is tongue biting linked with speech delay?

[mummyloveslucy]

My daughter is 3 in march and has very delayed speech compared to all the children in her nursery class. She is also always biting her tongue. She bites it up to 5 times a day either while eating or trying to speek. This is very distressing for her and I wondered if this could be linked to her delayed speech.
I would like her to see a SALT but the HV says wate until she's three. I know the waiting lists are long.Also does anyone know how much private SALTS charge?
P.S if there are any SALT'S on MN I'd love some tips to help her with her speech.

Can you speak to your GP instead of HV about it and be refered to specialist that way? It could be a medical reason, such as tongue tied which cannot be diagnosed by HV. Also, do you have SureStart in your area? They offer free support for speech development in the area where I live.

Hi, yes I've tried the GP but she just said see the health visitor. She didn't even look in to her mouth. She isn' tongue tied as she can poke her tongue out, although her uncle and cousen are. I've spoken to a sure start lady and all she could offer were mother and baby groups. I wish they did offer free help in our area.

We didn't have any problems, it's just that I have a friend whose son was tongue tied and was offered help locally. Can you see your GP again and insist? Just say something like 'I'm just really worried, she is hurting a lot because of the bitting, could you just reassure me and check that her tongue is normal?' We all play pushy mums with GPs once in a while...

Yes, I think you have to! I'll see my own G.P this time. He is very good and lucy likes him.

You can often self refer to SALT. They cost around 50 quid plus per hour. Irritating that your HV won't refer- SALT waits here are a year AFTER referral. Do make sure your area doesn't have a drop in service, ours used to.

Being a bit lazy here as lots of this won't be relevant to you, but I've written about SALT services (including how to get a private one) here

I mean you can often self refer to NHS SALT- worth checking. Private ones of course you can self refer to

Thanks for that. I think a year is too long to wait as she is already far behind for her age. I think I'll look in to having a private assesment.

Would it speed things up if the nursery refered her for SALT?

No. Having battled with SALT for years if you can afford it I would go privately. Most will do an assessment, provide a report and a programme for you to do at home. We have occasionally paid for weekly hands on therapy from SALTs, but we've also used just for assessment then done it ourselves iyswim.

A decent assessment might lead to a bit of a queue jump for other services if problems are found. Expect to pay £100+ for an assessment (to include a detailed written report). All the SALTS I've used from ASTLIP (on that link I gave you) have been very professional. If you're in London you have options such as Christopher place open to you as well (private SALT establishment).

Thanks for all your help. I will get her an assessment and go from there. I think it would be handie for her nursery to have a coppie of the report too.