Speech and language delay plus developmental delay - advice needed

[juneau]

DS2, aged 2.4, has been diagnosed as having a speech and language delay of 6-12 months. This is due to persistent glue ear (I reckon he had it for about that length of time, so the delay matches the amount of time he wasn't hearing very much). He had grommets fitted in May.

We managed to get him some private SALT while waiting for the NHS SALT to begin and the private therapist assessed him as also having a developmental delay of approx. 10 months. The NHS therapist who he started with this week said that it's quite normal for a child with SALT issues to have a similar developmental delay - particularly when that child simply wasn't hearing for months on end. We're pretty worried though as DS2 has two years until he starts school and as a May birthday who will already be at a disadvantage to his autumn-born peers, add a 10-month language and development delay and you've got a really significant difference between him and the other DC in his class.

I have three questions and I'd love to hear from anyone who has insight into this (particularly anyone with professional experience):

1. How likely is it that the developmental delay is directly linked to the SALT issues?
2. Is there anything we can do to help him overcome the development issues? We're following the suggestions from SALT regarding play as a way to help with the language issues.
3. Do DC with a development delay often 'catch up' or is this unlikely?

MN special needs children forum is full of posters with invaluable knowledge about this issue, why don't you try and post there?

Thanks - I'll get it moved.

I don't know how to find the SN section any more. My tuppence is: DS is summer born & had a moderate speech delay and I don't think the speech delay has been important in holding him back. Other issues, yes, but not resulting from speech delay. hth.

lljkk Here is the link
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs

Both my boys had speech & language problems, with developmental delays defined as about 12 months plus. SALT were very helpful but in addition, I requested an assessment by a Developmental Paediatrician.

Whilst continuing with the SALT, I would see if you can get a referral to the Paediatrician for an assessment (worth doing sooner rather than later as can take up to 8 weeks for an appointment), who should be able to answer many of your questions and observe any particular issues. If nothing else, it would put your mind at rest.

I agree, do re-post onto the Special Needs forum as there are many other parents, like me, who have been down this road and even some 'professionals', I suspect, who may be able to give you more advice.

Good luck

Thanks sophj. Finding this so hard to get my head around at the moment. I'd accepted the speech and language delay, but this has really knocked me for six. We're so busy at the moment too (building a house and project managing it ourselves), plus DH is being a completely unsupportive arse at the moment. I just want to cry

juneau... then you should (cry that is)! I have no problem allowing myself that outlet, it can be a release and have even been known to shout into a pillow!! Allow yourself a little grieving time, that's how I see it - grief for the 'normality' (whatever that is), which evades me.

My DH is not unsupportive but was very slow at wanting to realise any issues were there. I was the one who insisted there were problems, sought referrals and attended all the meetings. I filled out all the forms, made the phone calls and sought information on the internet and solace & advice from forums, such as this. It is very overwhelming I think in this society to have anything that is not deemed 'the norm' and can feel very lonely. That's why places such as Mumsnet are such a vital resource to ask questions, seek advice and share the daily, hourly struggles with some 'virtual friendships'.

and x

It just makes what is already a struggle even harder when your DH reacts in an inappropriate way. My DH's reaction to most things is to go crazy, and then gradually to calm down and be more reasonable. Consequently, I dread telling him anything remotely controversial, because I know I'm going to have to deal with his reaction before I get anything moderately useful from him. Today he is being a bit more helpful, but it's better when he's at work - and at least I can put the phone down on him if he's being an arse.

I'd love to have a good cry, but there is no privacy in this tiny house. I just can't wait to move so we're not all living on top of one another.

What are you concerned about? Social skills? other skills such as for example, potty training, reading, being able to listen and follow instructions, general independence in doing things for himself? there is such a big difference in skills when childen start reception, in terms of development.

One thing you should do is play lots of listening games. Play with pots and pans and spoons and encourage him to make lots of noise, clap hands, listen to music (all kinds of music, jazz, classical, children's music) and to listen to the differnet sounds. If you have a keyboard show him the high notes and the low notes and point out the differences. Make lots of noises yourself, car noises, plane noises, trains, etc. Tell him often to listen to (whatever is going on around, police siren, car, motorbike, door bell, telephone, etc...) so that he learns to 'tune in' to his environment. If you type in google 'listening games' you should be able to find some good ideas. One game I played with DS was to play 'sound hide and seek' where you hide in a room with a little bell or a rattle and every few seconds you make the noise, and he has to find you. Or you can put lots of different things that make a noise in a big sac and you put your hand in and make a noise, and he can try guessing what it is (if his speech is developed enough). Hope this helps.

Thanks blueberry, that's very helpful. I will look online for some listening games we can play. I've started taking him to a music class where they play different instruments and there is lots of joining in and I sing to him every day.

What am I worried about? Bottom line - I'm worried about the origins of the developmental delay. If its all part and parcel of his speech and language delay then as we get to grips with that, hopefully the developmental delay will follow suit and he'll have a chance to catch up to his peers.

If it's something more than that - something he was born with - then its obviously going to be a much bigger, long-term issue. So that's my main worry.

If you have concerns about his general development you should speak to your GP to refer him to a pediatrician. They will be in a better position to assess both his physical abilities and mental development.

I have been through this. DS2 is now 6 and is catching up with his peers at school. He has a speech disorder (Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia) and has low muscle tone (possibly general dyspraxia but it's very mild). If you are concerned it's better to see someone now about it, so that they can monitor his progress.