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Original poster

Speech Therapy Experiences

9 replies

Freudpenis · 18/01/2023 11:06

My son has a mild speech impediment. He's now 7. He struggles with Sh J and L. Nursery brought it up with me but I had been worrying before they spoke to me. I asked for a referral to SALT and finally got one maybe in 2021 by video call. They wanted to adopt a wait and see approach as he was apparently still within the normal age range for struggling with sounds.

We've had worksheets but I've struggled to get my son to produce the correct sounds at home. We've had a few face to face 6 monthly Appointments but the therapist wears a mask. I would have thought exceptions would be made for speech therapists. At the most recent appointment the therapist said he can do them we just need to practice. I feel he'd benefit from more regular practice with a professional. I remember kids being taken out of class for therapy on a regular basis. Doesn't this happen anymore?

Just wondering how others have found NHS SALT. TIA

OP posts:

Wnikat · 18/01/2023 11:12

In my experience they have massive waiting lists and therefore unless the speech delay is very severe and having repercussions in the rest of the child's life they will just tell you to get on with it yourself. The threshold for regular treatment is very high.

Original poster

Freudpenis · 18/01/2023 11:17

Wnikat · 18/01/2023 11:12

Thank you. Maybe private is the way to go. Their waiting times are very long too.

OP posts:

MummyHopeful2 · 30/01/2023 21:28

Sorry this is happening to you, op. I'm currently going through similar with my 9 year old ds.

Does anyone know how much private speech therapy costs?

And

How I can go about finding a reputable therapist?

I wish you and your son all the best, op. It is a worry.

Interested in this thread?

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7 year olds

AnotherFamilyUpset · 30/01/2023 21:37

We used a private speech therapist for my then 6yo who had a slight lisp. We think this was because during lockdown he didn't get as much practise with his sounds (there was no physical reason why he couldn't say the correct s sound, he just hadn't learnt how). We paid about £200 for 5 sessions which completely fixed the issue. We did some practise at home along side the 30 min sessions and then a few weeks reminding our son about the correct sound so he was doing the correct sound more often than the list, and has been lisp free for over a year.

We found a speech therapist by searching on the internet and giving one a whirl. They could have come into his school to do it but the wait was long for that, but we paid to be seen on Saturdays at her clinic. We might have lucked out finding someone really good. It was during early 2022 and no masks on her or the child (although I wore one while sat at the session).

We were lucky that we could afford the £200 but it was the best money we've spent. What was helpful about us doing Saturday sessions was that I was there in the room so could then remind my son (using the techniques the teacher used as I'd watched them). If he did it at school I would have been clueless to help at home.

BendingSpoons · 30/01/2023 21:48

It is quite area dependent. I would offer more therapy than that (NHS but lucky to be in a fairly well funded area) buy PP is right in that if he can say the sounds then it is essentially practise needed. You can work up from single sounds to with a vowel e.g. La, Lee, Lu, to short words, longer words, sentences. I haven't worn a mask for long time. We had an agreement to wear visors fairly early on and now nothing.

If you want a private SLT, look up ASLTIP (Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practise). Or if they aren't registered with them (there is a charge which is not worth it if you just have a few private clients aongside NHS), you can check they are registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council).

BendingSpoons · 30/01/2023 21:51

Oh and in the SE/London I would expect to pay around £80ph for a session. Maybe £50 for a half hour session (you wouldn't need an hour for pronunciation work). It will vary if they are travelling to you or you to them. Plus will vary based on area I'd assume.

Bingobangodrinkacanoftango · 30/01/2023 21:59

I support children with SALT. Happy for you to PM me and let me know a bit more and give you some advice. He’s very little and those are later sound to develop so really don’t worry. NHS wait lists are crazy and private is so expensive.

MummyHopeful2 · 03/02/2023 09:17

Thanks

Lubrana061302 · 03/02/2023 09:29

Currently going through this at the moment with my almost 6 year old. His teacher flagged it up as she says his inability to say and blend certain sounds was frustrating him and holding him back in class. I had just put it down to age. Tried for ages for NHS but eventually gave up and went private. £70 for a 45 minute session. I'm in Scotland. We have been for about 4 or 5 sessions so far and It has worked wonders for his ch, sh & J sounds and we are currently working on 'sss' which is proving a bit more difficult. if you can afford it I would highly recommend going private. Even just for a few sessions so you have the tools to help at home.

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