Hello! I'm looking for advice.
Any input or pointer will be much help.
My almost four year old has some difficulties with language and processing although I can't pinpoint.
He has had his hearing checked after a SALT friend advised it and does have some mild hearing loss in low frequencies which is in both ears but worse in his left. His middle ear canal is also sucked in. He will have a follow up appointment and have his hearing rechecked they are not concerned as it's very mild and he speaks well. I don't know if I should push for ENT referal as sucked in ear cannal can be linked and there is a family history of ENT isssues (althoigh all different)
The problem is like this. He seems very inconsistent. He can have difficulties with what appears to me Word Retrievel example ask for the thing to cut with instead of saying a scissors even if he had just been using it and speaking about it before. On the other hand he can remember detailed occurances from a long while back or retell stories from nursery or information about different cultures that he has learnt. He is quite expressive but can get stuck on basic words.
Another thing is that he also seems to switch off at times and not know and a 10 minutes later know perfectly without him telling him.
When he is busy or distracted he often doesn't hear me and when he is spaced out won't answer what I asked even if I'm right next to him - unti I really raise my voice.
When he is anxious his words do get stuck more.
Other than that his gross and fine motor skills are fabulous. He is very lively, quite sensory seeking, loves messy play although his work is very neat.
Oh and I don't know if it comes in at all or an unrelated ssue that he needs help but he does seem to have some contradictions with his bowel movement too. His face turns beet red with effort but his bowel movement is runny (sorry for the detail). He also complains of stomach ache which passess quickly.
I don't know who should I take him to or if I should take him for an assessment. His nursery are not concerned but it does worry me and he does seem stuck and blocked from reaching his potential.
Thanks for reading my long post.
Any advice or pointers will be greatly appreciated.
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Behaviour/development
Auditory processing /word retrieval /ENT Help! what to do
smilingmum1 · 29/12/2015 00:08
Making sure that you are in the same room helps 
- use what works - so, touch is good and a pause to allow for him to re-focus before speaking.
Rapid retrieval is the speed with which we can produce known information - one typical test is a sheet with a series of colours and you have to name them as quickly and accurately as possible. There are similar tests using objects, letters, numbers.
Phonological processing is basically seeing the patterns in language - so, spotting words that rhyme, use the same initial letter/sound, being able to break words down into smaller and smaller parts and rebuild them and so, it underpins reading and writing.
Short-term memory difficulties are relatively common but often not picked up in bright kids because they compensate. The reason I bring it up again is it can go hand-in-hand with phonological difficulties or rapid retrieval issues.
I would go back to your Salt friend and ask them where to go next. A lot depends on what you want out of the situation. Ed. psych's do reports and recommendations - so, an overview and you have to get it put into practice. Salts would do the language based testing and could suggest a programme - again, it would be down to you to either fund a Salt or do the work with your DS.
And finally, have you spoken to your GP about the bowel movements? That would be my first port of call.
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