How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis for a Child in the UK
CAMHS waits stretch years. Learn the clinical referral pathway, the NHS Right to Choose option, and how to access ADHD educational support before any diagnosis arrives.
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All articles about United Kingdom SEN Assessment Decoder.
How to Challenge Your School's Interpretation of an EP Report
When the school says your child is 'fine' but the EP scores say otherwise, here's exactly how to challenge their interpretation with clinical evidence.
Best SEN Assessment Guide for Military Families Moving Between UK Nations
Your child's EHCP doesn't transfer to Scotland. A Welsh IDP isn't valid in England. Here's the only guide covering all four UK nations for military and mobile families.
Best EP Report Guide for Parents: How to Read Educational Psychologist Scores
Standard Score 78. Percentile Rank 7. Processing Speed Index 81. Here's how to read your child's EP report and know when the school is downplaying the data.
SEN Assessment Guide vs SEND Consultant: Which Is Worth the Money?
A SEND consultant costs £110+/hour. A structured SEN assessment guide costs under £30. Here's when each option is the right choice for your child.
Private vs Local Authority EP Report: Does It Carry the Same Legal Weight?
Private EP reports carry equal legal weight to LA reports at SEND Tribunal — but only if they meet specific requirements. Here's exactly what makes them valid.
CAMHS Waiting List: What to Do While You Wait
CAMHS waits stretch two years or more. Learn practical steps to access school support, private options, and how to escalate a crisis referral in the UK.
Alternatives to Paying £800 for a Private EP Assessment in the UK
A private educational psychologist costs £670–£800. Here are the alternatives — including how to force the local authority to assess for free.
Speech and Language Assessment in Schools: How to Get SALT Support in the UK
Schools rarely proactively request SALT assessments. Learn how to trigger a speech and language assessment, what it measures, and how to get provision written into an EHCP.
Private Educational Psychologist Cost UK: What to Expect in 2025
UK private educational psychologist costs range from £600–£900 for a full assessment. Here's what's included, how to choose, and when it's worth it.
Private Dyslexia and Autism Assessment Costs in the UK (2026 Guide)
Private assessment costs £300–£1,200 in the UK. Learn what you get at each price point, whether the LA must accept private reports, and how to maximise their impact.
Occupational Therapy Assessment for School in the UK: What It Covers and How to Get One
OT assessments measure fine motor, sensory processing, and handwriting difficulties that affect school. Learn how to request an OT assessment and get it specified in an EHCP.
Moving to Scotland with an EHCP: What Happens to Your Child's Support
An EHCP has no legal force in Scotland. Learn what the Scottish ASN system requires, what timeline to expect, and how to protect your child.
EHCP Not Valid in Wales: What Happens When You Move
An EHCP loses legal force the moment you move to Wales. Learn how the Welsh ALN system works and how to get an IDP issued without losing provision.
Can School Refuse an EHCP Assessment? Your Rights Explained
Schools cannot refuse a parent's right to request an EHCP assessment — but they can make it harder. Here's what the law says and how to bypass the gatekeeping.
Auditory Processing Disorder Assessment in the UK: A Parent's Guide
APD is often misidentified as hearing loss, ADHD, or autism. Learn how it's assessed in the UK, how long it takes, and how to get APD provision into an EHCP.
1:1 Support in an EHCP: How to Get a Teaching Assistant Specified and Funded
Getting a TA in an EHCP is harder than it should be. Learn how to argue for 1:1 support, how it must be specified, and what to do when the school uses the TA for everyone.
Sensory Processing Assessment in the UK: How to Get One and What It Shows
Sensory processing difficulties affect how children learn, behave, and regulate. Learn what a sensory assessment involves, who conducts it, and how to use it for EHCP evidence.
WISC-V Results Interpretation: What the Scores in Your Child's EP Report Actually Mean
Decode WISC-V standard scores, percentile ranks, and scaled scores from your child's Educational Psychologist report — and use them to argue for support.
SENDO 2005 Northern Ireland: What It Means for Your Child's SEN Rights
The SENDO 2005 strengthened disability rights in NI schools. Learn what it requires, how it interacts with statementing, and how to use it.
School Refusing Autism Assessment: What Parents Can Do in the UK
School says your child doesn't need an autism assessment. Learn your legal rights to bypass the school and demand statutory assessment directly from the local authority.
EHCP Evidence Gathering Checklist: What to Collect Before Requesting an Assessment
A strong EHCP request is built on evidence. This checklist covers every document, report, and record you need before writing to your local authority in England.
Dyslexia Assessment at School in the UK: How to Get Your Child Tested
Schools rarely initiate dyslexia assessments without pressure. Learn your rights, the assessment process, and how to force the system to act in England and the UK.
Autism and ADHD Assessment Through School in the UK: Your Rights Explained
School-based autism and ADHD assessment routes in the UK are slow and inconsistent. Learn how to trigger an educational assessment and what to do when CAMHS waits stretch.
The ASL Act 2004 Scotland: A Parent's Guide to Additional Support for Learning
Scotland's ASL Act 2004 gives parents statutory rights to request support, challenge decisions, and access a Co-ordinated Support Plan. Here's how to use it.
How to Get Your Child Assessed for SEND in the UK: A Complete Guide
A step-by-step guide to requesting a SEND assessment across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, including timelines and what to expect.
The EHCP Postcode Lottery: Refusal Rates and What to Do If You're in a Bad Authority
Walsall refuses 60% of EHCP requests. Waltham Forest refuses 0%. Your child's chance of getting assessed depends on your postcode. Here's what to do about it.