Got referral through for speech therapy, what to expect?

[susan198130]

Hi

My son's nursery have referred him for speech therapy. Not because of his speech - although they are concerned that he doesn't understand everything they say (he'll be 4 in July). I have just got my referral through and we have our first appointment in a couple of weeks. I just wondered if anyone knows what to expect? Will it be just to assess whether he needs it or will it be to actually start the therapy?

Just to add, he is being referred to speech therapy as they have concerns with his social interaction (or lack of!) but this is the only way they know how to get him into the system and to the right place.

assessment and lots of questions first
has he had a hearing test?

My dd (3 is currently under speech and language and my ds used to be (or possibly still is).

Most recently with my dd we had an initial appointment where one therapist talked to me about my concerns and how she communicated and spoke. While the other played with my dd chatting to get etc

They then left it a few months and the therapist came out to my house for a second assessment. She basically played with dd and asked her questions and then gave me some feedback. They suggested some things for home and school. They've also been out to her nursery twice to assess, support and observe. She is a little behind but not massively.

With ds who was 4 at the time we only had the initial chat because I knew he didn't have a speech problem. He had a language communication problem eg autism.

I went with DD when she was 2.5, she was a slow talker (isn't the case now she's 5 believe me!).

At her 2 year check I was concerned so the HV referred us on the basis that it would take a few months for the appt to come through but a lot could change over that period of time.
At our first meet up the (very lovely) ST talked to us, listened to my concerns and then played with DD, tried to get her to talk, gave her instructions/asked her questions (I assume to check her hearing/understanding). It was very relaxed and we didn't have to go again, she had no major concerns but did pass on some notes to DDs nursery for her key worker.

I think the first appt would just be to assess what his needs are and the best way to move forward.

I went with DD when she was 2.5, she was a slow talker (isn't the case now she's 5 believe me!).

At her 2 year check I was concerned so the HV referred us on the basis that it would take a few months for the appt to come through but a lot could change over that period of time.
At our first meet up the (very lovely) ST talked to us, listened to my concerns and then played with DD, tried to get her to talk, gave her instructions/asked her questions (I assume to check her hearing/understanding). It was very relaxed and we didn't have to go again, she had no major concerns but did pass on some notes to DDs nursery for her key worker.

I think the first appt would just be to assess what his needs are and the best way to move forward.

Thanks for the replies. No he hasn't had a hearing test. He seems to be able to hear fine though. The other day, he said "mummy can you hear that noise?" and I said yes it's a car, then he said "I can still hear it!" but I could only just. If I call him when he's downstairs and I'm upstairs, he'll generally respond (depending on what he's doing - when he's playing, trying to get his attention isn't always the easiest thing!).