Q:

We have just received the draft EHCP which gives the primary diagnosis as SPLD - but my stepson doesn’t have dyslexia - he has ASD ( private ...

We have just received the draft EHCP which gives the primary diagnosis as SPLD - but my stepson doesn’t have dyslexia - he has ASD ( private diagnosis that is referred to in report) and global learning delay ( private diagnosis not referred to in report) - can we query this?

ZB

Zoe Bucknell
22 Sep 2021

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A: SenseCheck

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  • 25 Sep 2021
  • Yes

    Simple

    Yes you can ask. That shouldn't be a problem.

    For wider readers, SpLD stands for Specific Learning Difficulty. Some people might argue that autism is a learning difficulty that is specific to social and language development. However, there's not much support for this view. The issue could be as simple as it was drafted by a new ECHP writer who just misunderstood SpLD, so it could be really easy to overcome.

    In terms of SpLD, the SEND Code of Practice says that it encompasses a range of conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia - so if your child presents with, for example, dyspraxia, then this might be why a prime need of SpLD was chosen (although it's unusual to get a prime need of SpLD for dyspraxia).

    For children who have global learning delay, they are more likely to have a need of SLD (severe learning difficulties) than SpLD.

    Not uncommon:
    - Prime need: SLD
    - Secondary: ASD

    Uncommon
    - Prime need: SpLD
    - Secondary: ASD

    SLD / SpLD acronyms are pretty similar - perhaps it was even a typo!

    But you're right to just talk to your local council's SEND team to them first.

    Aaron King

    Aaron King
    9000 Lives SEND Consultancy

  • 24 Sep 2021
  • Yes

    Simple

    Yes you can. It’s in draft and therefore the LA should give you plenty of opportunity to amend it. Also I would ensure that the diagnoses are included in Section B as well. I also removed any reference to “private” diagnosis from mine.

    L C

    L C
    Parent of a beautiful autistic and ADHD girl