At what point should I get private speech & Lang for toddler?

[Calmingvibrations]

Just that really! I have a 2.5 year old with both speech and language delay (I.e his understanding is behind too, not just speech). I think he has about 30 words and is slowly (very!) picking up more. So we are moving in the right direction.

We are under SALT NHS and get a 1:1 apt every few months. They observe him, bit of interaction and then give me some tips on how to encourage his development.

I’m not unhappy with the above or with anyone we’ve seen - but I’m realistic about what the NHS can always offer given all the constraints. Also I’m aware that there are plenty of kids who are in a worse position and therefore should be higher up any list to receive more intensive help.

We could try and find the money for some additional private input if it would be helpful, but have been told that essentially as he’s so young Id only be paying for someone to give me the same kinds of advice I’ve already been given. And that the important bit is me consistently doing it at home.

I’m not against this approach but I don’t want to look back and wish I’d done more to get him to help.

Any thoughts?

Hi @Calmingvibrations, I have a ds that sounds very similar though having just turned 3 he has improved ALOT. He also has a receptive language delay aswell as expressive, and I always worried if it was more than just a speech and language delay as there isn't much info on a child with problems understanding language. I found NHS speech therapy absolutely useless as they never offered him 1:1 though 6 months ago he could barely say a word!!

Everytime i did research autism would come up and although it was worrying the more research I did the more I realised that ds was only fitting into the speech and language part of the criteria. Upon my research I came across ABA therapy. I don't know if you have heard if this before but it's a therapy used to help children on the spectrum but can be useful for children with speech delay and other developmental delays.

I'm so glad I started him on this programme as we were also looking into getting him private salt at 70 quid an hour weekly! ABA is also very expensive but the amount of hours you get is completely upto you and it much more intensive than an hour a week. Within a month my ds started repeating words when promting, putting together small sentences and requesting toys, food etc.

He was at the same stage as your ds as you say you can see he is picking up words slowly but steadily, so when we started with the therapy he moved at a fast rate. Unfortunately his therapist was abroad the entire month of December she will be back in new years, I do feel this has stalled his progress but it has also given him the time to practice the new skills he has aquired.

ABA is quite expensive and the programme took a little time to set up, as there is a consultant who trains the therapist (And you as you should carry on using the techniques yourself) and the therapist who works with your ds. He started in November, made great progress and now we are awaiting the therapists return. If you are interested I can pm you further details. Also feel free to ask me any questions.

@Mum2prince so sorry for my slack response. Feel like I’m both disorganised and caught in a time trap!

It’s great to hear your DS is doing so well. I have heard of ABA but don’t know much about it at all - if happily receive any info if you do have it. I’ll google too.

I guess I’ll get a other SALT NHS apt in a couple of months. I feel a bit sad at times when I realise my DS can’t communicate relatively simple things, like hungry / more food etc verbally. Still, on a scale of problems, there are plenty worse!

Thank you again and wishing your son all the best.