School refusing to refer to educational psychologist

kjmtidea

My youngest son is 5, he has just gone into year 1. He doesn't talk at school (or most situations outside of home) his reception teacher referred him to speech therapy, we saw her before the summer holidays and she said that he most likely has selective mutism. She goes to school for sessions with him.

I took him to the doctor about his behaviour, far too many to list here but at school he cannot cope with any change at all, can't sit still, at home we have to tell him a million times exactly what we are going to be doing the next day, can't change plans, have to walk the exact same way to school every day, has to have the same plate, bowl cutlery etc and they have to be the 'right' way before the food goes on. The list is endless, basically life with him is difficult to say the least.

Doctors referred him to the pediatrician, she said many things and then said the complete opposite in her report so I am currently waiting for a copy of her hand written notes but on the report it says that he needs to see an educational psychologist. The speech therapist's report that I have received today also says that he needs to see an educational psychologist and he definitely has selective mutism but school refuse to refer him. The senco woman has said that his needs are purely speech and language so there is no need for it, only school can refer him for this so what on earth am I supposed to do?

This is all new to me, my other 3 boys haven't had any problems. I feel like every time we start getting somewhere we hit a brick wall. Surely if the pediatrician and the speech therapist are both saying that he needs to see an ed psych then they should do the referral? His teacher is trying to get the senco person to do it but she keeps refusing, I have asked (begged) but she won't.

My son desperately needs help at school and home (I know many others do too) and I feel lost. Has anyone been through this and can give me some advice please?

Thank you.

HeadAboveWater

he definitely has selective mutism

I would have suggested a second opinion but Dr and ST both seem to agree on the above.

It's just that when I read this....

I took him to the doctor about his behaviour, far too many to list here but at school he cannot cope with any change at all, can't sit still, at home we have to tell him a million times exactly what we are going to be doing the next day, can't change plans, have to walk the exact same way to school every day, has to have the same plate, bowl cutlery etc and they have to be the 'right' way before the food goes on.

...you could've been talking about my SILs son who is autistic. He barely communicated either but has progressed really well since changing schools last year. He's now 8.

Either way, I can't see how they won't refer you. Are they giving a reason as to why they won't?

kjmtidea

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

I would have suggested a second opinion but Dr and ST both seem to agree on the above.

It's just that when I read this....



...you could've been talking about my SILs son who is autistic. He barely communicated either but has progressed really well since changing schools last year. He's now 8.

Either way, I can't see how they won't refer you. Are they giving a reason as to why they won't?

The pediatrician said that he has asd traits but then things that go against it like his non verbal communication - it is pretty good but that may be down to him having selective mutism and that is his way of communicating. Then in his report she put that he doesn't show any signs of asd, very confusing.

School are refusing to refer him because the senco woman believes that all of his problems are down to speech and language, he is already seeing the speech therapist so that will do.

j.e.j.

kjmtidea wrote: »

I took him to the doctor about his behaviour, far too many to list here but at school he cannot cope with any change at all, can't sit still, at home we have to tell him a million times exactly what we are going to be doing the next day, can't change plans, have to walk the exact same way to school every day, has to have the same plate, bowl cutlery etc and they have to be the 'right' way before the food goes on. The list is endless, basically life with him is difficult to say the least.

Either he's being given free reign to behave like this, or as you suspect, there is something amiss.

kjmtidea wrote: »

His teacher is trying to get the senco person to do it but she keeps refusing, I have asked (begged) but she won't.

If you haven't done so already I would put your request in writing and copy in the person the senco lady reports to. It'll be harder for her to fob you off if she's being made accountable for deciding to refuse your request.

Your only other option would be to try and get him seen privately, but I imagine that would be prohibitively pricey. Might be worth considering as a last resort, though?

kelpie35

I would say from what you have written about your DS's symptoms that he is on the Autistic spectrum.

My son was 5 when he was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and was exactly how you describe your DS.

I am from Scotland so am unable to give you any help re education as we have a completely different system.

I hope you manage to get the help your require soon as I know how difficult it is to cope at times.

concerned43

I came up against this at school too. I simply went to DS's GP and asked him for his support - he sent letter to school and DS was seen by Ed Psyc. within 2 weeks.
tho must admit it was a waste of time as they only concentrate of his school work and refer to CAMHS for any behavioural problems - and i would advise you to be very careful if referred to CAMHS as the majority there are unqualified!

kara7758

I would advise you to see your GP and ask for a referral to CAMHS to have your sons behaviors assessed. CAMHS can do specific ADOS assessments which will help identify if your son in on the Autism Spectrum.

CAMHS staffing consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health trained nurses, social workers etc, all more than qualified and experienced enough to enable your son to receive support for his needs. My last place of employment was in a CAMHS Unit.

kjmtidea

j.e.j. wrote: »

Either he's being given free reign to behave like this, or as you suspect, there is something amiss.


If you haven't done so already I would put your request in writing and copy in the person the senco lady reports to. It'll be harder for her to fob you off if she's being made accountable for deciding to refuse your request.

Your only other option would be to try and get him seen privately, but I imagine that would be prohibitively pricey. Might be worth considering as a last resort, though?

Well he has been treated the same as my other 3 boys and it isn't just bad behaviour, for example - he has a basket with loads of his stuff in, really random stuff but it all has to go in there. It goes up to his bedroom at night and into the lounge every morning, if someone dares move this basket then you would think that someone was being killed in my house by the amount of noise that he makes. It isn't just a tantrum, it is like his whole world is ending.

concerned43 wrote: »

I came up against this at school too. I simply went to DS's GP and asked him for his support - he sent letter to school and DS was seen by Ed Psyc. within 2 weeks.
tho must admit it was a waste of time as they only concentrate of his school work and refer to CAMHS for any behavioural problems - and i would advise you to be very careful if referred to CAMHS as the majority there are unqualified!

I don't think I have ever heard a good comment about camhs! Perhaps I should go back to the doctor then, I don't know what else to do and the speech therapist can only cover so much.

Thanks for all the replies.

Nicki

You can request that your child is assessed by the EP for a statement, but asking the Educational Psychology service direct. In fact it is often quicker for a parent to do this than the school. The school "buys in" a certain amount of time from an EP per year, so children get seen in order of severity from the school's point of view. If a parent makes the request there is a time limit which the LA must adhere to, which means your child will get seen more quickly by the EP and thereafter the process will be the same as if your child had been referred by the school.

All local authorities are required by law to have an organisation to advise parents about SEN. In our borough its called the Parents Advice Centre, but other areas call it Parent Partnership, or other names. This organisation should be able to advise you and guide you through the whole process. If you can't find it locally, phone the Childrens Services Department at your local authority and ask them for the contact details.

You should also google the SEN code of practise and either download it or ask the DFE for a hard copy. That will be your bible in years to come if your child needs extra support at school.

Good luck.

emg

I would contact the paediatrician and say school have refused to refer to an EP. She can then decide whether to put pressure on school or to refer to the CAMHS psychologist instead. While ASD and SM can co-exist, the behaviours you have described could also be part of a generalised anxiety disorder (not unusual in SM children) and this may be why they are cautious about any diagnosis.

skattykatty

How frustrating. I agree with others, this sounds like a CAMHs situation to me. Maybe go back to your GP and get the referral to CAMHs that way. The school will HAVE to co-operate as they will have to fill in forms too. The quality of CAMHs service depends on where you live, so fingers crossed you're somewhere where resources aren't stretched to breakin point.

I don't understand the attitude of your senco and you should be able to put pressure to bear on her. Utterly ridiculus. You have expert opinions (and a senco is NOT an expert, whatever they may think.)