Assessment outcome

Hi,

Our 3 year old son had his assessment observation yesterday, we were shocked at how the assessment was conducted! We were told that the professionals involved would observe and collate their findings to discuss with us further treatments and help available for any behaviours found.

Our son was observed in a play room setting with no other children present (we were told it would be a group setting), with 6 professionals observing him, playing with him, directing his play. Eg. Using orange blocks they said lets cook the carrots, my son copied what they did! My son responds better to adults than children, for instance he woud not initiate play and would need an adult to start the game and encourage him to stay on task. If he did stay on task he would become easily agitated with the child if they invaded his personal space, made a loud noise or did not play how he expected them to. This was not observed during assessment. 

The nursery my son attends wrote a report explaining his social difficulties and problems with communication, but the professionals appeared to base all of their findings on the days assessment during our feedback session. When I tried to explain all aspects of my sons difficulties: extreme sleep problems, speech and language delay, global development delay, unpredictability, impulsiveness, intolerance of crowded places and loud noises, routine changes, violent outbursts etc, they continued to bring their decision back to their findings during their play session.

Now, we are left in limbo as a family with no support for our son and no diagnosis to move forward in regards to gaining access to help for our son, his education and social skills. Can anyone offer any advice? Is it worth appealing their decision?

Thank you

Parents
  • Hi

    My son was already under assessment before starting nursery so they have only just come on board in the last 4 months. The senco rep for his nursery was present at the meeting although it was her first experience of this process. She submitted her reports, but, by her own admission they were not read! They simply asked some specific qustions. They are helping but kind of taking direction from us. However, through them my sons speech has improved.

    Our assessment started through health visitors and sleep nurses referrals to a paedeatrician because of his delay in speech and repetative behaviours along with only sleeping for a few hours per night with no day time naps to compensate. The paedeatrician said she thought our son had social and communication problems and suspect he has autism. Since then every health professional has treated him from symptoms they have witnessed in the same way. When our assessment date came through we were told he was given a one day assessment because they were quite sure of a diagnosis. However, this was not the case and no further advice has been given. I have spent today making calls as we dont know where to go next and a multi agency meeting s being co ordinated. Not sure what this will do!

Reply
  • Hi

    My son was already under assessment before starting nursery so they have only just come on board in the last 4 months. The senco rep for his nursery was present at the meeting although it was her first experience of this process. She submitted her reports, but, by her own admission they were not read! They simply asked some specific qustions. They are helping but kind of taking direction from us. However, through them my sons speech has improved.

    Our assessment started through health visitors and sleep nurses referrals to a paedeatrician because of his delay in speech and repetative behaviours along with only sleeping for a few hours per night with no day time naps to compensate. The paedeatrician said she thought our son had social and communication problems and suspect he has autism. Since then every health professional has treated him from symptoms they have witnessed in the same way. When our assessment date came through we were told he was given a one day assessment because they were quite sure of a diagnosis. However, this was not the case and no further advice has been given. I have spent today making calls as we dont know where to go next and a multi agency meeting s being co ordinated. Not sure what this will do!

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