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clair

Help writing a letter

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I was wondering if anyone could help me. My son has not got a diagnosis yet, either of ASD or ADHD. The whole process has been going on for three years, but the last year has been the worst. He has just turned seven and and will be hitting junior school in September. The school dont seem to be getting anywhere with the ed psyc, labs, discs and we dont seem to be getting anywhere with the clinical psyc anymore. The last thing the clinical psycologist said was she was going to refer to the adhd team in our area and if they decide to take him on then they would discuss him once a month at their meetings. She did warn us that at the end of it we might not get a diagnosis of adhd and that it may be Traits of Autism and adhd. He has already been through the Social Development team for a year and they are not going to rule this out at this stage. I am worried that although the first school has put the provisions in for my son (partly due to having an autistic lad at school in the same year) that this is all going to go out of the window when he changes school. When I asked the school if it would be a good idea to request a stat assessment to try and get him statemented they were all for it. I am now wondering if I have to ring the LEA or write, and what exactly can I say in my letter or phonecall. I am just really daft at writing letters. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance,

Clair :wallbash:

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Clair

 

Essentially you write a short letter to the LEA requesting a stautory assessment.

 

I expect Nellie will be along in a minute with the definitive word on the issue!

 

Simon

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Hi Clair

 

This link to IPSEA will give you a copy letter to ask for an assessment.

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/sevenfixes.htm

 

Some LEA's are using an unlawful criteria for statutory assessment. You could ask your authority for a copy of their criteria for statutory assessment and check if it's lawful.

 

You can find details about unlawful criteria on this link http://www.ipsea.org.uk/devon05.htm

 

Hope this helps.

 

Nellie xx

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Clair

 

This is what I wrote:-

 

Parental Request for a Statutory Assessment

Child's Name - date of birth - School

 

I am writing to ask you to assess the educational needs of my daugher, Laura, under Section 323 of the 1996 Education Act.

 

I make this request under Section 329 of the Act for the following reasons.

 

Laura has a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome. She is just about to enter juniors at (name of school) and despite the help she has received on School Action Plus, she has become increasing withdrawn socially. She has trouble processing information, is easily distracted and has poor comprehension skills.

 

I have enclosed (then listed the the names etc. of paediatricians, speech and language and educational or clinical psychologists reports).

 

 

 

 

 

The letter doesn't need to be long but be sure to quote the education act to make sure they know you're aware of yours rights legally.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Lisa

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>:D<<'> Thankyou to both Nellie and Lisa, This is great information, I knew posting here was the best thing to do

Once again

 

THANK YOU Clair B)

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Hi Clair,

 

My LEA has a standard form for requesting a statutory assessment. I just filled in the details and when it came to writing my reasons for the request I just put these on a separate sheet as I couldn't fit it all in. You could ring your LEA or look at their website to see if they have a similar procedure - it saves writing a letter from scratch.

 

K

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Hi Clair,

 

Just to add to what Nellie and Lisa said, make sure you include as many reports as you can (ie school reports, ed.psych etc).

 

You may also find your local Parent Partnership will be able to give you assistance with writing your letter.

 

Good Luck, I know how daunting this all is,

 

Loulou x

 

:)

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Hi again thanks to everyone, I have managed to get hold of lady from parent partnership today and shes coming out on Friday to help with the letter. Also I managed to get the GP to refer to a child psychiatrist as my husband and I said its been going on too long now and things are just getting too bad. He agreed and said, "well u cant leave him alone in another room for a second can you"

WHAT A SURPRISE THEY ARE ALL STARTING TO TAKE US SERIOUSLY AT LAST I just wonder if the psycologist will at the meeting tomorrow. Its funny how someone can have about 8 sessions with her but she has only asked to see my son once. Ill let u all know how we get on anyway.

cheers Clair :D

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Clair,

 

>:D<<'>

 

I'm glad things are starting to happen for you. Don't be afraid to let them know how desperate the situation is. I threatened suicide to get my daughter specialist help. It sounds awful, but it got them to sit up and take notice.

 

Good luck

 

K

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Hi I saw the psycologist today and took my mum with me. I had just returned from the school about an hour before this because they had rung up and told me that the labs man was in and I might like to say a few words. He suggested that they have a proffesionals meeting and told me I wouldn't be invited. Talk about the two of them getting the same idea on the same day. The psycologist said exactly the same thing but said that I would be invited. I also mentioned that the doctor was referring to the psychiatrist directly. She said that was not necessary as they can refer, but I am not going to sit around any longer and wait. I would rather have all the appointments at once than none at all. I also got told that the educational psycologist would be visiting this week as well. Isn't it funny when you mention that you will be asking for a proper assessment to be done for statementing they suddenly all go into action. Why do I get the sneaky feeling that my mum has been talking about this to her friend the local MP. She told him about the CSA when I was having problems with them and I ended up with a �50 compensation cheque for being messed around on top of the money I was owed. I also got the teachers view on my son today in front of the labs man and she said she thinks he has ASD symptoms. Lets hope she is invited to the proffesionals meeting. After all between us we have to spend the most time with him. Any way i'll keep you updated

Thanks everyone, CLAIR

p.s Im just going to buy a large bottle of something strong to drink tonight.

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Hello Clair,

 

I've come onto this thread really late, sorry about that, you've already been given some great advice.

 

Be careful of the timescale, once you receive the LEA's acknowledgement that it has received your request, you'll have 29 days in which to submit all your evidence.

 

You asked for some help in writing your letter, by the end of the statutory process you will become an expert letter writer, I'm pretty sure of that.

 

I have to write a letter to my LEA but because I haven't had the need to contact my LEA over the past few months I'm dreading writing it - which isn't like me, I have this dull ache in the pit of my stomach. This issue is constantly on my mind and because I'm reluctant to deal with the issue, it's making my brain a little numb ;) . I made a curry this evening, but something didn't quite look right - I had forgotton to put the curry paste in the mixture :wacko:

 

... even though my christmas tree has been taken down, the mantle swag with all its decorations and lights is still on my mantle- piece.

 

I've got to get a grip :(

 

Sorry for the moan, fingers crossed that everything will go through smoothly for you, kind regards, Helen :)

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Hi Clair,

 

I'm glad to see things are moving for you at last. Regarding the professionals meeting, you should be invited to attend because you are the person with the most information regarding your son. Also it is vital that the class teacher is there.

 

Find out who will be chairing the meeting (ie the psych) and discuss your attendance with them.

 

From personal experience, when i've been to professionals meetings about my son, I took my Dad with me. Mainly for support, but also to make notes of who said what. I'm so glad i did, because after the meeting, my head was spinning!

 

All the best,

 

Loulou >:D<<'>

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I agree that you should be invited to the meeting. Your input is vital when it comes to getting an accurate picture/view of your son.

 

Hope things get better for you soon, Helen. xx :pray:

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I had a reply from the LEA today, they told me that they would be asking for info for my son so we are on the conveyor belt now. I just hope it doesnt get reversed or come to a stop in the first six weeks. Isnt it funny how you wait for weeks of unnacceptable behaviour in school before sending off the letter to the LEA and the next thing you know he hasnt played up all week. I know that the teachers have yet found another way of trying to encourage him with certificates and he likes these. :wacko: I just wonder how long this will work for this time. Its almost like he goes through a long bad patch and then when all the professionals are going to have to see him he turns into an angel for a short time. Its so annoying. It makes me and the teachers look like liars. :rolleyes:

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Clair,

 

Good luck. It is a daunting process once you've started down this track but don't give up.

 

Are you keeping a diary of your son's behavior? Write down anything that occurs to you as you now have a chance to submit your views as a parent - the more detail you can include the better.

 

K

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