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Private ED Psych Assessors in Surrey Hampshire & time right for statementing?

James1

Hello 

Our son has just been diagnosed w ASD and is almost 8 years old. He has been on School Action Plus for some time yet never received any outside expert support ..eg. LEA Ed Psych. Pre diagnosis when we asked the school a this they said they were doing already doing taking all action that might reasonable come out of an assessment and anyway it was up to the LEA. When we contacted the LEA they first said that our son didnt meet criteria, then said the school had failed to budget for their services. 

During diagnostic process the Clinical Psychologist has clearly recommended full cognitive assessment. The LEA Ed Psych team have finally agreed to engage but have been so far coy about whether this will result in full assessment. 

With a recent diagnosits of ASD, which in many ways is very broad &generic description, we feel it's important to quickly get a clear profile of strengths, weaknesses, obstacles , development opportunities etc so that the interventions, especially at school will be effective. 

We have come to a conclusion that we need an independent Ed Psych Assessment just so we as parents quickly know wha the story is and can fight our SMS corner. 

 Two questions:

1.  Can anyone recommend a good independent Ed Psych assessor for kids with ASD in Surrey/Hampshire?

2. Based on situ described above is now the right time to press for a statement?

Parents

  • Hi James,

    It's difficult because I think every area seems to be different.  For example, I understood the full cognitive assessment to be carried out by the health team.  This doesn't seem to be the case for you. 

    I am not sure you can be fobbed off about the ed psych involvement by them saying the school hasn't budgeted for it.  I would speak to the head of the school and if that doesn't work, perhaps go to the governing body.  It sounds like it might be an academy?  In which case ITHINK they have a certain level of accountability. 

    There are just two other points I would make.  The first is that the LEA and health service will not always accept the findings of a private practitioner.  It would be worth finding that out before you pay vast sums of money.  On the other hand it would of course help you as individuals but not necessarily in your fight to get the best services. 

    The second is that, as I am sure you are aware, statements are very hard to come by these days.  Unless you have a LOT of paperwork from the school showing that he is not achieving his targets etc (presumably on school action + he has IEPs in place?) I think it will be tricky - well it is anyway!!!  The more reports you have ie from Ed psych, results from cognitive testing etc the more evidence you have to submit so if you think that is round the corner it might just be worth waiting that little bit longer. 

    Why it has to be so hard I will never know!  Well, I imiagine it's to make it as inaccessible as possible.  All this advice is just based on my opinion/experience and what I've heard from other parents.  I am in no way an expert!  Just fighting my way through the system, just like you guys.

    Best of luck.

Reply

  • Hi James,

    It's difficult because I think every area seems to be different.  For example, I understood the full cognitive assessment to be carried out by the health team.  This doesn't seem to be the case for you. 

    I am not sure you can be fobbed off about the ed psych involvement by them saying the school hasn't budgeted for it.  I would speak to the head of the school and if that doesn't work, perhaps go to the governing body.  It sounds like it might be an academy?  In which case ITHINK they have a certain level of accountability. 

    There are just two other points I would make.  The first is that the LEA and health service will not always accept the findings of a private practitioner.  It would be worth finding that out before you pay vast sums of money.  On the other hand it would of course help you as individuals but not necessarily in your fight to get the best services. 

    The second is that, as I am sure you are aware, statements are very hard to come by these days.  Unless you have a LOT of paperwork from the school showing that he is not achieving his targets etc (presumably on school action + he has IEPs in place?) I think it will be tricky - well it is anyway!!!  The more reports you have ie from Ed psych, results from cognitive testing etc the more evidence you have to submit so if you think that is round the corner it might just be worth waiting that little bit longer. 

    Why it has to be so hard I will never know!  Well, I imiagine it's to make it as inaccessible as possible.  All this advice is just based on my opinion/experience and what I've heard from other parents.  I am in no way an expert!  Just fighting my way through the system, just like you guys.

    Best of luck.

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