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EHCP for academically able autistic child

Roxy

Hi,

I have some questions around EHCPs (Educational Health Care Plan)

Some background: I have a 9 year old autistic son. He's always done well academically at school, he bright, quiet and well behaved. I asked for an assessment a few years ago as he struggles with things that perhaps aren't obvious at school eg communication, sensory differences, narrow interests and making friends. He got his autistic diagnosis last year. The school have been reasonably supportive but they have not suggested applying for an EHCP.

I work in another school and I explained my concerns, particularly around the move to secondary school, to my work SENCO and they said I should definitely apply for the EHCP because it allows you to at least choose the secondary school he will go to. 

So my questions are:

Do you have an EHCP for an academically able child? Was it hard to get? Is it useful? What do you think made the local authority grant one? Did the school support you or did you apply yourself? 

What kind of support is available? Other than a one to one person to keep them on task?

The CAMHs report suggested a mentor at school and an OT to help with motor skills and sensory differences.. The school said they do don't do mentoring but put him in a social skills club (which he hated!) and he has seen an OT a few times. The OT thinks he might be dispraxic so he has been referred to see another specialist.  

I think he would benefit from a mentor, or an adult he can talk to. He would benefit from more OT sessions. The OT did not deal with sensory differences and this is an area that does impact his life, so perhaps he could see someone to build a sensory profile, but who would that be? What support is available for dyspraxia? 

He is half way through year 5 and already worried about going to secondary school and we think it is going to be a very hard transition to make. 

Any advice or experiences welcome

Thanks

  • Dear Roxy,

    Thank you for sharing this with our community. You may find the following information useful. 

    The following page contains a lot of helpful information about education for a child with an autism: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education 

    This includes information regarding getting extra support for your child in their education setting. 

    You can search for schools that cater for children with an autism spectrum disorder on our Autism Services Directory: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/directory 

    You may want to contact our Education Rights Service who provides information, support and advice on educational provision and entitlements. Please see the following link for further information: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/help-and-support/education-advice-line 

     If you need support with an appeal against a decision about a child or young person’s educational needs, you might want to contact our Educational Tribunal Support Helpline: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/help-and-support/tribunal-support-line 

    You may be interested in contacting a local National Autistic Society branch. Our branches offer support to local autistic people and their families. If you interesting in checking if there is a local branch near to you, please follow the link below: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/local-branches 

    Our branches are volunteer-led, and as such every branch and group is different. Some are parent support groups, some provide support and information to autistic adults, while others have office premises and run their own a drop-in service. You will need to check with a branch directly for more information on whether they are able to provide a particular service that you are interested in. 

    If you were interested in starting a branch or group, please email branchservices@nas.org.uk 

    Thank you. I hope this helps!

    Best regards,

    Eunice Mod

  • Hi, ask the school to refer him, if they won't do it yourself. 

    Be fully prepared to be declined by the LA and go to mediation as its standard practice with most now. 

    The LA must complete an assessment if you can demstrate 

    'whether the child or young person has or may have special educational needs (“SEN”); and

    whether they may need special educational provision to be made through an EHC plan.

    If the answer to both of these questions is yes, they must carry out an EHC needs assessment.'

    They should also have a "local offer" available online for you to look through.

    Contact SENDIASS in your area for help and also IPSEA. 

    I would also read up on the SEND code of practice to give yourself insight of the process. 

    It is a long and frustrating process that even with an EHCP continues to be a battle of will, but it will be worth it if your believe he will benefit. Also if he is due to go into secondary school, it's a total change which he may need support with. 

    All I can say is stand your ground, be resilient, use send code and legislation against the LA and remain calm (very hard but use the emotion to fuel your response, the pen is mightier than the sword in these situations.) LA and Sendcos don't like it when parents know what they are talking about.