Hello everybody
I'm in the process of compiling my letter to the LA to ask for an assessment on my 10 year old lad. He is higher functioning so his grades aren't way down, my problems lie mainly in his communication and behaviour.
He is so easily led, for example he jumped off a building within the school grounds 14 times because some children told him to, he angers at others so easily, headlocks tries to the strangle them etc but manages to "hide" his behaviours from his teachers and letting rip at home instead. I do have schools backing on asking for an assessment but have been told they feel its unlikely because hes a bright boy.
Could anybody give me some wisdom on what sort of information to put into this letter or general advise please? I feel so sad that everybody tells me he won't get a statement because he's not failing in his actual progress, why should he not get the support because he masks things and then meltdowns at home instead :(
Thanks so much
mum25
You're not happy, so don't take this lying down. I'd get onto IPSEA's website straight away and give them a call. You can appeal against a refusal to assess and a refusal to provide a statement. When I phoned IPSEA when I was getting the runaround about even getting a referral to the ed psych, they said some LA's have a blanket practice (not admitted of course) of always saying no to a request for a statement because it's an easy way of weeding out the parents who aren't going to make a fuss. Outrageous - they also weed out the parents least able to advocate effectively for their children, regardless of how much need there is. I'm in Essex and I recently spoke to another mum in the know about all things SEN. Here, you can get a statement specifically related to autism - it's entirely separate to the criteria applied purely for learning difficulties - which high functioning kids may have difficulty getting.
It costs nothing to appeal - it might be daunting legally, but IPSEA do provide tribunal and helpline support if you need it. They'll also be able to give you a bit of a steer on yor prospects of success I expect. It's got to be worth a call hasn't it? They were great when I contacted them - insightful and practical - and completely on top of the law.
As a lawyer myself, I know how many decisions can and do get turned over on appeal - it's always worth a shot.
You're not happy, so don't take this lying down. I'd get onto IPSEA's website straight away and give them a call. You can appeal against a refusal to assess and a refusal to provide a statement. When I phoned IPSEA when I was getting the runaround about even getting a referral to the ed psych, they said some LA's have a blanket practice (not admitted of course) of always saying no to a request for a statement because it's an easy way of weeding out the parents who aren't going to make a fuss. Outrageous - they also weed out the parents least able to advocate effectively for their children, regardless of how much need there is. I'm in Essex and I recently spoke to another mum in the know about all things SEN. Here, you can get a statement specifically related to autism - it's entirely separate to the criteria applied purely for learning difficulties - which high functioning kids may have difficulty getting.
It costs nothing to appeal - it might be daunting legally, but IPSEA do provide tribunal and helpline support if you need it. They'll also be able to give you a bit of a steer on yor prospects of success I expect. It's got to be worth a call hasn't it? They were great when I contacted them - insightful and practical - and completely on top of the law.
As a lawyer myself, I know how many decisions can and do get turned over on appeal - it's always worth a shot.
