SALT- come and enlighten me

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DS 2.3 didn't really speak much at nearly 2, said mummy daddy milk ta etc but nursery flagged his speech to us. We acted by going to an audiology review which showed blocked ears (wax) once wax removed his hearing was certified as ok and speech rapidly increased, to full sentence where are you etc but admittedly his speech still isn't strong (i understand him and he is understandable by most for example if pointing to a lion he can say lion in a way that you would know, but of there was no picture to contextualise you may not). His intelligence is far beyond hos speech and his comprehension is also which can lead to some frustration on his part, usually manifesting in tears / upset.

At his check up the HV felt similarly (on all points) so said a referral would be made to SALT. At this point i mentioned his tongue tie at birth, as I feel that it is the sounds which require use of tongue that he struggles with. HV say SALT an assess this?!

Im just wondering what SALT is going to entail? Are they likely to come to our home?

would indeed deal with tongue tie or if that would need to be my gp (as could in a sense get on and start to sort that sooner than beginning SALT due to referral times)?

Just any info or experiences you can share really? Decision on referral was made nearly two weeks ago so if I have not heard anything by the end Of next week maybe i should call HV?

BUMP

DS1 has been seeing a SALT for 2 years (he's now nearly 4 and a half).

He had hearing checked first. Then he had a SALT appointment and had about 6 or so since. Each time, she watches / observes, listens, engages with him, assessed his level of comprehension initially. Last time she asked him to read some show cards with her. She also guides us on things like using simple 2 - 3 word sentences, talking about everything, avoiding questions with him, encourage and praise sounds / words etc.

She's never looked at his tongue or any movements / sounds like that, but I'm guessing that will probably show from set speech themes.

SALT takes ages to get an appointment, so do keep chasing (I think they're just very busy).

I'm very disheartened, but need to speak to HV to ask for a referral for DS2, who is coming up to 2. He says about half a dozen words - mama, dada, his brothers name, car, please, thank you, his childminders name. He is much more interested in language than his brother was, and tries to imitate all the time which is good, but just not very spontaneous with it.

DS1 speech is now absolutely fine and we can't shut him up half the time!

If he is now 2.3yo then his speech sounds okay for his age, actually (layperson's opinion). DC4 is nearly 4yo & still struggles with saying lion clearly, for instance (the l sound is one of the later ones to come in, btw, clearly on its own might be 6 or 7, I think).

SALT is offered in many different ways in different HAs so I think you just have to find out what's on offer in your system. Initially you get an assessment of needs & you don't qualify for SALT on NHS unless they have missed key targets (their own milestones); it doesn't sound like OP's DS is that bad, but no harm in asking.

I would think you've got to wait 2-4 months for the first assessment; if they identify clinical need at that point, you'll be waiting another 2-6 months for actual therapy to commence (ime).

Thanks at least i know now what to expect its so daunting!

btw, we go to see the salt, they've never been to our home.

i promise, it's not daunting :). both the salts i've met were lovely and very reassuring.

Oh good no tidying required then haha