agree to assess I believe they need to obtain an updated EP report.

Agree with fighting. Do you want to write because you are either a)annoyed at her incompetence b)you really do need the information she will provide in order to go forward.

If it is a) then leave it for now. You have a private one on the horizon and you need to control your evidence. The SA should get them out of their huts again soon enough.

However, I would ask for clarification as to how the recommendations are going to be carried out. The response to that will be good evidence for later at worst, but at best get the provision going (I assume nothing has happened yet!?). Also, training isn't the same things as outcomes. You could point that out. Trained staff are pointless unless they will be implementing their training with objectives for your ds. You can talk about that too.

I do think you need to challenge the 'provision' side of things because otherwise you'll get stuck with them saying 'we went in, and made recommendations' 'we trained staff' 'the school is now adequate' etc etc. It's all irrelevant unless it is done in a timely way and actually impacts your ds.

Can you ask for the recommendations to be rewritten from your 'ds' perpective? i.e. ds needs to be supported daily from a sensory trained TA from sept or some such!?

sorry, I meant 'receive 15mins of direct 1:1 support from a sensory trained TA'. Needs a pass to access the 'quiet room'

Those kinds of things.

We have recently discovered that SA does not mean the Ed Psych has to do any specific assessments though. To my surprise our SEN Officer said that was entirely at her discretion - she has to fill in a detailed report though along set guidelines.

Ours as far as I am aware has used her observation (one occasion) and other reports I supplied to her. She also met with me to get our views and background information.
It was not at all what I was expecting but she was broadly supportive so we will wait and see.

In our case the particular Ed Psych assessments will have to be done, I think, when gathering diagnosis information.
I am just slightly curious how they will be able to specify provision, but we shall see.

I think the fight in me has deflated a bit, but I take the view we can argue this at a later stage if there is no statement or it is inadequate.

Thanks guys. Good advice.

I think I will just ask for clarification of the recommendations and the notes I had made on this already identified the absence of DS' perspective on any of it.

The point you make about the difference between training and outcomes is a very good one Star!

Thanks, I was rambling quite a bit so glad you got the point

You ramble?? NEVER!

I think you have a very sharp way of putting what we know to be true!

Thanks debs. My legal person told me to write some parent evidence/case statement and to make it concise, about 3-4 pages long. I wrote 21 pages but she said she couldn't find anything irrelevant to take out to make it any shorter so I'm very proud of it.

Depending on how it goes I think I might like to help parents write theirs in the future, although it did take me forever. I know for certain that no legal person would have spent the amount of time and attention to detail that I have (no offense meant btw).

It's really helpful to have MN to test out strategies though isn't it, or ask questions in preparations for meeting etc. and to pick sus up when we feel beaten down by 'wool'!

Definitely. This game is all about the 'real world' practice and not the text book theory. Sadly, that means double checking everything anyone says and watching your every move. What a way to live!

You'd be great at helping other parents - it's what you do already!

Star I'd use your advice as well! Can you attend tribunals as an expert witness too?

Thanks debs and fighting.

Meant to ask debs how you were feeling this week. It looks to me like you're mostly over that particular hurdle and back up again fighting but I know it affected me for ages, even when I had my fight back.

Thanks Star. Ok really, too much other stuff to think of! I suppose it was a kind of relief but then again, I've also started to doubt things - can he really be a little Aspie? Oh well....it is what it is!

I am a very practical person though. I was brought up with a profoundly disabled brother and parents who died before I was 30.
I don't say this for sympathy, honestly, it's just that life has never really turned out in a very usual way for me (does it for anyone?)and I kind of roll with the punches a bit now. If I can focus on doing something practical then I'm ok.

I'm helping set up a NAS branch here and I've started a local support group. I've also just become a governor - last laugh there

When I run out of ideas for organising stuff that it'll hit me - or when I hit the brick wall of the stat assessment process.....!

PS - thanks for asking!!!!