It is most commonly the parent who realises that something isn’t quite as it should be with their child – long before their first day at school.<\/p>\n
Getting access to specialist services can be a painfully slow\u00a0process, even taking years before a final diagnosis is made.<\/p>\n
During this time, you\u00a0may hear different terms of specialists bounced around, all of whom have long waiting lists and with many who are quite happy to\u00a0pass your child’s case on to someone else.<\/p>\n
This is where polite persistence is essential and knowing who you want your child to be assessed by is key.<\/p>\n
One of the best ways to get the help you need is to access peer support. Parents who have already been down the route with their child can offer practical advice about how to get through the door of the community paediatrician or give you some empathy as you explain how long you have waited to see an occupational therapist.<\/p>\n
Finally, remember, just because\u00a0your child’s issue\u00a0doesn’t happen in school does not mean a problem does not exist. If you are sure your child has a need or condition that is being missed, don’t let it go.<\/p>\n
GP<\/strong> Health Visitor<\/strong> The health visitor can offer advice on minor illness and also make further\u00a0referrals to specialists, including speech and language therapists.<\/p>\n School Nurse<\/strong> Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)<\/strong> It can be a long arduous process getting your child to be seen by CAHMS and extreme persistence is likely to be necessary.<\/p>\n Community Paediatrician<\/strong> These doctors will carrying out assessment of children with problems affecting their development such as autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.<\/p>\n Occupational Therapist – OT<\/strong> Speech and Language Therapist – SALT<\/strong> Educational Psychologist – Ed Psych<\/strong> Makaton<\/strong> Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator – SENCO<\/strong> Common Assessment Framework (CAF)<\/strong> Individual Education Plan (IEP)<\/strong> It should include; learning targets within time frames, who will support the child and how, methods used and how the parent can support this.<\/p>\n The IEP should be discussed with the child and the parent or carer given a copy. Progress meetings should be made with further targets set.<\/p>\n IEPs should also reflect advice given by external specialists.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is most commonly the parent who realises that something isn’t quite as it should be with their child –<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[185],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sensory-ideas"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nA GP is usually the first point of contact for most parents with concerns. They should always refer you on to specialist services, and in this respect, you may find your health visitor or school nurse better placed to spend necessary time with you filling in the complex referral forms.<\/p>\n
\nHealth visitors are trained nurses who specialise in supporting and working with families until their child reaches their fifth birthday.<\/p>\n
\nOnce your child has reached statutory school age, the school nurse will take over from the health visitor. The school nurse will also be able to make referrals to services such as CAMHS.<\/p>\n
\nCAHMS is a service aimed at helping children\u00a0who are experiencing\u00a0difficulties with aspects of school, family life or life in general.<\/p>\n
\nCommunity paediatricians are specialist doctors, working with children whose health problems create issues in every day life.<\/p>\n
\nAn OT, works with children and adults for whom specific activities cause difficulty. This could be help with writing, using sensory aids, helping with coordination difficulties.<\/p>\n
\nSALT helps children and adults with communication difficulties, such as difficulty speaking, difficulty understanding language or difficulties using language.<\/p>\n
\nAn Ed Psych, is a person who is trained in psychology, particularly understanding about the way children behave, think and learn. They may also be a qualified teacher. They can be called in to find out why children are having difficulties in school.<\/p>\n
\nMakaton is a language programme which uses signs, symbols and speech to help people communicate. Signs are used with speech in spoken word order. Signing can\u00a0helps non-verbal children or those with communication difficulties to communicate their needs.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This is a form of communication using cards with pictures on allowing a child to express their needs. The system was originally designed to help non-verbal children with autism, with the system of cards becoming progressively more difficult until whole sentences can be communicated.<\/p>\n
\nThe SENCO is the person at your child’s school who will over see the day to day\u00a0running\u00a0of the school’s SEN policy. They should work closely with parents, carers, school staff and outside agencies, to provide an inclusive environment. They should also be making sure that children with SEN are being given equal opportunities as well as quality teaching with their needs in mind.<\/p>\n
\nWhere a CAF panel still exists, the voluntary system aims to work with children and their parents\/carers, to identify extra support that may be needed. A lead professional will put together all the problems that you and your child are experiencing, which will then go before a panel of professionals. An Action plan will be agreed with you, aiming to get everyone involved with your child working together and offer the right support before needs increase.<\/p>\n
\nAn IEP is drawn up by the school to help them and the parent identify a child’s needs, especially areas of difficulty.<\/p>\n