What information do I need to give for the assessment?

If the local authority decides to go ahead and make a statutory assessment, it must ask for the following advice:

  • educational advice from your child’s school or nursery
  • medical advice from your child’s doctors or other health professionals, e.g. a paediatrician, speech therapist and occupational therapist
  • psychological advice from the authority’s own educational psychologist and possibly a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist
  • advice from social services where relevant
  • your advice
  • the advice of anyone else you tell the local authority about who can throw light on your child’s difficulties, e.g. a family member, health visitor or Sure Start professional
  • your child’s views – directly from your child where possible but otherwise through you or your child’s teachers or other professionals

It will help your child if you give as much information as possible when you’re asked to give advice as part of a statutory assessment. Think about the following points about your child:

Birth and early years

When did you first notice any problems? Did anyone else notice? Did you get any help?

Health

Eating, sleeping, medical issues.

Play

Does your child play with brothers and sisters? Do they join in games, just play alongside or take no notice of other children? Do they play with one object or one game most of the time or do they like to play in different ways? Do they watch a lot of television or play computer games a lot? Do they take part in outside clubs or sports?

Physical skills

Is your child more or less active than other children? Do they repeat physical movements? Do they walk strangely, e.g. on tiptoe? Do they have problems with noise and light? How well do they use small objects such as spoons, scissors and pencils?

Communication

Does your child speak? Do they understand speech? Do they make eye contact when you communicate with them? Do they use face and hand movements, such as pointing, to show feelings or get what they want? How do they get on with brothers and sisters and other adults?

Behaviour

Does your child know how to share and take turns or do they find this difficult? Are they able to listen and explain their feelings or do they get frustrated and have tantrums? Are they happy and outgoing or aggressive and withdrawn?

School

Does your child enjoy school? Do they have friends and do they get on well with teachers? Have they experienced bullying? Are they often in trouble? Can they manage homework and follow instructions? Have they been getting extra help at school? How does the school see your child’s difficulties? Are they getting worse? What help do you think they need?

Your child’s view

Your child’s behaviour may be the best clue to how they feel about their life. If possible, talk to them about:

  • what they like best and least at school
  • what they are good at and what they find most difficult
  • examples of where things go wrong
  • and examples of what helps them overcome problems.