How do i obtain a statement of educational needs for my daughter?

Question

she is on the autistic spectrum and has developmental coordination disorder. i have asked my social worker,senco,and various other people,but have come up against a brick wall,the most common answer being we live in a notoriously difficult area as our LEA is stretched to the limit!!!! i would appreciate some sound advice please,ive done a little research on the internet and it does seem to be an exceptionally complicated subject.

Answer 1

Your problem is common, if you have asked all these people you cant do much else.

Complain to your MP and say it is taking too long. Also complain to local councellor.

Answer 2

Well, you must sue the school and other institutions in charge for making you wait for too long. Education of the child can't wait and the reason of being a notoriously difficult area is not an excuse.

Answer 3

You should have a local parent partnership service in your area, their number will be in the telephone directory. Go and make an appointment so see them and tell them your worries. They are there specifically to assist you to get the correct help you need for your child to get the right help at school. At the moment schools are cutting down on the number of children that are statemented because it is costing too much money. They are preferring instead to put children onto individual education plans. There are two levels of IEP, school action and school action plus. It never is easy to get help for your child but you must be firm and fight to get your daughter the help she needs. Good luck.

Answer 4

The fact that you live in a "notoriously difficult area" is not an excuse by the local authority to avoid supplying you with a statement of educational needs. It is a legal obligation for them to do this and also to work out a programme, along with you and your daughter.  (You do not give her age)  Only then can any progress be made. The autistic spectrum is extremely wide and covers many differing "disorders" and, so, she needs to be seen by an educational psychologist so that an accurate picture of her needs can be diagnosed. i admire your tenacity in consulting those you mention and I really find it difficult to understand why they have not put themselves out to provide you with help. I think that the advice elsewhere to consult local councillors and/or your MP is very sound. If you live in an area in which the sitting MP and/or councillors are sitting on majorities which mean they don't really need your vote and so see no advantage in helping you, then go to a member of the opposing party, a potential candidate perhaps,  who, to put it bluntly, will do anything for your vote and for a bit of good publicity.  I know this must seem rather cynical but that's the political climate in which we live. You may not agree with the politics of the person you consult but does that matter if s/he will try for your daughter?

You could also try your local newspaper. They are always looking for "human interest" stories and politicians and local authorities do not like to get on the wrong side of a newspaper.  And, in the area in which I live, the BBC local tv news programmes (and the commercial ones) are always asking viewers to "send us your story."  These steps may seem rather sensational but, in my opinion, nothing is too much trouble to help your daughter. All the best in your mission.

Answer 5

u need again to approach the school and ask for an appointment with the head and the senco, infact as u have a social worker as them to arrange a meeting.  Complain to the school govenor if nothing else works.

Answer 6

If you mean that you want to get help for your child in school thru special ed services, you have to follow a specific legal process in order to do this.

This is mandated by federal law 'IDEA'  'individuals with disabilities education act'.

You have to ask the school for this help and NOT the social worker or anyone that is not in the school system.

Schools can NOT use lack of funds as a legal reason to refuse special ed services.

You have to learn the laws and your rights and the best place for this is www.wrightslaw.com

The first step to getting this help is to write a letter to the district special ed director requesting 'an initial full educational evaluation testing in all areas of suspected disabilities to determine if my child can qualify for special education services as mandated by IDEA law'.

You HAVE to use these exact words or they can find loopholes to get out of it.

Now, they will give you trouble when you send this to them and every step of the way.

The laws are very complicated and if you need help please email  me   [e-mail]

Answer 7

I know first hand how hard it is to get a child statemented as I have a son with Autism and it took me almost a year.  That said, a child with needs such as your daughters should not have to wait for the help she has a right to because the LEA is "stretched".  The SENCO at my son's primary school and also the Headteacher and Ed Psych had to push for it.  You need the backing of everyone involved with your daughters care.  We finally obtained a full statement, 32 hours and one to one support.  However, the struggle continues as we are now having problems accessing support from Autism Outreach, who really are stretched to the limit.  Keep plugging away.  I wish you and your daughter the very best of luckxx

Answer 8

You need to get your daughter assesed by an educational psychologist. You should be able to be referred to see one by your GP or you could try writing a letter of self-referral and arrange for your daughter to see an educational psychologist that way.