Sometimes it is known
when a child is born that he / she may have learning difficulties or a
disability.
Sometimes this is not known until later.
If your child has been identified as having learning difficulties or a
disability early on, it is likely that he/she will be seen by a paediatrician
(children's doctor), or will have help from support services such as
physiotherapy or Portage (Portage is a home-based programme which aims at
teaching parents/carers to work effectively with their children who have
learning difficulties or disabilities.
Referrals are made directly to the
service by parents themselves or professionals in health, social services or
education.).
You will be able to talk to your health visitor, your child's paediatrician or
whoever sees your child about his/her progress.
Who Can Offer Support?
If it seems likely that your child may need extra help to make progress with
learning you may be put in touch with the Portage Service or the Sensory and
Communication Support Service.
Staff from these services can provide advice and
support as well as structured teaching programmes to enhance your child's
development.
Your child may be referred to a Physiotherapist or Speech and Language
Therapist who would work closely with the Portage Service or Sensory and
Communication Service.
You may be put in touch with
T
Welfare Rights
who can support you and advise you about any
benefits you are entitled to.
You may be entitled to Invalid Care Allowance and/or Disability Living
Allowance for your child.
You can ask a social worker or the Citizen's Advice
Bureau about this, or contact the Benefit Enquiry Line (Freephone 0800 882200).
You may wish to contact a voluntary organisation that can offer support and may
put you in touch with other families (see voluntary organisations booklet).
You may request Social Services involvement to further assess needs to
determine appropriate support.
Nobody has told me my child has a disability or learning difficulty but I
am worried about his/her progress.
What Can I Do?
If you are worried about
your child's progress in any area including walking, talking, understanding
what you say, or learning things, do discuss your concerns with your doctor or
health visitor.
It may help to write down your concerns before you see the doctor or health
visitor.
You can ask them to write about your discussion in your child's
parent-held record book.
If you are not sure what your doctor or health visitor
means when they talk about your child's progress, ask for further explanation.
Often your doctor or health visitor can reassure you that your child's
development is normal.
If your doctor or health visitor share your concerns they may suggest that your
child's development is checked by:
A community paediatric team.
A hospital specialist.
A Child Development Team.
An Educational Psychologist (professionals who are experienced teachers as well
as being qualified in Psychology.
They work with Pre-School, Nursery School
staff and parents, offering advice and support with any difficulty which might
affect a child's development and learning.)
If you continue to be worried about your child's progress in spite of the
reassurance of your doctor or health visitor, it is possible to refer your
child to a member of the Child Development Team yourself.
What About Pre-School/Nursery?
Many children who have learning
difficulties or disabilities attend their local pre-school or nursery.
You can
approach your local pre-school or nursery and ask for a place for your child.
A
list of nurseries can be obtained from the Education Department, County Hall,
Durham.
It will help staff if you let them know:
What your child needs help with.
If your child needs to take medication.
The names of any doctors or other services who have been involved with your
child.
Some children do need extra support whilst they are at pre-school or nursery.
If this is the case, staff will ask for your permission to request advice from
support services such as an Early Years Advisory Teacher (a teacher who is part
of the Learning Support Service and who is specialised in the early years of
child development).
They are able to provide advice and support to pre-schools,
nurseries and parents, Educational Psychologist or Speech and Language
Therapist.
You can refer your child to the Educational Psychology Service if you feel your
child has special educational needs or is likely to need a statutory assessment
of their educational needs.
A statutory assessment is a detailed assessment of
a child's difficulties, strengths and needs to decide whether the child
requires more or different educational help and if so, what kind of help and
where this could be provided.
This may lead to a Statement of Special
Educational Needs (a document detailing a child's educational needs and what
should be done to help the child make progress).
Remember - You Have the Right To
Have your concerns about your child taken seriously.
Refer your child to the Portage Service or Sensory and Communication Service.
(This service is part of Durham Learning Support Service.
Specialist teachers
provide educational advice and support for children who have a visual
impairment, hearing impairment or multi-sensory impairment.
if you are
concerned about his / her development.)
Refer your child to a Child Development Team.
(The service consists of a team
of specialists (children's doctor, physiotherapist, speech therapist,
educational psychologist) who can be involved in the assessment of babies and
young children.
Following assessment, therapy and other help can often be
arranged for the child and support offered to children and their families.
There is an open referral system to the Child Development Centres, so referral
can be made by a doctor, health visitor, therapist etc or by the child's
parents.
Refer your child to the Educational Psychology Service if you think your child
may have special educational needs.
Seek advice from a Welfare Rights Worker or Citizen's Advice Bureau if you feel
your child may be entitled to benefits such as Disability Living Allowance or
contact the Benefit Enquiry Line, Freephone 0800 882200.
You can contact Parent Partnership at:
East Durham Education Centre
York Road
Peterlee
Co Durham
SR8 2DP
Tel: 0191 5873541