Services that can help with diagnosis

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The following services can help with a diagnosis:

Schools

Teachers in local authority schools and government-funded nurseries are expected to meet the needs of children with special educational needs (SEN). They might have a teaching assistant to help them do this.

The special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) is the teacher in a school or nursery who is responsible for organising the support for children with SEN. The SENCO will provide support to other staff and liaise with the local authority to make sure the child gets the help they need. They won’t always work directly with your child.

Schools will sometimes ask for a statutory assessment of a child’s educational needs or they may help you make a formal request. The SENCO will organise periodic reviews of your child’s individual education plan and statement of SEN. At these points they will usually invite you to discuss your child’s progress with the school.

Local authority services

Local authority services for children, including education, are now combined into Children’s Services Authorities or Children’s Trusts. Professionals will now work more closely than before, but they still they operate under different legislation and often separate funding.

Early years key worker

Under the Early Support scheme, young children with complex needs and their families may be allocated a key worker or lead professional. They could come from health, education or social care services.

The key worker’s main roles are to provide information to you and other professionals and to co-ordinate the help available from various services. They should act as a contact point, helping you understand the system and find your way through all the services, including benefits, transport and education.

The key worker will take responsibility for agreeing a Family Service Plan with you and reviewing it regularly. The plan is included in the Early Support Family Pack. This is an information pack, that’s given to families of newly diagnosed babies and young children. The plan will usually list the services that will be provided and give details of who will do what.

Education services

Education services for children with special educational needs (SEN) are provided under the Education Act 1996 (as amended). This details when your local authority should offer extra support for your child. Professionals working within education services include:

Educational psychologist (EP)

An EP is generally a qualified teacher who has additional training as a psychologist. They assess children for learning difficulties and can suggest ways teachers can help a child with SEN. All local authorities have an educational psychology service but some EPs work privately.

Special educational needs officer

A special educational needs officer (or Named Officer) will be your contact with the local authority if your child is having a statutory assessment or already has a statement of SEN.

Parent partnership service (PPS)

Every local authority has a parent partnership service, which helps parents of children with SEN in their dealings with schools and local authorities.  Parent partnership officers will support parents whose children are having a statutory assessment leading to a statement of SEN. They may also offer parents help via an independent parental supporter – a volunteer who is trained by the PPS.

Social services

Social services for children with disabilities and other needs are provided under the Children Acts 1989 and 2004.

You can write to your local Social Services department to ask for an assessment of your child’s needs. Social workers can also offer support and advice on services such as play schemes, parents’ groups and short breaks.

Social workers and care managers are involved in assessing the care needs of people with disabilities and their families. They’re also involved in arranging help to meet those needs.

If you don’t have a named social worker or care manager and need urgent assistance from social services, ask to speak to the duty social worker at your local department.

Health services

Your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is likely to get involved if there are concerns about your child’s mental health. These services are based at local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). PCTs are the local part of the NHS, including doctors’ surgeries. They will be able to recommend counselling or other mental health services your child might benefit from.

Various health service professionals can diagnose your child’s difficulties and/or offer help. These include:

Paediatricians

Paediatricians specialise in children’s health and development. They may diagnose your child with autism and offer support.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are often involved when children have mental health difficulties. They may diagnose your child with ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) and offer support. They are able to prescribe medication.

Clinical psychologists

Clinical psychologists help children with specific problems, such as overcoming behaviour difficulties. A clinical psychologist may diagnose your child with autism and offer support.

Health visitors

Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwifes with additional training in child health. Some areas have specialist health visitors who have experience of children with disabilities.

They visit families at home when they have children aged under five and give advice on childcare, development, feeding and behaviour. Health visitors can also help you contact other health services.

Occupational therapists (OTs)

OTs help children carry out everyday activities, such as using cutlery to eat. They can give particular help to children with autism, for example working on their fine motor skills.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists focus on physical and motor development. They can assess your child to see whether they would benefit from physiotherapy treatment. They can also give advice on equipment that might be helpful and teach parents how to help their child with day-to-day activities like bathing and dressing.

Speech and language therapists

Speech and language therapists can assess speech, language and communication difficulties and carry out therapy. They can give particular help to children with autism, for example helping them to use different communication systems.

Speech and language therapists are often involved in the diagnosis of ASD as part of a multi-disciplinary team. You can access support from a speech and language therapist on the NHS through a referral by your GP. If speech and language therapy is included on your child's statement you will be able to access it through your local authority.

Speech and language therapists often work closely with other professionals, including teachers.