The following are ideas for you to think about if you are writing a report about an older child.
General health
Eating and sleeping habits; toileting; general fitness, and absences from school; minor ailments - coughs and colds. Serious illnesses/accidents - time in hospital. Any medicine or special diet? Any sight or hearing problems? General awareness, tiredness, overactivity, use of drugs (tobacco, alcohol, solvents, illegal substances).
Communication
Level of signing or speech, in English or home language, explains, describes people or things that happen, gives information (eg messages to and from school), joins in conversations, uses telephone.
Physical skills
Sitting, balancing, walking, running, climbing, riding a bike, paying football or other games; drawing pictures, writing, doing jigsaws, using construction kits, household gadgets and tools.
Self Help
Level of personal independence - dressing, toileting, etc; making bed, keeping room tidy, coping with day to day routines; sorting out pocket money, general independence - getting out and about on own.
Use of spare time
How does your child spend spare time? Watching TV, reading for pleasure and information, hobbies.
Activities outside
Belonging to clubs, sporting activities
Relationships (getting on with people)
With parents, carers, brothers and sisters; with friends; with other adults (friends and relations), at home generally, ‘outside’ generally. Is your child a ‘loner’?
Behaviour at home
Share, listens to and carries out requests, helps in the house, offers help, fits in with family routines and ‘rules’. Good and bad moods; co-operation, tantrums, tolerance levels.
At school
Getting on with other children and teachers; progress with reading, writing, numbers, other subjects and activities at school. How the school has helped or not helped with your child. Have you been asked to help with school work, such as hearing your child read. What happened? Does your child enjoy school? What does your child find easy or difficult? Does your child go to supplementary school?
Religious information/beliefs
Are there religious, race or cultural issues which need to be considered in your child’s education?
What are your views on your child’s needs?
- What do you think your child is best at?
- What are the main difficulties?
- How do you think your child learns best?
- What are your views on your child’s needs?
- Are there any other things you think are important?
What are your child’s views?
Add your child’s own views, either written down or as you understand them.
