Anyone been thru statementing process with a child? Just starting this for 8yo DD....

Mics_chick

Heard last week that my DD will get a statutory assessment (SA) after we saw an Ed Psych privately who said she has significant (meaning severe) problems with dyslexia and dyscalculia (like dyslexia but with numbers).
We were over the moon to get a positive response but realise it is a long and possibly difficult process. We keeping everything crossed that it works out well for her and she gets the long term help she needs, ie, a statement of SEN.

Just wondered if anyone else has been thru statementing process with their child(ren) and how they found it?
Were you successful first time or did you have to go to tribunal?

Mics_chick

We started the statementing process with our 6yo DS coz he was diagnosed with high functioning autism (Asperger's syndrome) in October last year.
The school applied for an SA for him virtually straightaway but it was turned down for several reasons:

1. lack of information of progress made
2. lack of information from parents
3. attaining levels expected of his age

No. 3 is just rubbish as he was working at levels in literacy and numeracy far above his age when he started Reception!

No. 1 is due to the school not providing sufficient info about the level of progress he has/hasn't made and any strategies they have used to provide support for him.

No. 2 is partly our fault coz we didn't complete the parent views form but I can honestly say that I can't remember receiving it - have only realised this since requesting DD's SA. But it's also the school's fault coz the head admitted in a meeting after we heard his SA was refused that she could've sent minutes of several meetings we had with her in the year or so he'd been in school.

We've got someone from Parent Partnership attending meetings at the school (only 1 so far) as we feel badly let down by them after my son's SA was turned down.

It is a very friendly school with a relaxed atmosphere but with a sensible level of discipline (when needed) too. It is a small primary of approx 120 pupils but we know that there are several children with statements in the school so do not understand how the head could make such silly mistakes on the info she supplied for my DS's SA.

I also know a few other families with children who have applied for statements for various special needs but mainly autism, ADHD and dyslexia and they have found it a struggle to get any joy from the LEA.

I live in Derbyshire and wondered how other families have dealt with this situation.

JC9297

Mics_chick wrote: »

We started the statementing process with our 6yo DS coz he was diagnosed with high functioning autism (Asperger's syndrome) in October last year.
The school applied for an SA for him virtually straightaway but it was turned down for several reasons:

1. lack of information of progress made
2. lack of information from parents
3. attaining levels expected of his age

No. 3 is just rubbish as he was working at levels in literacy and numeracy far above his age when he started Reception!

Therefore he is attaining levels expected of his age (and exceeding them presumably). What this means is his attainment is not a concern, as it would be if he was working at a lower level.

sneezyboots

Depending on whether your child is currently getting the help they require in class or not can I ask why you are so determined to get a statement?

As a teacher I have had children who very clearly need and then get a statement. I have also had children whose parents have pushed and pushed and fought like mad to get their children statemented when the child is absolutely fine, just below average. When questioned they don't want the child in a special needs school or anything, they already get funding so that isn't an issue. It seems they want it purely so they have an 'excuse' for their child being below average.

Think of it from the child's point of view once they are an adult too. That label stays with them. I have some friends who I play football with who went to 'special schools' and they get really embarrassed and don't answer if someone casually asks which school they attended. And they have a nightmare getting jobs and things because of their labels.

If your child is in genuine need of a statement then ignore all of what I have written, sit back and let them be assessed and they will get it, but please make sure you are wanting the statement because it is the best thing for the child.

Mics_chick

JC9297 wrote: »

Therefore he is attaining levels expected of his age (and exceeding them presumably). What this means is his attainment is not a concern, as it would be if he was working at a lower level.

I didn't mean it was rubbish in the sense that it was wrong but that it was used as one of the reasons for refusing a statutory assessment.
Saying that a gifted child is attaining levels expected of their age is just stating the obvious imho.

I'm not a pushy parent and don't expect him to be doing GCSEs several years earlier than his peers but on the other hand I do want him to be stretched so that he's not bored and so that he fulfils his potential.
His difficulties aren't related to attaining academically but being able to concentrate for more than 10 mins at a time, being able to understand what is expected of him (especially behaviour) and being able to mix with his peers and make friends.

The school has said recently that he can verbalise very well but really struggles to want to put anything down on paper or even on a computer.
This means it will be very difficult to prove his intelligence when he is older unless he is helped to change this now - something that needs 1-to-1 help coz the teacher and teaching assistant aren't able to give him this individual attention.
This is why I feel strongly that he needs a statement asap.

Mics_chick

sneezyboots wrote: »

Depending on whether your child is currently getting the help they require in class or not can I ask why you are so determined to get a statement?

As a teacher I have had children who very clearly need and then get a statement.
I have also had children whose parents have pushed and pushed and fought like mad to get their children statemented when the child is absolutely fine, just below average.
When questioned they don't want the child in a special needs school or anything, they already get funding so that isn't an issue.
It seems they want it purely so they have an 'excuse' for their child being below average.

Think of it from the child's point of view once they are an adult too. That label stays with them. I have some friends who I play football with who went to 'special schools' and they get really embarrassed and don't answer if someone casually asks which school they attended. And they have a nightmare getting jobs and things because of their labels.

If your child is in genuine need of a statement then ignore all of what I have written, sit back and let them be assessed and they will get it, but please make sure you are wanting the statement because it is the best thing for the child.

I hope that some of what I've said in my previous post answers some of your questions...?

For either child I'm not doing this as an excuse for anything, especially not for my daughter being below average because everyone who has meets her says what a bright girl she is.
This includes adults that meet her when she's with me or my mum as well as people assessing her like the private Ed Psych and Paediatrician doing the medical for the statutory assessment.
We're pursuing a statement for her because she is severely dyslexic and needs alot of help.
Initially we want her to get this help in the mainstream school she is in coz she loves it there but if she gets a statement and still doesn't make much progress after a reasonable length of time then we will look in to special schools for dyslexia as we think that's the best thing for her.

As for adults being embarrassed about going to a special school, my sister had the opposite experience.
She was described as a bit "backward" or "slow" for her age when she was at school but never had any special help other than being put in the remedial class at secondary school where she was constantly bullied by children whose parents didn't give a damn how they behaved!
She was diagnosed as dyslexic when she attended adult literacy classes and I feel if she had been diagnosed with this at school then her future outlook would have been very different.
She had a miserable school life and I don't want that for my daughter.

trufflebuggy

We were advised by our son's EP that it is extremely difficult to get a Statement for a dyslexic child these days, it is a very long drawn out process and one that often ends in disappointment.

Try to get the school on board without the need for a statement, with an EP report they should take notice anyway. Don't be affraid to be the squeeky wheel, and keep the pressure on the school to put in place interventions which work for your child.

If you can please consider going private, and get some synthetic phonics tutoring for your child. Our son has benefitted from this, and although he hasn't caught up with his peers yet, he made 4 points progress this year in his reading and writing, when the national expected is 3 points for an average child.

Your child doesn't need to fail and there is alot you can do for them, and actually you can probably do more in some regard than the schools at times. Don't want to appear to be bashing the schools, but if you can put just a bit of time aside each week (3-4, 30min slots) and do some good focussed work with your child they could reap the rewards over time and achieve more than what a statement could potentially....

If per chance you live in Devon I can give you details of an excellent tutor in Exeter.

Rachel021967

My daughter has High Functioning Autism / Aspergers (depending on the expert) and had a statement that lasted 9 years. I expect a lot has changed since then so can offer no advice on statementing. However, what we found most useful was an assessment and subsequent advice from the Autism outreach worker. She was also able to give my daughter's SENCO advice on what reports to include and what sort of things to include. Also when we did my daughter's statement we had to write it as on her bad day. It might be worth ringing the Education Department at your local council to see if they have an autism outreach worker.
Good luck.
Rachel

System

my teen has uncontrolled epilepsy/severe dyspraxia +asd ,she was statemented over a year ago she attends a SNS. her statement is based on her medical needs and the wonderful school she attends is a special school for 2-19 yr olds who have a variety of medical problems. we were turned down initially because of lack of evidence although the panel at the time did agree she had significant issues, we appealed after gathering a mountain of paperwork and they conceded the appeal and the process was completed.

at the time we were doing this the parents of another child at the same school had applied for a statement but school refused to back their request because the girl was a slow learner rather than anything else the parents had indicated that the statement would allow her extra help in exams !

op contact your local parent partnership they are a great help .
good luck.

NoahsPennilessMummy

my son has been statemented since he was 3 for Autism. It was a fairly straightforward process but not sure if they are less willing to give out statements for dyslexia as others here have suggested. I know a lot of LEAs are trying to cut down on the number of statements these days.
Contact your local parent partnership
Also have a look on IPSEA website

and here
http://www.sossen.org.uk/
give them a ring and get some advice

Mics_chick

Thanks for replies so far but just wanted to point out my daughter has dyslexia and my son who has Asperger's