Would a Hanen course help?

[Poshpaws]

Hi.
DS2 (3.4) has speech/language delay and he has SALT reviews every 3-6 months.

Over the holidays, I have noticed that his receptive language is more delayed than his expressive.

For example, he understands 'what', 'where' and 'who' questions, but not 'did you have a good day at nursery?' or even 'Are you ok/alright?'
When he first started speaking, he used to say 'ok' to questions that required a yes answer. He then progressed to 'yes,yes' then for about 3 weeks he said 'yes' but now has gone back to saying ok. Not such a big problem until you ask him 'is daddy home yet?' and he says ok!

He will tell you what he is doing 'playing power ranger red', but I suppose I am more concerned about him not understand the art of conversation.

He starts school in Sept 2009 and I know that in terms of development he has a lot of time to improve. However, his speech therapist has mentioned the Hanen course in the past and I was not too sure. Now, I am thinking that if it can help with the conversational aspect of speech and language, maybe I should consider it.

Any replies would be great.
Tx

[Poshpaws]

Just wanted to add that I am not expecting him to necessarily chat away 19 to the dozen, but am concerned about his level of understanding.

[Poshpaws]

Bump. Anyone done this course ?

[TotalChaos]

Hanen is primarily aimed at kids with at most 50 words. So you will find it is aimed more at boosting expressive speech and children who aren't able to put together expressive speech than at helping with the art of conversation. Having said that, as a parent to a child with speech delay who can talk in sentences who has recently started the Hanen It Takes Two to Talk Course, I still think it's well worth doing the course - not least because you get 4 SALT home visits, where they look at you interacting with your child, and can make individual recommendations about how to get your child to the next stage of speech/conversation.

Also there will be advice about extending conversational turns and/or having your child take "better" conversational turns. So go for it.

[Poshpaws]

Thanks for the response TC.

Will defo speak to his SALT about it then.