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Original poster

speech dyspraxia

16 replies

greedygreedyguzzler · 12/02/2011 11:47

I knew my 3.4 yr old dd had a problem with her speech, but being stupid i was very relaxed about the whole thing and kept thinking it would improve on its own (which it is, but very slowly)

anyway, she has finally had some speech therapy and obviously i feel like the worst mother in the world because they have now said she has verbal dyspraxia.

one of her main problems is, she is a complete chatterbox! doesnt stop talking for a second, strings huge long sentences together..................it is just it is virtually unintelligable to strangers and it only seems to be me, dh,dd1 and ds who can understand her.

she doesn't get too frustrated by it at the moment, but she is so happy and confident that i dont want her to get to a stage where it knocks her confidence and affects her personality.

we have been recommended to send her to a special pre school with a SAL enrichment group where she will recieve some really intensive therapy.

SO, my only problem is, this is 40 min drive from my house and i am not sure how i can physically get her there with my other two dc in 2 different schools as well!

so my question is (if anyone is still reading!).........has anyone tried one of these 'enrichment groups'? is it worth it or should we see how she goes with her NHS SALT and a private SALT as well? she has only had 2 sessions of SALT so far, so i dont know how quickly she could respond.

dont know what to do!!!

OP posts:
hairtwiddler · 12/02/2011 16:23

Bumping your thread for you. Know not a great deal about this but suspect language unit nursery would give lots of specialist input.
Can you ask them what the outcomes are for kids with verbal dyspraxia who fo there? Also ask your salt what the evidence is out there for intensity of treatment (as a salt who works with adults not sure this would be out there but worth asking).
Good luck. She sounds lovely. Hope the therapy helps her be understood by others.sounds like she's got lots to say!

SummerRain · 12/02/2011 16:31

Ouch, that is a long drive.

I'm afraid my limited experience is of oral dyspraxia (he could well have verbal dyspraxia as well but as he's completely non verbal who knows!) but i think if the SALT feels her difficulties are severe enough to warrant a specialised preschool I'd give it some serious consideration.

Write up a list of pros and cons and try and find solutions to the cons... ie, you could find out if anyone else is travelling from where you are and offer to car pool

justaboutfrayingattheseams · 12/02/2011 17:48

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PositiveAttitude · 12/02/2011 21:48

Our DD3 had oral and verbal dyspraxia and was fortunate enough to get a place at a specialist SALT unit for the first 4 years of education. It was absolutely fabulous and I can only say that she came on so much with the intensive therapy, it made a huge difference to her life.

She is now a confident 16 year old. She was able to talk well enough for others to understand her by the age of 8. If you met her now you would not know there had ever been a problem.

I would really urge you to seriously think if there is any way you could work with this opportunity. It will certainly be the best for your DD.

Dont feel guilty about not getting things sorted sooner, it sounds as if your DD is a confident little girl, that is brilliant, and I am sure that is because of your laid back approach. To be honest, not a lot could have been sorted before this age and a lot of the professionals would have just said "wait and see", so dont beat yourself up!!

Original poster
greedygreedyguzzler · 14/02/2011 12:40

thank you everyone! still not sure what to do!
would some intensive private speech therapy be just as good or not? it wouldn't would it? i am just trying to find some easier alternatives........but not getting very far!

OP posts:
justabouthappy · 14/02/2011 13:00

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PositiveAttitude · 14/02/2011 13:04

Hi GGG, personally, I dont think you would be able to get the intensive therapy without the unit, but thats just a personal POV. When DD was at a specialist unit it was all geared to SALT and was just so fantastic. I also feel that because she was not the only one there with problems, her confidence rocketed as she felt "normal". Every staff member she came onto contact with was so intune with the speech issues that they ALL encouraged and worked together.
In a "normal" place you may get some good staff, but will they all be expert at helping DD and understanding her problems?

Maybe, if the problem is not too severe, then some private intensive therapy might kickstart DD into the right direction, but I have to say that it would not have been enough for our DD to get to where she is now.

I DO have sympathy with your situation, I dont want this to sound all heartless, I am just saying what I have found good. Have you visited the special nursery yet? Go and ask a million questions before you make your mind up!

Good luck with your decision. Smile

PositiveAttitude · 14/02/2011 13:08

Sorry, can I just add that if you bite the bullet and do the 40 minute trips I know that your DD will improve quicker and so it could only be for a period of time, not necessarily for the next 5 years!!

I do agree with JAH though, if you have been offered a place I would jump at it. Most people have to fight like mad for that sort of opportunity.

justabouthappy · 14/02/2011 13:08

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Original poster
greedygreedyguzzler · 14/02/2011 21:58

ok, been talking about it with dh and we have decided to go for it! i guess we couldn't really decide anything else could we!?

not sure how we will get around getting all 3 to differnet schools for 9 o'clock yet, but i am sure we will figure it out!

thanks for all your words of wisdom!

OP posts:
PositiveAttitude · 15/02/2011 07:27

Good good good!!! I am sure you will figure it out. Good luck with it all. Smile

ChickFlit · 15/02/2011 07:34

I'm not in the UK but my DS with ASD goes to a specialist unit twice a week which is a 40 min drive for me and I had DC2 in a different school. I've managed to get a taxi to take DS1 to his specialist unit (it's paid for under his medical care but maybe your local LEA can help you out). They pick him up from his school take him to his unit and then bring him home to the door at the end of the day. It may be worth looking into for you, will help with the logistics and also the petrol bills.

justabouthappy · 15/02/2011 13:44

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Original poster
greedygreedyguzzler · 18/02/2011 18:29

they have said they will provide a taxi and chaperone, but i am a big softie and there is no way i could pack her off in a taxi, she is only 3!

we will sort something out!

OP posts:
PositiveAttitude · 19/02/2011 17:04

Oh no, take them up on the offer. I do know how you feel, but she will be fine. DD3 did it and she had a lovely chaperone who adored her. She loved going off in the car and being dropped home. It would save you running round like a mad thing!! Perhaps she could go one way in the car to start with, while you are taking your ohter DCs to school, then you pick her up???

bubble2bubble · 19/02/2011 17:43

DD1 went to a language unit age 4 and I drove her 40mins each way for a few weeks and then took their offer of transport.
It was dreadful ( for me, not her ) at first but she was honestly absolutely fine and had a lovely driver who treated her like his own grandchild.
It was heartbreaking at the time,but Dd1 has made mindblowing progress - she has verbal & oral dyspraxia. I know that in a mainstream primary she would have been completely lost.

Good decision - hope it goes well Smile

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