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Should we apply for a statement anyway?

Emmy

I am confused about what to do, and wondering if anyone can offer any advise! My son is 6 yrs old and in Year 1. He is (and has been) on School Action + since reception but the School have had real difficulties with him in particular in yr 1. He has historically been seen by EP, OT, SALT and gets some 121 support currently.

He does not however currently have an official diagnosis. When he was last assessed he was borderline ASD and the Paed wanted to wait and see how he got on in yr1.

We are currently waiting for him to be reassessed and have spoken to Paed and sent all current reports and she has said if she can't see him in the next 4 weeks, then she would write to the school saying that based on all input she would be mindful to give him a diagnosis of ASD even ahead of the assessment.

I have had a meeting with SENCO this morning, and she has told me that Thomas definitely needs more support than they can currently offer - and we will only get this with a statement. She also said that all his teachers are adopting strategies as if he already had a diagnosis. The problem is, due to funding delays etc he has not had any SALT since Reception and she has said that the LA will reject a School Application until he has had at least two terms of SALT and this is reflected in his IEP. This obviously massively delays him getting the support he desperately needs.

SENCO is very supportive and talked about how we could apply for a statement as parents. Has anyone had any experience of this? Is it worth us doing or will we also get rejected? In my head I think surely the fact that he has been identified as having an "urgent" need for SALT should only support our application?

Thomas is hugely delayed academically (in all areas), stuggles socially, has severe gross and fine motor skills delays and at school is described as being "in a constant state on anxiety", which is just heartbreaking for me to hear. I just want to do whatever I can to try and help him. Any thoughts or advise? Should we apply for a statement independently?

Many thanks & sorry so long xxx

  • Just to keep you updated, we got a letter last week confirming that he WILL be assessed for a statement. Yay! Was fully prepared for a knock back from the start so really pleased. Also we got our official ASD diagnosis last week so am hopeful we can take action now to help him in everyway we can. Thanks everyone xx

  • Literally right now filling in the second round of forms for statement. Man, it is time consuming! I did the first draft by hand and am now typing it up to submitt, but oh it makes for such depressing reading.... I know I'm being a bit self indulgent but it really is hard to read back what I've written and think that's my little boy... Still I feel positive to be doing something that will hopefully make a huge difference! xx

  • Ah thanks very much for the advice, it is so reassuring just to know I am not alone in this minefield! The School say they have been constantly asking for SALT and apparently he will be assessed immediately after Easter and then therapy will commence.

    I think I have decided I'm just going to go for it. I have spoken to Parent Partnership previously so I will give them a call on Monday and see what advice they offer. I think I've got my eyes wide open in terms of the fact that it's going to be hard work and a battle (which I am more than prepared for) but on the other hand I am still innocent (niaive?!) enough to think he surely must eventually get a statement as he so clearly needs help!

    Well, I shall keep you updated and if you think of anything else, please do let me know!

    Thanks heaps xxx

  • Hello, I may be much help either (still learning myself) but from what I understand is as Lou31 says, a statement is needs based. So the diagnosis shouldn't make a difference. If you apply for the statement then I am guessing you will be doing the donkey work eg chasing, writing letters etc which wouldn't be an issue for you I am sure afterall your childs well being is priority here. I have seen various reasons given to parents as to why a statement can't be applied for but never because SALT has to be involved for 2 terms. My sons EP said that our son wouldn't get a statement after he had cognitive testing which showed he was able yet he was 2 yrs behind. Saying that he wasn't receiving the support they said he was but thats another story.

    There is someone called ?Sally44 on here (well I think it is on here, I have been flitting around different forums just lately) she seems very knowledgeable on school systems, statements, laws etc hopefully she will see your message and give you some advice.

  • Hi Emmy,

    I am not sure what help I can really offer!  Great start!  I have a son who you have basically just described in your post. 

    Are school saying that they wont apply for a statement?  Have they been nagging SALT to get in there?  It is a really tricky one.  My understanding is they have to show that the child is not making appropriate progress with what is in place, using the IEP as evidence. Your child shouldn't suffer because SALT aren't doing what they should be.  School is making the application for us.  We are certainly short of some of the reports we would ideally like but are going for it now anyway. 

    A letter from your paediatrician should help but a diagnosis shouldn't make a difference (am sceptical about that) as it is based on needs.  The problem as I see it is this...  If you apply and end up not getting the statement, you have to wait a certain length of time before you can reapply (I think it is 6 months but am not certain).  On the other hand, he obviously needs help now and the process takes long enough as it is.  And you want help for year2.

    I'm not helping am I?  Just telling you what you already probably know.  You know, I don't see why you shouldn't apply yourself.  Have you tried speaking to parent partnership - they can probably give much better advise! 

    Let us know how you get on!