SALT.Is going private worthwhile?(very long)

[sugarfree]

Ds3 is 2.8.
The day before his second birthday(October) he had an initial consultation with SALT.Measuring him as 1.11 he had a moderate delay,measuring him as 2.O he had a severe delay.At that point he said "yep" "Nuh" and "Mam".His understanding was at 15 months and his vocal ability was at 12 months.
SALT gave us some things to do at home(special time,emphasising keywords in a sentence,waiting for him to 'take turns', giving him choices etc.)
and I am fanatical about these being a priority.
He was seen again in January and I'm expecting another appointment to come through for July.
At the moment he has about 60 words,at least 90% of those are 'made-up' and no-one outside the family would understand.
Now and again we get a two 'word' sentence,eg."Ca-ca uppie-up"
He doesn't imitate,and we have noticed that if he says a new word and we positively reinforce he goes all shy and we never get that word again.
I dug out some literature SALT gave us in October and thare is a 'Start Up List of 100 words".He can say 6 of them,has his own version or sign for 39 and understands all of them.

He's due to start playgroup in September,and while I appreciate that may really bring him on,I'm worried that if no one understands what he's trying to say,he'll give up trying.I really don't want to add selective mutism to the mix!
We attend a fortnightly singing group for toddlers,which he thoroughly enjoys.

We've just started Makaton as I noticed that he does use his own signs for some words and I've read that it works well in speech delay.Thanks to Justin Fletcher I now know that Ds3 does know his colours even though he calls them all'boo'.

So,thank you for reading this far and in your expert opinion....
Would he benefit from private speech therapy(alot more often)?
How do I find one?
How much should we expect to pay roughly?
Do you have any other tips for me?
Is there anything else I hould be doing for him?

He's reached all his other milestones at the 'right' times and socialises well with other children,so I'm not worried about any other aspects of his development.

Sorry for rambling on....

TIA

[lukesmama]

Hi

Your story sounds much the same as mine DS is 2.7.He has about 15 words and lots of gestures, his understanding is fine and he has reached all other milestones on time.He was seen by a SALT for an assessment at 2.4 but I was told that due to workload they would not be able to see him again for about another year, when he would be 3.5 years.
I have decided to see a speech therapist privately and they are seeing DS next week.I started by looking on the official speech therapist in private practice website, www.asltip.co.uk I think to find a list of therapists in my area.Otherwise see if anyone you know can recommend one.
She is charging £90 for the assessment most were charging around this amount, and ongoing sessions were £40 I think.
I hope this helps, and hopefully our DS's start talking soon.

[sugarfree]

Cheers mate.You'll never guess which website I've been looking at for the last half hour!

[sugarfree]

Let me know how your assessment goes?

[Piffle]

How is his understanding?
I ask as dd had profound delay, 4 words at 32 mths
Classed as non verbal but as her understanding was great the SLT (very understaffed in our area) let her be
Now she is 3 yrs 7 mths on and amazingly now has no speech delay at all
If the understanding is not there then I would definitely recommend it, if he understands and communicates well non verbally, then I would let him be a little longer, try to relax and then review after he is 3 maybe?

[lukesmama]

Hi Piffle

Good to hear a positive story about your DD.
My DS understands everything,so am hoping he too will catch up with his talking.
Do you mind me asking when your DD started talking more.It is just nice to hear from others who have been in a similiar situation.

[sugarfree]

I remember reading something about your little one's speech delay on here before Piffle and that it gave me a great deal of comfort.
His understanding is good I think,he can follow quite complicated commands...such as
Ds3"Bee?"
Me "You want a biscuit?"
Ds3 "yes" or nod.
Me "Okay,take one for Ds1 and Ds2 as well then"
Ds3 Takes three biscuits and gives one each to his brothers.
(I cried happy tears the day that happened,I had been so worried about him)

But I really don't know how much of an abstract idea he would follow,and it's hard for me to judge because he doesn't have the vocab to talk to me about abstract ideas.But then I can't remember what other 2.8 year olds are like.

I know you shouldn't compare but when we go to Singing Group and I hear others his age and some alot younger babbling away about last weekend or next weekend or after my birthday etc,it sets me off worrying again.

[sugarfree]

And I just realised that 2.8 = 32 months(can you tell he's the third?

[sugarfree]

I think I have a plan...
Go for July appointment and ask for reassessment,I would like some kind of concrete evidence of his progress and a benchmark for playgroup.
Continue Makaton.
Review again after Christmas i.e One term of playgroup at 39 months.

What do you think?

[Hamandcheese]

IME even where there is some NHS SALT, it limited and more helps. Also my experience round here is that private SALTs are very busy and have waiting lists of months for regular appts, although they can do assessment more quickly. If I were you (and I'm not) I'd call a local private SALT (or two) just for a chat about options and their opinion. Our local one is busy enough not to make work for herself by recommending you to do more than is appropriate.

Cost about £60ph. Our initial assessment was a whopping 5 hrs (!!) but did cover a huge amount as there was a lot to assess (our litle boy is verbal, with speech sound and social communication difficulties). Her detailed report was very useful - esp as it showed his good understanding so I could remind playgroup that it was a speech problem and he's not failing to understand so don't 'talk down' to him.

As well as the main website - try phoning and asking your NHS SALT and / or their team secretary, who'll know who is working locally.

Maybe I'm neurotic, and I'm fortunate enough to be able to pay for some private sessions. My son is starting semi-regular private sessions at age 3.6, and I wish I'd started at age 3.

best wishes!

[Piffle]

One day when she oooh let me see just over 3yrs as she had just started saying one or two more things.
the all of a sudden it seemed, she just talked in full sentences
she ahd her SLT review 3 mths later and ping
discharged
Was frighteningly quick but it has been so pleasureable to be part of. Keeping up the talking to your ds now, I found dd watched when I talked, she watched my mouth, I figure she was wanting to be able to do it all perfectly before attempting it
After all this is the child who cruised for 16 mths before walking
DD did come on really well after starting one nursery session.
Like your ds, she knew all her colour - you asked her to point to red/blue and she would, she could also count on her fingers and she knew all her shapes.
Also when she started talking I found she knew al her alphabet too.
So once she started talking her development went way up!
DD also had her own signs for "together" and she nodded and shook for yes and no for ages.

[Piffle]

I think following two stage commands was not tested until after age 3 from memory...

[sugarfree]

Bumping for the weekenders

[sugarfree]

Blatent attention seeking!