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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

Parents

  • 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.

Reply

  • 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.

Children
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