I have sat in many EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) meetings and have often contributed and raised questions on various aspects of the content with my professional hat on.

This week I received a copy of my son’s EHCP and I was surprised by my own thoughts and feelings towards it.

With my knowledge and professional experience I had been able to ensure that the EHCP process for him was started early, the right evidence submitted, and that I had the relevant conversations with the appropriate people.

I prepared my son’s EHCP as I did others. I was thinking of it as a document rather than considering how a parent may feel reading the information it contained.

Being on the ball and preparing the EHCP for my little boy had sped up the process and I was happy to pick up his EHCP from the post office, amidst my many online orders, many months before he starts reception in September. It took me a fair few days to read it and I wasn’t really ready for my reaction when I did.

It saddened me.

It saddened me because of its very nature, it explained the ‘deficits’ in my boy. I read it and thought I was reading about a stranger because this child on paper is not the child I spend my days with. It’s not the child who has always made me laugh, much more than he will ever make me mad.

Don’t get me wrong, the professionals had been insightful. I had contributed heavily and it’s a true reflection of sorts, but still, I couldn’t help think that this document was not a true reflection of my Alex. They had missed his warmth and sense of humour. They had missed his tenacity and ability to warm a room when he walks into it.

My functional mind understands why he needs this and why the document needs to be written in this particular manner, but the mummy in me wants to ensure that anyone who comes into contact with my boy understands that he is more than the ‘deficits’ described. He is my son, the boy I see potential in, and will invest in to ensure that he reaches his full potential. He is cheeky, infuriating at times, but has the kindest smile and is shaping me into the woman I am becoming.

My only hope is that whoever has to make a judgement about my son based on this document looks deeper than the words written on the page. I also hope I have extended this same understanding to the families behind the numerous pieces of paperwork I have had the privilege to read.