Special Educational Needs - are you concerned?

I think my child has special needs – how do I get them diagnosed?

The usual advice would apply here – talk to the school about it. They may well have a view about the likeliness of some sort of a diagnosis. However, it is worth remembering that a diagnosis of itself might not necessarily mean any difference in terms of the school’s approach or provision. There is increasing pressure on education authorities and schools to reduce the number of statements for special educational needs since they are incredibly expensive. Accordingly, a school needs to be able to demonstrate that it has put in place all sorts of strategies and reviews before there is any likely success at a statement panel hearing.

Having said that, there is also a move to put in resources earlier rather than later – an early intervention approach. So, it is well worth pursuing doggedly if you really do believe that your child’s needs are acute enough. If, however, it is simply a case that your child is ‘a bit behind’ their peers then it is extremely likely that their needs would qualify them for any additional funding – it is simply down to the school to find ways and means to address their needs through targeted teaching strategies.