Where do we go next with DD's speech? Anyoen with any experience?

[dontknowwhattodonow]

DD is 2.3 and was diagnosed with an expressive speech delay 3 months ago. She has had one SALT appt, where she was diagnosed, and since then, I have attended several sessions for parents, based on the It takes two to talk book. SALT has also been to observe DD at nursery and given her keyworker some activities to work on with her.

I'm just not sure where we're heading and what we should be doing/expecting - DD only uses single words, she can totally make herself understood, communicating through single words, gestures, pointing etc and understands everything we ask her to do. Do we wait and see, or shoudl I be doing something more proactive? Would it be ok to email the SALT to ask what they propose for her? In the letter following her first appt, it said she would be seen in 8 weeks, that'd have been about 4 weeks ago but no apt sent through.

Now is the time! DS2 had the same,at the same age as a result of glue ear. SALT were very good, but you need to speak to nursery and ensure they implement all the measures,boards etc. Do the same at home, every day. Get on to SALT. Get home based activities- basically everybody needs to be doing them ALL of the time. Push push push is my advice...get everything in place now to avoid problems later. She is in key language acquisition stage and obviously coping well if she can make herself understood. But, pull out all the stops now.

thanks, Mum.(!) I feel so guilty as many of the things we were advised to do with them are things that are virtually impossible when you work full time and have other children - during the week I barely get to spend any time with DD. I was offered groups to go to but with work that is impossible. I will be meeting with nursery soon to ask what they were advised to do and what they have been doing. We have wondered if we should try and find a private SALT as DH is about to get a pay rise, we could probably manage.

I feel so bad that I can''t spend the time with er and wonder if this is why she has ended u pin this situation.

My DD is heading in this direction and we are currently waiting for a SALT appointment. If you dont mind me asking, OP, what type of things have they asked you to do, so maybe I can crack on with it while we are waiting? Thank you!

Don't mind at all, but not sure that I'll be much help. It was mostly about letting your child take the lead in conversation in play/daily routine, and waiting and listening to them, how to ask questions in such a way that they 'have to' give an answer. The best thing I would recommend is getting hold of the book It Takes Two to Talk, it is really expensive but if you can get it from your library, it gives ideas.
I had very structured activitites with DD1 but she was older when I referred her to SALT (due to stammer) but I guess DD2 is too little to do this type of thing.
GOod luck , I hope you get the help you need for your DD.

DO chase the appointments - they do get lost. Also to give you some hope, DD had a speech delay which made it really hard for her till she was four at preschool, she started school this September and it's a hundred times better now and her confidence has really soared. Sometimes just talking and talking with them really brings them on. :)

1. Have you had a copy of the report on your daughter with the targets the SLT has set? If not, ring and ask, you certainly should have had it.

1. Talking Point is probably a site you have been given before? Helpful for expectations and activities.

1. Ask for a weekend group. You won't be the only parent in the same position. If they make unhelpful noises, you could look at setting a parent-led one up, perhaps at the children's centre?

1. Re private SLT - I would get the NHS report and the next appointment (ring and chase them - sorry to advise it but it can really help, amazingly they will be 'just about to put the appointment in the post' when you call). Yes your dd is in a big learning period but she's also quite young - the vast majority of late talkers at this age will be absolutely fine. If the report and provision offered don't seem like enough, consider getting a 2nd opinion/extra private input then.

Thanks. Will take a look at that book. Good luck with your re too.:)

My DS was just like your DD at that age (he's now 5). It isn't because you work - I am a SAHM and DS saw me all the time. DS's speech is perfect now, just like that of his classmates so hang in there, take the advice of the SALT and it should get sorted.

thanks everyone, your help and reassurance is really appreciated. I will contact SALT this week and see what is happening next. I have seen the report - IIRC, the actions were for me to go to the parent sessions, for SALT to go into nursery and advise, and for DD to go to a follow up appt, so I guess it is on paper that she should be seen.

I havent heard of Talking point, thanks, I'll take a look.