How Can I Prove My Son Has Learning Disabilities?
Q.
I have a sixteen year old son, who is constantly getting in trouble with his teacher and course work at school.
I feel my son has a learning disablity and have tried to get the support of the school in getting him tested. However they say that 'it takes time' and believe my son is just lazy and disobedient.
I feel as if I have no options left and don't know how I should go about getting my son the help he may need. What do I do?
A.
Here's the main thing you should know: state schools are required by law to do everything possible to meet your son's Special Educational Needs (SEN). There is a step-by-step programme in place that the school should be following. This approach is outlined in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. If your son's school isn't taking action, or the things they've done so far haven't helped enough, you can request a statutory needs assessment.
It's extremely important to identify a child's special educational needs as early as possible. Your son is developing academically, emotionally and socially during this time. Instruction that fails to account for his special needs will not prepare him adequately for the years ahead.
The first contact is your son's teacher. He or she should have already implemented the basic modification to instruction known as School Action. This might include an extra adult to help with his work, preferential seating or a different method of instruction. If these basic changes don't help, then your school should bring in outside professionals to assist. This level is known as School Action Plus.
Statutory Assessment
However, it doesn't stop there. If your son's school is unable or unwilling to provide him with all the help he needs, then you should ask for a 'statutory assessment.' You can apply for this assessment with your local authority. However, please discuss this step with your son's teacher or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) first - you need allies in this process, not enemies.
Several weeks may pass before the assessment begins. It will start with interviews of all persons involved with your child to get a clear picture of his needs. Then the authority will decide to write a statement of SEN or tell you reasons why it will not.
Make no mistake, this process will require persistence on your part. You need to be in constant contact with your son's teachers and with school officials. If you need to take matters to the local authority, then you will begin interacting with them as well. It's possible the local authority might not provide the help your son needs. In that case, you should continue to talk with his school. If your situation allows it, you may need to investigate the possibility of helping him yourself.
In any case, you will need to budget a large portion of your time to this issue until it is resolved. It may be difficult, but it's that important.
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