Speech and Language

[annlee3817]

Hello,

I had a call from the school towards the end of the year from my daughters teacher to say that they had noticed she had a slight stammer at the beginning of the year and it has got progressively worse. I did bring this up with the school in year 3 and they said they would keep an ear out and let me know if it was particularly noticeable. She's now just finished year 5. It's not too bad at home, usually when she's recalling information or when she's not confident in what she's saying. Sometimes more pronounced than other times. Anyway, they asked if I would be happy for them to do a referral to a speech and language therapist, which I said would be fine. Just wondered what expected timescales were?

I tried to go through my private healthcare, but they need a GP referral to a specialist, and then a specialist referral, so looking at quickest routes, will probably end up just paying as would like to get something in place before she starts secondary, but wanted to ask others experience.

Her stammer is always mid word, and not that she's struggling to get the word out, just paused in the middle of each word for a second or two.

You can pay for a speach and language therapist privately if you have the money, friends son is having private sessions, no gp referral.

Waiting times will vary wildly depending on your area, but I doubt any NHS SLT will happen particularly quickly. The easiest route to accessing private (paid for) therapy is via the website of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice here , you can filter by geographical area and specialism (ie stammering/dysfluency) and contact therapists directly, no need for referrals from school/GP etc.