1 step forward, 2 steps back!

[mummysgoingmad]

My ds is 2.2, I've had concerns about his lack of communication for some time. we finally got the involvement i was looking for i.e specialist health visitor, SLT, specialist nursery nurse and an autism assessment.

we went to his SLT triage appointment yesterday where i was told it would be 6 months or more for his assessment, fine i thought i understand that they are very busy, then added it may be up to a year before he starts therapy! I asked the therapist for some pointers to spur his communication on, right now i would be thrilled if he pointed at something! She said give him choices and make his play meaningful.

1. when i give my ds choices he tries to take both the items and gets very upset that i'm not giving him both, i thought ok i'll persevere with this.

1. when she said make his play meaningful she was referring to ds running from 1 end of the house constantly, she said i could turn it into a game of tig. now i am struggling to understand how this will help him talk, and there is no possible way i can keep that level of play up on a day to day basis as this behaviour persists for 2/3 of his day.

Was i expecting too much from this meeting? i honestly thought that a child with "low level communication" would be somewhat of a priority and to leave it for up to 1 year to actually get a regular appointment with a SLT is doing my ds a disservice. I don't know weather to kick up a fuss or not. I left the appointment feeling really deflated and angry.

bump

I'm sure someone will be along with advice re SALT suggestions for your DS.
In our PCT, they start the therapy more at 3 years. Before that it is mainly play activities. Can your specialist nursery nurse not give you suggestions for games and activities to encourage communication.
I would call the slt and ask to be sent a list of activities that she classes as 'meaningful'. In fairness though, she may be including a list like this in the meeting letter that will follow.

if you can get onto a hanen course "word than words" would be great but you need a referal for that, so will have to ask SALT.
with choices keep going with it and only give him the thing he asks/signs for, he'll then link object with that word.

try and make convesations where possible so giving choices where possible, making mistakes on purpose, doing lids too tight so he has to ask for help ect.

Use PECS if you think it will help.

This happened to ds too some while ago. Do as Auntevil suggests but ask also if there are any other ways you can be supported such as loaning you books, accessing training or courses aimed at parents of children with delayed language(or whatever is relevent to your child.)
If early intervention is so important so why is more than a years wait built into the system!? Grrr! If there is no choice but to wait all that time for nhs salt, then you may have to take charge and do what you can. If funds allow you could start with a private slt. I did this with my son - but as funds limited visits to twice termly (not enough)we concentrated on teaching me what to do- and what to use to get communication up and running a programme. I chose a slt specialised in sn with behavoural approach and it was worth its weight!!
Another option is Hanen who run courses and publish books aimed (IIRC)at helping carers encourage language in speech delayed children. I am out of date in which might be best but you (others will know). Our local CDC has a copy of more than words now ( one of the books) which would have been so useful 5-7 years ago!!

I had forgotten about the sing and sign classes that we went to. Learning a few basic signs such as more, enough\full, biscuit etc will make 'communicating' seem worthwhile if he sees a benefit to him.