So I'm just after the opinions of those who have taken their children to private speech therapy in the UK. My eldest child went through speech therapy via the NHS and I really didn't rate the service we received. It seemed that they were much more interested in diagnosing him with a condition as opposed to helping with the actual delay. Without going into too much detail, the therapist mentioned that he was showing autistic traits at his first session when he was just two years old and the only sort of guidance we received was some printed off sheets and recommendations for toddler groups for children with additional needs. He was actually discharged from speech therapy around 12 months later. It turned out he had glue ear and after he had grommets fitted his speech came on leaps and bounds and he seemingly caught up with everyone else. There's been no further concern about autism or anything of that nature. As you can imagine that whole experience has made me feel very vulnerable now that my youngest child has a speech delay and has been referred through the NHS service speech and language therapy again. I've spoken to a private Speech therapist today. She told me she used to work for the NHS delivering a speech therapy but left that job because of the restraints with time and funding et cetera. I seem to really jell with her and it seems like we had the same sort of values and opinions. I'm just wondering if anyone wanted to share their opinions of private speech therapy versus the NHS?
The bottom line is that I want to help my son with speech and communication. I will do anything it takes to get him on track and if I have to pay private then I will go without to do so.