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Debbie4

Hello I have a 5 year old son who was diagnoised with autism just under a year ago, we were a bit shocked as we thought he just had speak and language delay.  He started school in Sept and settled well and is making good progress with just a few blips along the way.

We have just completed 6 sessions at the SACC clinic and I have just received there report.  Why when you see these reports does it not make you feel very positive, it recommends the school go for a educational statement to support him further.  My understanding is that this can take 6 months does anyone know why this takes so long.

  • Thanks for the advice.  When I have spoken to the school in the past they said that they felt my son was very boderline which makes it a bit more difficult.  They feel that he is currently managable but unsure of how he will be in  the next year or so.

    There is parents evening next week so I will be able to discuss things further, and see how we can progress.

     

     

  • I believe 6 months is the statutory timetable that it MUST be completed within. It can however take even longer if a tribunal is involved as various stages of the timetable are based on when a prior decision is made, which obviously can be changed by a tribunal. It's taken us a year so far but we're getting the 2nd draft today and the finalised one in a week or two. It could of course be quicker but I wouldn't hold out any hopes on that.

    6 months seems like a long time but in the grand scheme of things, it isn't. Get lots of advice from the likes of IPSEA, ACE, SOS!SEN, parent partnership, NAS, etc. Get a good phone package because you'll be using it a lot. Do your homework, get a copy of SENCOP, and make sure the LEA/LA know that you know what they are supposed to do, when and how otherwise they'll pull a fast one.

    Do not be put off by all the people in the 'system' saying he doesn't need a statement, if you think he does, go for it. We were told we didn't need/would never get a statement and here we are with a statement. They are just protecting budgets, even if they are supposed to be working for the best interests of the child.

    Good luck.

  • Hello

    My son was diagnosed at the age of 4 (he's now 13) and started school as school action plus. At the time the School was far from good and the SENCO had never had a child with a diagnosis of ASD to set IEP targets for or support. We knew from his assessments that our son did not have a learning disability and was probably very bright so we wanted him at a mainstream school. We did have to fight the school on several issues and when they attempted to limit his attendance to just mornings we appplied for an assessments for a statement of Special Educational Needs. I have to say that this was probably the best descision we could have made as this is a legal document that helps ensure our son gets the help that he needs. I don't know how long the statementing process currently takes and in my area the LEA (Local Education Authority) would rather not issue statements because of the cost! Without his statement of SEN my son would have had trouble staying at his school and would probably never been able to go to Grammar school without the support this ensures him. I have encountered people over the years that have felt there is a stigma attached to the child with a statement but they are quite frankly unenlightened, this document is an enabling one that makes sure the child gets the help they need. Good Luck, hope it doesn't take 6 months.