Yr 3 Reading - advice please! (bit long)

[nevertoomuch]

Had parents evening and been told that DD is behind with reading and is not on track to meet end of year targets. The good news is that teacher has put into place some extra help. I not that surprised tbh, I have had concerns which I have raised several times but always reassured that it will come. Now teacher has said that DD cannot explain what she has just read, or does not seem to understand it, but she can do this when the teacher reads the story?
DD has never enjoyed reading, always struggled with applying phonics, fluency, using punctuation. She prefers non fiction - probably because there are usually fewer words and no plot to follow. She reads to me nearly every day.
She failed phonics test Yr 1 and only passed by 1 mark on the re-take Yr2. At the start of Yr 3 I self referred her for a SALT assessment which she has had and now waiting full assessment (been waiting 4 months). The concerns are not speech as such, more processing/immature language/ordering words etc. Should I ask for SENCO input at this stage or wait until SALT assessed? Would the school be able to accelerate the assessment? Teacher did not mention SENCO.
This is the first time she has actually been flagged up not to meet a target and I just don't know how to help her or if I need to get the school to do more? I could also be panicing! I just don't want to look back and think I should have done more.
The school is an outstanding, DD had NQT's for last 3 yrs.
Anyone had similar experience or advice?

[Ferguson]

Having NQTs shouldn't be a problem, as one would expect them to be using the latest methods, and be working hard to 'prove' themselves.

I guess to wait for the SALT results (but maybe chase them up) before involving SENCO.

What has she been like during nursery, Reception, Yr1 and Yr2? Children do progress at different rates, and being 'slow' in the earlier years doesn't necessarily mean real problems later on, but it does probably sound a warning.

Does she have siblings? What was her speech/language like as a baby/toddler? What sort of toys and activities has enjoyed at home over the years? Does she go to any clubs, in or out of school? Have there been any trauma or 'upsets' when she was younger?

I think you need to try and consider all these queries, to discover if anything throws any light on what she might be experiencing.

[nevertoomuch]

thanks Ferguson
She is an only, so nothing to compare with apart from school friends. I am really starting to notice a difference in development in relation to her friends and the 'not meeting target' has just confirmed my gut feelings. In pre school I remember the very experienced leader commenting on her lack of speech and I suppose I just put it down to being 'shy'. She has never enjoyed imaginative play, referring crafts. In Yr 1 it was commented that she needs to 'get her thoughts in order'. She has many friends, and goes to several clubs and she is great fun with a good sense of humour.
I suppose I am trying to establish if she is delayed or is there something more fundamentally wrong. I just wish the SALT assessment could happen sooner:(

[nevertoomuch]

sorry, preferring crafts