Slow Processing

[thismummydrinksgin]

Hi,

Looking for some advice, during a speech therapy appointment it was suggested that my child had slow processing speed. I've raised it with school who said that they would test to see if she needed extra time in exams.

I don't know how to proceed to get the help needed and an official diagnosis ?

Help in school is based on needs, not diagnosis, so the school should be supporting DC now. It sounds like they are, at least in part, doing that if they are going to assess for exam access arrangements. Are they providing any other support?

A diagnosis of what? Slow processing isn’t a medical diagnosis in and of itself. It can be part of many conditions, such as dyslexia, DCD, autism, ADHD…

Why was DC having a SALT appointment? Has DC ever had an ed psych assessment?

Thank you! You have really helped there.

She was with SALT as she has a lateral lisp, but I am waiting for autism assessment and this is with paediatric panel in my area, so from what you have said it could be part of that.

She is very high functioning and high masking - uses her systems to cope. However the transition to secondary school was not easy and lots of anxiety. Hence my request to have her assessed, when at SALT (as therapist knew she was waiting for autism assessment) she did a full communication assessment. No concerns with communication - all normal but the slow processing was flagged up (and makes complete sense.

She hasn't been seen by an ED psych, how do I get her seen by one? She causes no trouble at school and is doing well but I am convinced I have autism and want her to understand her self and get support in a way I didn't. She also asks sometimes why she is 'like this' when her friends aren't .
Thanks so much for your help

Also yes school are supporting to a certain extent.

Yes, slow processing can definitely be a part of autism for some people.

You could ask the school about an ed psych assessment, but in the current climate an ed psych assessment via the school or LA outwith the EHCP process is unlikely without significant difficulties/behavioural difficulties. If you think DD may need an EHCP, you can request an EHCNA yourself. If the LA agrees to assess, an ed psych assessment will be part of the EHCNA. You could also pay for an independent assessment if you wish.

The school should definitely be providing support.

Was the SALT assessment an NHS SALT assessment? NHS SALT is quite limited in what they cover. If you suspect autism, DD is likely to have SALT needs. The scope of SALT is wider than the NHS typically looks at. There will be communication difficulties if DD has autism.