statement

[Jessica-12345]

We are pushing with the school to get our son a statement and getting no where fast, I was wondering if its all down to money whether anyone knows how much they are and whether parents can pay the council themselves for one.

[Hidden]

I'm afraid things are not that simple. You could get an independent diagnostic assessment from Dyslexia Action or search for a specialist teacher in your area patoss-dyslexia.org/ who is qualified to do one. This might add weight to your argument but schools/LEAs are not required to take them into consideration. Before doing anything talk to Parent Partnership who can explain the process of statementing and could also provide an advocate to go to meetings with you parentpartnership.org.uk/

[kathy79]

My advice would be talk to either parent partnership or dyslexia groups, ipsea etc. Its all about doing your research. If you wish to go ahead then get all your evidence ready as in an assessment of all your childs issues dyslexia etc, this is education and any other issues such as health etc that may affect your child.also get samples of work, poor test results. Do your childs issues impact him at home? Poor memory, organisation etc etc

You can request a statment yourself, however its not something you can pay for! Its not an easy process to negotiate but determination and organisation will help you. Local authorities vary from area to area, so they will decide how much help would be needed.

[Edwilson]

Hi Jessica-12345 I agree with the two posts above but I think there's some other things to bear in mind as well. Obviously I don't know the ins and outs of your case so please ignore me if it's not relevant. My son has just gone through the statementing process and already you can see the school have started making changes to the support they offer. He's just started in year two and we started pushing when he was in the reception, in the knowledge that it would take a long time. Unfortunately for us it was a case of nag the school, in the nicest possible way and I have to say the teachers took it very well. Just constantly ask 'if they are doing anything', and 'have they noticed' and 'at home this seems to happen'. It's an awful thing to say as it means those kids who also need help but parents are easily fobbed off or don't realise there is an issue don't get the help they need.

The most powerful argument was that our son was absolutely aware of the work he was doing and is obviously quite bright but there was a disconnect between that and what he could communicate on paper and he finds that incredibly frustrating. This was brought home at a parent meeting last year when the school agreed to start the process his teacher said that she'd had a whole discussion about volcanoes with my son so she asked him to write it down. He did but you can imagine what it looked like and when the teacher asked if he could make it any neater he pretty much broke down in tears protesting that he was really trying! Ultimately the school agreed that without help we'd have a bright child who was being held back. Don't let them argue that your child is in the middle of the class and so is doing fine as it's not about just getting through its about your child achieving the best he possibly can!

I hope that's of help but if not please ignore!

[austinsmrs in reply to Edwilson]

Sounds like ur son has visual dysgraphia too my son has this very severe. Hope u get him sorted

[austinsmrs]

Hi. We have gone throu this process and just got our son a statement naming r son to go to a specialist school and all funded by the LEA. First you have don the right thing telling the school you believe there is a problem. Next you need to get an ed pysch to look at ur child and assess and the report needs to be written as if you may proceed to tribunal with all recommendations in. You give the school a copy of this report and meet with the senco at school to discuss wot action they r to take. If ur child is diagnosed severe dyslexia and by that i mean 5 percentile or below u have a case if above thisthey will stay in mainstream with help. U will only get a statement from the lea if u are severe and need hrs dedicated at school to help ur child. Is very severe u need to write to lea to request an assessment of sen they will say no of course v lucky if they say yes our lea said no and look where we got to!

Next if they say no u fill out tribunal papers and then u have to gather evidence ie school reports copy of work, low self esteem issues etc and then the lea may meet u at tribunal or agree to assess b4 tribunal. Have to wait 26 weeks then to the next stage. In all our fight took 13 months but we won because of good evidence, top reports and a fantastic solicitor specialising in SEN law. A MUST it cost us £2k but worth tbe investment as specialist school is £16to £21 k a year. Good luck

Dont let anyone tell u u cant get a statement 4 dyslexia u can but u have to be very persistant. First get that report either wisc, wiat test expext to pay between £100 to £500 pouns. If u live in the midlands area i can recommend some.