[senco-forum] Assessing and diagnosing for dyslexia

It is not that they won't read it, it is just that they can't read it.

On 20/03/08 08:06, "SEN at tringham.net" <SEN at tringham.net> wrote:
<snipped>
> It is not that they won't read it, it is just that they can't read it.
> ...
> I thought that just sending an EP report to school would get the right help
> for my children but it didn't.
> ...
> So - get the report anyway.  I tell parents at least it is a 20 page
> document to beat someone over the head with.

> Then get someone to explain it to you.  Arrange to see the EP again as it is
> like going to the doctors - first time you visit the information goes right
> over your head.

>  Next get a BDA befriender ( or advocate from organisation who deals with
> the child's problem NAS/RNID etc who will be able to understand the
> document.

> Translate it into actual support that can be done at school.

> Give list to school with an highlighted copy of the report

> Most are only to glad to be pointed in the right direction as long as it is
> couched as ' I have had terrible trouble trying to understand this report. I
> think it means this.... What do you think?  Are these the sort of strategies
> that you would choose?  Are there any resources I can buy the school that
> might help others with xxxxxxxx?
> 
> Works wonderfully.

Sharon,
       a brilliant tactic, if I may say so.

In addition, might I suggest that a parent could take a look at a 6 page
booklet produced by the charity Afasic?

Their guide: <http://www.afasic.org.uk/pdf/Proposed%20Statement.pdf>
"The Proposed Statement: What to look for in a child's statement of special
educational needs" explains simply how to read and analyse not just
statements but, more importantly, reports from professionals.

This guide teaches you how to identify and collate the bits of the report(s)
that properly describe the special educational needs _and_ the special
educational provision.

I believe that it can be educational using this approach, particularly
when/if you discover that there are significant things missing from reports
and/or a statement.

It may help to refer to one of the Special Educational Needs Regulations
that are printed inside the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. On
pages 150/151 is Regulation 7 which describes the information that LEAs are
supposed to be seeking when conducting statutory assessments (and
reassessments).

Paragraph 2, particularly the first section of sub-para (c), seem(s) most
significant:

"(2)        The advice referred to in paragraph (1) shall be written advice
relating to -
(a) the educational, medical, psychological or other features of the case
(according to the nature of the advice sought) which appear to be relevant
to the child¹s educational needs (including his likely future needs);
(b) how those features could affect the child¹s educational needs, and
(c) the provision which is appropriate for the child in light of those
features of the child¹s case, ..."

If this information is not available, how can anyone make informed decisions
upon appropriate provision for a child?

Regards, Mike
also a parent
-- 
Mike Boyd <mike at green43.demon.co.uk>