Speech & Language Therapy

[Speakproper]

How does this work in times of Covid? (I will contact school also)

Last lockdown it stopped completely and there has been no obvious progress (I am sure there is some) since return to school.

Speech is definitely not what it should be. And I really don't want it to stop again as it wasn't picked up initially.

There has also been no hearing test due to Covid so there could be an issue there. Although he has not been referred for test, but health screening not done.

How are schools managing it? Are they carrying on SLT remotely? Or forgetting it just now & the kids will catch up later?

Thanks in advance.

My worry is that the longer it's left, the harder it is to fix.

I don't know how they are managing in this circumstances, but when my dc had speech therapy, they have given us tons of resources to do at home to help too. Can you ask them to give you some so you can carry on at home too?

I will ask for this.

We have never had resources home. Its only been done in school. We have only ever receiced copy of assessment and what areas they need to work on.

It depends on the school and the Speech Therapy service. My SLT service is offering remote sessions to families. We did in the last lockdown too, although we initially prioritised the most vulnerable. Some of our team have been redeployed (again) to COVID wards, so there may be a gap for some children. Other services have had more stumbling blocks to overcome to work remotely.

Cross post. Definitely ask for resources for home! And if possible to speak with the person doing the work. Was it done directly by the SLT or by a TA?

I think it was done by a TA, although never 100% sure as when I ask he never tells me much.

I will phone the school this week. I have not wanted to put too much pressure on them.

If it was done by a TA, I would ask if you could have a copy and could the TA talk you through what to do on the phone or video (call or pre-recorded). Hopefully they will be able to set this up and then you can do the work at home.

Is it led by the school or by the speech and language therapy service?

Either way, someone should be able to share with you the resources used in the programme and give you some idea how to use them.

Only problem is that SALT is usually part of NHS, and so some were seconded last year to other roles. Hopefully won't be needed again.

Its outsourced privately so I hope thats not a problem.

He probably wouldn't be a priority as its more pronunciation that is the issue.

Sounds like an unusual set up.

I presume your son doesn't have an EHCP? If he does and SALT is in there, then he would have a legal right to it. Without, it's less clear.

Hopefully a chat with the teacher or SENCo might clear things up.

Sounds like an unusual set up. In my LEA, the school refers the child for SaLT and the parent takes them for an assessment/block of therapy with the therapist. The SaLT then issues a care plan and resources which the school and parent are both given copies of, to work on with the child.

I’d contact the SaLT directly (ask the school for their contact info) and ask them to email you resources to work on at home.

Where I work, schools have to commission their own SLT with their SEN funding. Some buy in the NHS, some buy in an independent company. That shouldn't be a particular issue. The company will probably plan how to continue input. Definitely ask school, as although he might not be a priority on need, if you are willing and able to do work at home, they might be happy to give you some input (either a copy of the work, or a phone/video call to explain what to do).