S&L clinic referral - unsure what to expect

[muppetthecow]

Just that really. DS (20m) is getting quite behind with his speech (still only has about 3 recognisable words) and we've had our referral through to be seen at the children's centre next week. The letter was a bit vague really, just an appt time, and I wondered if anyone had any advice/experience on what to expect when we get there? Not even sure if it's likely to be a group session or one-on-one...

When we started we had a short 1to1 triage appointment where they did puzzles and looked at books with DD. They decided she needed a full assessment, that was another day, 1 to 1, lasted an hour and was a booklet of pictures and DD was asked various questions about them.
It was then decided that she needed some group sessions these were more like playing.

Oh, she was 2 and a half when we started.

Thanks Cocky. I have issues with the unknown not that I'm a control freak at all so it's nice to have an idea

My dd had speech therapy for a few years and was very sad when her sessions were no longer required. Involved lots of different games and loads of fun. Had homework to do in between to reinforce the session work. The first session will just be an assessment and as your ds is quite young won't be too intensive I think. Good luck :)

Listening skills, and maybe checking there are no physical or structural problems. But mostly little games to boost listening skills. tips for you, too, on how to model correct speech, make eye contact when speaking, too. Lots of homework!

An assessment for a 20 month old will probably be just a case history and a play session. In the case history they will ask you things like is there a family history of language problems, how is he in developing in general, any hearing concerns etc. If the child seems willing the play session will just be to check his understanding of instructions and how he interacts. Most therapists are very good at making the children and adults feel comfortable.

Thanks everyone! I'm glad it sounds like it'll be fairly informal as DS has a real 'thing' about the docs/hospital/HV's office. After three A&E admissions and a paediatric admit in the last 6 months I don't blame him tbh; I think he's been poked and prodded there one too many times!

I'm really happy that the appt is for before DC2's EDD as well (I'm 38+2) - it's one more thing ticked off the list before all Hell breaks loose

Good to read this thread as my DS2 has an SLT assessment next Tuesday. He will be almost 28 months by then & has 10-15 words if you count animal/vehicle sounds. He has had one hearing test which showed fluid in the ears leading to some loss of hearing, the audiologist believed & he has another hearing test the week after his SLT assessment.