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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,

    I can't say that most statements fail because I don't have the facts.  The anecdotal evidence that I have is that most are unsuccessful at least the first time round.  I think many more go through on appeal.  I've even had the LA tell me they don't agree with the doctors diagnosis (honestly!!!)

    As mumof3 says, many schools now buy in their services from the LA and I think that is a real worry for children with special needs.  There is a conflict of interest. 

    I think that the best way to trigger a serious effort on the part of the school and LEA is to collect all the information you possibly can.  As mumof3 suggest, contact IPSEA and get hold of the code of practice.  I would recommend that you speak to Parent Partnership.  At this stage, the school and LEA have the facts and you don't leaving you on the back foot all the time.  You need to know what should be happening and who should be doing what. 

    I am still amazed that there never seems to be anyone in 'charge' of these situations.  So many people involved and no-one to take control.  Then it is left to the parents to coordinate everything.  By the end of this you will be an authority on it! 

Reply

  • Hi James,

    I can't say that most statements fail because I don't have the facts.  The anecdotal evidence that I have is that most are unsuccessful at least the first time round.  I think many more go through on appeal.  I've even had the LA tell me they don't agree with the doctors diagnosis (honestly!!!)

    As mumof3 says, many schools now buy in their services from the LA and I think that is a real worry for children with special needs.  There is a conflict of interest. 

    I think that the best way to trigger a serious effort on the part of the school and LEA is to collect all the information you possibly can.  As mumof3 suggest, contact IPSEA and get hold of the code of practice.  I would recommend that you speak to Parent Partnership.  At this stage, the school and LEA have the facts and you don't leaving you on the back foot all the time.  You need to know what should be happening and who should be doing what. 

    I am still amazed that there never seems to be anyone in 'charge' of these situations.  So many people involved and no-one to take control.  Then it is left to the parents to coordinate everything.  By the end of this you will be an authority on it! 

Children
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