Starting your journey

I am often contacted by families at the very beginning of their journey into the world of special educational needs.  They often feel that their child is struggling, but are unsure where to find help, and what to do next.

In case it of help, here are the top three ideas I invite families to consider as part of exploring if their child may need additional support within their educational setting. 

1. Think about your evidence

- What are your key concerns? I always recommend keeping a diary of dates and behavior, even if you are not sure what the triggers might be. It may be that you will spot patterns as you continue to make a log of events. 

- How will you explain your concerns when speaking with a professional? I find it helpful to write my thoughts down so that I can best describe my concerns in a formal setting. This also helps me to remember a clear and concise explanation when speaking to SENCo’s, GP’s and Caseworkers at the Local Authority. 

2. Speak with your school’s SENDCo

- Who is the SENDCo? Every school has a SENDCo and it is their job to identify a child with special educational needs, assess them and provide support. The details are of the SENDCo are usually available on the school’s website.

- What are the teacher’s experiences of your child within the school environment? Is it the case that your child is becoming dysregulated in the school environment, and you are receiving calls home about their behavior? Or maybe your child internalizes their anxiety and masks at school? It can be helpful to start that paper trial of voicing your concerns via email to the school (however trivial you think they may perceived to be) in order to build a picture of any additional support a child may require. 

3. Speak with the GP about being referred for an assessment

As it is widely reported, there is currently a very long waiting list for assessment for neurodivergent conditions. If you feel that you have a diary of evidence, speak with your GP about the possibility of referring your child for an assessment. There are also private assessments available for families who feel that would be an option. 

It can be a long journey to securing the right additional support for your child, and there are many layers to explore. As your child changes, so does the support they require, and I find it helpful to think of the process as an ongoing part of parenting rather than reaching an ‘end goal’.