BEVERLEY Report post Posted January 28, 2005 Hi all I've not been around for a while-lots going on at the moment I put in a parental request for statutory assessment before Christmas and the panel met last week. It was decided that there was not enough information to decide wether or not to proceed with the assessment and they wanted the Autism Team to go into the school to assess and do a report before the next panel which is the 10th feb, so they can then decide wether statutory assessment is necessary. i'm confused - shouldn't this assessment be part of the statutory assessment? and surly if they think she needs this assessment it would be just as easy to do the whole statutory assessment Don't get me wrong i am glad they have asked for the Autism team as we have been on there waiting list since last April and they are now coming to school next week. Havn't got a clue what their assessment involves or wether i am allowed to attend Has anyone eles had this assessment, if so what does it involve Thanks Bev xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisa Report post Posted January 28, 2005 Both of my two have termly visits from the ASD Outreach team. Basically someone observes them in the classroom and playground if you're lucky or as in our case request it and then talks to their teacher and/or LSA. They then do a brief, normally 1 page report. The first time my daughter saw them was a similar situation to yours. She'd been on their waiting list since June, we'd requested statutory assessment in September, we were refused but the LEA said that they would get the ASD outreach team to assess her before the multidisiplinary meeting. Once they had a report from an Ed Psych and the ASD outreach team I requested that the LEA reconsider the decision due to the new evidence. Both reports were favourable to us. The ASD Outreach teacher said that from his observersation she appeared confused and unconfident! The LEA still turned us down. Luckily your LEA haven't refused but want more evidence before they make their decision. My only concern with this would be how can they make such an important decision on the basis of one visit to school by the autism team. Lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elainem Report post Posted January 28, 2005 Not quite the same but we are having what I would deem to be a pre-assessment to statutory assessment. The Ed Psych is coming to assess my ds and then decide whether a stat ass needs to be requested. I think it is do with the constitution(right word?) of the stat ass panel/process. The school (or me) asks for the ass then the panel ask for reports from the various parties involved. I thought it was just the Ed Psych but apparently not. TBH mostly I feel I haven't a clue about the process most of the time. It sounds a positive step if the ASD team are going in and hopefully they will recommend request for stat assessment. If for any reasons they didn;t then you would have to request it yourself. Hopefully they will. The team leader of our Ed Psych team told me its better if the school requests it rather than the parent - not sure why but I guess I had to take it on board. Elaine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted January 29, 2005 (edited) Beverley, Like you, my first parental request for an assessment was turned down precisely because the Autism team had not yet been in to the school. Before an assessment happens, the school have to show evidence that they have done all they can to provide the support your child needs and that involves calling in the specialist team to observe and advise the teachers. The report will be important. Basically the school messed it up in our case and the Autism advisor did not get in to school until it was too late: my daughter was no longer able to cope full time so she was never observed in the classroom. She spoke to the teachers and gave them detailed recommendations. She also wrote a report. At my request she then visited my daughter at home and wrote another report based on her observations. Beverley, it is a confusing process. I have thought often what a stupid process it is, i.e.the child has to be assessed before they can be assessed. If you don't know what is going on, go in and see the SENCO and ask them to explain. Also phone the Autism advisory service yourself, and ask them to explain in detail what will happen on the day. There is no reason why you should be kept in the dark as far as your own child is concerned. (I think parents are discouraged from attending though, as it's mainly classroom observation). Before the AAS came, our school had to complete a detailed referral form with lots of questions about their observation of the child's behaviour in the classroom, socially etc. I hope it goes well, K Edited January 29, 2005 by Kathryn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted January 29, 2005 Hi Beverley,like you we made a parental request for stat assess.It sounds at the moment that they have only agreed to assess.Once all assessments are in it will go to a panel meeting and then they will deciede wether or not to give a statement.It helped us to get as many health proffessional as possible to assess are son , we had 5 seperate reports in total all outlining the many difficulties my son had.If the lea agree to give a statement and you don,t agree with it, we were initally offered 5hours you can reject it and ask for more.We did and got 12hrs.Good people to help you through this are the parent partnership, and also get a copy of the sen code of practice.You probably knew that already though.Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BEVERLEY Report post Posted January 29, 2005 Thanks Toni had an OT assessment last week and has recently been reassessed at SALT so as soon as i get my copies of the reports i will be sending a copy to the Lea I've been thinking that even if we do not get a statement at least the Autism Team will have given advise to the school which the school really do need as they havn't got a clue. On Toni's last IEP they put that they wanted Toni to read with expression, well Toni doesn't talk with expression so as far as i'm concerned she isn't gonna read with it. Bev xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites