Speech delay IEP or other help?

[icecream24]

My son (3 in August) started at pre-school last month, he has a speech delay but he haven't seen a SLT yet, he is on the very long waiting list, hopefully he might be seen Dec/Jan for his first appointment.

But I'm a bit confused as to whether his pre-school should be doing anything to help him with the speech delay in the meantime, the SENCO lady is new this year and dosen't seem to have a clue, I asked her whether it would be her liasing with speech therapy once it finally comes through and she looked very surprised, I don't think she realised she was supposed to do so, I then asked what she thought about my son's speech and just got a vague 'oh I think it just takes some longer, and they just need more time'.

I'm just not sure what I should be expecting of them, and to be honest was hoping to be guided a bit by them, but as I said they don't seem too sure themselves.

Any ideas? Do I need to wait for the SLT appointment first and see what they say, will it depend how serious a delay it is? It's all very confusing, I have tried googling but still not sure.

sorry that should say 'he hasn't seen a SLT yet'

My DD1 pre-school (she is now 3.7) have been amazing with her. Her IEP was pretty simple at 3- the main goals were responding appropriately at register time (wave, nod, yes anything really), and a couple of motor ones. But they put in place lots of lovely things to try to encourage her to communicate better at school. For instance, they made her her own special book and they take little photos of her when she is there, with her friend and showing what they are doing then she can try to tell me what she did when we get home, they also put a white board outside the classroom where i pick her up saying what they have done that morning so that i can talk to her about it.
They also started the statementing process for me (she would have been about 3.3 then)- we got the draft through this weekend, and the school have been so supportive through that whole process. I would try to get them to engage as much as possible with the process. As well as the obvious speech issues, my daughter has problems interacting socially as she doesn't have the means to communicate with her peers- her teacher helps with this all the time at school.

SENCO should be involving the Early Years consultant to come and do an assessment/observation - at least thats what happened in the nursery where DS went. The consultant will also speak with you and make a note of your concerns. She could subsequently refer your son to paediatrician, OT if needed and escalate to the SLT so he may be seen earlier. If SENCO doesnt know ask to speak to the nursery manager.

That is lovely negligent, I will ask if they could put similar systems in place, as I have found since he has started that he has got more and more frustrated as he wants to tell me what he has been doing but just can't find the words, so usually ends up giving up and just says 'paint' but is obviously upset that he can't tell me, when he was at home all day it was easier as I knew what he'd been doing etc and so there were always clues for me to try and work out what he was saying.

It sounds like I should be expecting more help I will ask about the early years consultant, unfortunatly the SENCO is also the manager, she hasn't been a nursery manager before either, it's a shame they haven't got the experience to help with this because otherwise it's been great and he seems to be settling, the pre-school is attached to the primary school, I did ask if they could liase with the primary school SENCO but apparantly it would be different and she wouldn't be able to help.

Thanks both of you, I will have a word with them.

We used a diary filled in by her carer to say basics about whats been done at nursery so you have a starting point for a conversation.

Have you tried using visuals? Could be used at home and nursery...and he can practise the new word when he shows you the visual. Apparently lots of nursery places use them any way....(not just ASD like my DD!)

I dont like the sound of the manager!

Slight aside to the original post but please check out your local childrens centre. Many have speech therapists available who are not part of the ridiculously oversubscribed NHS "service" and you will probably find it easier to get seen by someone there whilst you are still waiting for the NHS to find yet another excuse for failing you and your child. Hopefully they can help you to get started with some ideas for helping at home.

thanks everyone, am grateful for all suggestions.

and thanks bdaonion for saying everyone finds it confusing at first, makes me feel slightly better and not quite so dim!

Have made an appointment for tonight, so will see if I can get anywhere, as I say I am pleased otherwise, he dosen't cope well with change, so it's great that the pre-school is on the same site as the school, they use the hall, playground etc and he sees his big brother most days around the school.

The manager is great otherwise, just a bit clueless with the SENCO issues unfortunately.