"its the in thing to do theses days", just NO.

“It’s the in thing to do these days…”
I suppose most of you reading this blog post or social media post may have not heard the rage in the SEN community with certain politicians and education experts stating that:
“(parents get children a diagnosis) that route because they see all the add-ons that come with it and think this is bloody good let's go for it”.
And
“that their child needs an EHCP Cos that's the in thing to do as a parent these days who's going to turn around and say no who's going to do those initial assessments is it the nursery is in the early years is a key stage one is it gives that to him do we have to wait to secondary it's those type of gatekeepers that that I'd like to be reassured that they are securely in place”
An EHCP stands for an ‘Educational Health and Care Plan’, and they are legal documents that the education system which means that a child with additional needs get the support they need and is required for children who have a significant and long-term need for additional support.
Why is the statement hurtful.
There is so many reasons why this statement is upsetting, to many to list but here are my top two:
One) The statement implies that parents want their children to have additional needs. Which I assure you is not true. No parent has a child hoping that they have additional needs non at all. Parents whose children who have physical impairments, just want the world to be as accessible as possible to their child. Parents of children who are developmentally delayed behind other children their age, they want their child to be supported at their level and not to cause a problem to others education. Parents of children who are neurodivergent want their child to be able to access an education that is suitable for them and supports their additional needs. Parents of able children, want them to access a good education. For parents of children with or waiting for an EHCP, they are supporting the other children to have and education that is inclusive and supportive to each child’s needs.
Two) The raise in diagnosis, especially of neurodivergent conditions and mental health conditions are because as a society we are more aware and understanding of what it means to have: ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Depression and Anxiety. However, there is a long way to go. These children would be previously considered: naughty, the class clown, behind, think and/or failure. I can say that because before my dyslexia diagnosis age 8 I was that child.
Rebecca
Neurodivergent and Proud.