Speech delay - does it ever resolve ??

[SameIssue]

Anyone here whose child didn’t speak at all (not even 5 words in the right context) till the age of four?

we have tried everything at this point and are desperate so looking for some hope here!!

DC2 didn’t speak until 3 and can talk fairly well now. I do appreciate that’s a whole year younger though.

What interventions have they had so far @SameIssue?

Sons in sen school and there's children that started speaking at 7, equally we ve been told at 5 that best case scenario could be some single words but to be prepared for him not to speak.

So although it could still go either way, it really depends on the reason for the speech delay too.

Thanks both for responding.

In terms of intersections, he’s been under audiology assessments to ensure there are no hearing related issues. He has seen one speech therapist on a weekly basis for six months and another one on the same frequency over a subsequent six month period. At home, various techniques (visual aids / flashcards / pictures based learning, miss Rachel YouTube videos, watching cartoons with him where we interact/comment a lot) as well.

He does understand what’s being send to him, does follow instructions for the most part, does make eye contact but almost no speech and does show some behavioural concerns owing to frustration around inability to adequately communicate his needs/wants.

Sounds like you’ve got things in oma e to help him. Just wondering if he has had an OT assessment and has been referred to Portage too?

Does he currently have an ECHP?

He was referred for OT assessment by the nursery almost a year ago but nothing has come off it. Apparently the waitlist there is quite long. We were told that it’s only after assessment and official diagnosis of some sort and some other series of bureaucratic steps is when you end up reaching the ECHP. Is that not the case?

For now, the only professional intervention has been via speech therapists, nothing for any assessment/evaluation for behaviour/development and of course no ND type diagnosis.

Absolutely not the case. ECHPs are based in need rather than diagnosis and I’m not trained but I’d say being non-verbal is a pretty strong need.

You can always apply for an ECHP here. The SN Section is usually also quite good for getting support with this process

That’s good to know, thanks very much!!

I’ve just reread your post. Has been been referred for ASD assessment yet @SameIssue?

Is he currently 4 years old?

Does he do gestures like pointing to what he wants and to get you to notice things, clapping, waving hello/goodbye, know body parts/colours/basic shapes/numbers?

No he hasn’t been assessed, he is on the waitlist for OT assessment which I am assuming is the same as ASD assessment?

He does take our hand towards things that he wants, does say “bye” sometimes when leaving the house, does clap sometimes, doesn’t really say hello.
And no he doesn’t know shapes, colours or body parts. He will be exactly 3.5 years old in a week’s time.

At 3.5 that is a bit of a red flag, OP. It seems like more than a speech delay. Pointing to a few body parts when asked is a 18-24 month old skill for example.

Does he understand what your saying? Does he follow instructions like go get your shoes, wheres the dog, pass mummy the red cup, can you point to the dinosaur? If not, I'd be pushing for an paediatrician referral immediately.

Why did nursery refer to occupational therapy? What were their concerns?

No OT and a referral for assessment for ASD are completely different. Did Nursery offer you a referral to iscan or a Paediatrician?