Cameron’s story

My 12 year old Cameron has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder) and Sensory Processing Disorder, which prevented him from attending main stream schools.

Once we had found a school that could support him, we realised he needed an EHC plan (Education Health and Care Plan) in order to continue with his education. Faced with the confusing process and difficulty in getting practical advice, I turned to the ADHD support group for help, and they suggested I see my local SENDIASS team.

They were able to advise me on the evidence I needed, how to present it, and the stages of the process. They were also able to attend meetings, and throughout the processes it was hugely beneficial for me to have someone to talk to who understood the situation.

Without SENDIASS’ help I doubt we would have been able to present our case properly to Achieving for Children. Consequently the EHC plan would probably not have been granted and we would have had to challenge the decision, which would have been an unnecessary legal expense for both the Local Authority and ourselves.

Thanks to our successful EHC plan application Cameron is now thriving in school and is about to start his GCSE courses next term.

We are now in a similar position with my 10 year old son, who has DCD, sensory processing disorder, auditory processing disorder, anxiety and dyslexia.

We are gathering information for his EHC plan application at the moment. When that is done I will be asking for SENDIASS’s assistance once again to ensure that we have the right information presented properly for the EHC plan, and I am confident that with his help we will be able to get what my younger son needs without having to go to appeal.