Not happy with speech therapy service

[Alwaysasking]

My ds (4) has immature speech sounds to the point of anyone other than his teacher and family not being able to understand him. Speech therapists say he has a lack of concentration, struggles to follow 3 part instructions and the sound delay. However, he has been discharged from their services! I am livid.

His teacher and a pediatrician have since expressed concerns, and the doctor has asked for ds to be reviewed. However he has never actually been given speech therapy or worked directly with a speech therapist, they just keep 'reviewing' him and sending me on the odd course to help him. The doctor recently said she's worried it will start impacting on his socialising with other children who don't understand him as their play becomes more verbal.

The speech therapist has contradicted herself, not sent reports to the correct people, been IMPOSSIBLE to get hold of and basically been rubbish. Health visitor and teacher implied all the speech therapy services in our area are the same and find them useless unless the child has behavioral issues.

I'm at my wits end, we complained to speech therapist's manager who said they would be in touch within the week and surprise surprise we have heard nothing 4 weeks later. I'm hoping the letter from the doctor will be the kick up the arse they need but somehow doubt they will suddenly start working with ds. I wish wish wish we could afford private speech therapy for him because I'd do it in a heart beat but I'm a single mum on a low wage currently so it's impossible.

Does anyone have any wise words or advice on what I should do next to help ds?

Contact iCan charity. They are brilliant.

Complain again and keep complaining. Ask for a copy of the official complaints process. Ring and keep ringing. Don't wait for them to get back to you.

You are right to be concerned but you also need to be dogged in your approach. Then if no joy after a month contact MP. Don't faff about when it comes to SALT because it makes a huge difference to children who need it.

Thank you for your reply. Ican look amazing I will ring them tomorrow. I will also complain again tomorrow to speech therapists and hound them until they do something! I just wish I can money to go private, but then get angry thinking I shouldn't have to, the service should be doing more!

No wise words, I'm afraid. Just wanted you to know you're not alone. My DS2 is now 3.10yrs and has been under the speech therapist for almost 2yrs. In that time he's had 3x 20minute speech therapy sessions, how on earth is that going to help? I feel like it's a constant battle. His nursery have now decided to give him an IEP in the hope we can work together to help his speech. But I feel there was a window of opportunity last Summer, which was missed and if we'd had help then he would be doing so much better now.

Like Katie said, keep ringing them. I know it's time consuming but it's clear they won't get back to you. And as for discharging him? That's crazy! Let us know how you get on.

From my own experience... I wonder if those courses are designed to help you and him find some techniques and give you advice on to work on his speech sounds at home at school? I found them to be great and saves you lots of trips back and forth for appointments and pulling him out of school / taking time off work. After all, you are only with the therapist for half and hour at a time, their job is to give advice and guide you to support them the rest of the time.. If they haven't given you this type of advice then possibly worth looking for a second opinion - maybe from a manager or one off appointment with a private speech therapist? ( Although from past experience, private doesn't always mean you get better therapy! )

Good luck with them, it is a tough process to go through. Wishing you all the best. Keep trying until you get an answer.

Wow, you have my sympathy- sounds like a really frustrating situation.

Couple of questions:

Do you find the courses useful? Have you used the techniques at home with any success?

Have you reported the situation to PALS? Remember to submit your paperwork and highlight the contradictions and get your teacher and GP to annotate it.

What area are you in?

Have you considered or the school suggested a play therapist to help with the social aspect? To ensure that the speech delay doesn't impact upon your son's emotional growth whilst you sort out the speech issues?

As far as I understand children are only ever given 6 weeks with the speech therapist, as the idea is that you are supposed to do the exercises at home with them.

Schools don't receive much either - just the expectation that the already-busy TA will be able to find time to fit in a set of regular exercises.

So it is not a great system...

Did you receive any materials to refer to?

We live in Cheshire, haven't heard of PALs I will have a look at their service this morning. The last course we were sent on (the 'you make the difference' course) was useful but it was 2 years ago. In total we attended I think 3 course but all a few years ago.

We are lucky in that ds' school is fantastic and the teacher and TA are working really hard to help ds. Although his speech sounds are the same. The only advice I have really had is not to make a point of correcting words, just saying "Yes, c-a-r-p-e-t", sounding it out correctly but not telling him he's wrong IYSWIM.

Two years? Good grief.

It's great to school are co-operating, make sure you include their statements on your complaint.

I have very little direct experience of speech development, but if you want to PM me I can share a bit more about what I know and what you can ask for.

Would you consider to pay privately to get quicker care? I know you shouldn't have to, but is it an avenue you've thought of exploring?