Speech therapist HELP please!

[Skyfall1]

Hi All,
My daughter is nearly 2 but barely has any words perhaps 3 at a max. My GP has put her on the list for a speech therapist but its a very long wait. I really want to get a private therapist to help her. Can anyone suggest anyone they have used ideally someone who comes to the home or who works on Saturday. But I am open to other options. Any recommendations welcome. I live in Croydon.

Have you had her hearing checked? Your HV should be able to refer you to both very quickly. My ds said very little at 2 but lack of exposure due to recurring infections and probably glue ear were to blame. Our experience was to do lots of sound making, singing, copying, blowing bubbles raspberries, just anything to make sounds. He did get there in the end with a little intervention and lots of input at home. By 4 his acquisition was really good and at 5 he has almost caught up but is lazy with pronunciation. It wasn't until I was asked if he babbled and made sounds that I realised he didn't often, plus he had an older sister who was keen to do and speak for him! HTH a bit.

I'm in the same boat as you, I've got an appointment with the health visitor, hoping they can check her hearing (but she does respond to sound when sleeping and hearing loud noises ) and if not will get them to refer her. The wait here is two months.

Contact ASLTIP - they are the membership organisation for Speech therapists. You can find them online. Also visit the ICan and Afasic websites for tips while you are waiting. Most early speech therapy is work with the parents on modifying their communication to help their child, and work on attention and listening.