Hanen courses - is it worth the fight to get on one?

[oodlesofdoodles]

Our local NHS SLT dept runs Hanen courses, but have so far declined to let me or DH go on one. I've made a bit of a fuss about this an have been offered 121 with a SLT to 'discuss the strategies' of Hanen.

Is this a better deal than going on the course proper?

DS is very verbal, so the Talkability course was mooted and we've finally been lent the manual by SLT. However ATM I'm feeling that if he could improve his non verbal communication his rather eccentric language might seem charming - instead of a bit wierd. Does Hanen help with non verbal communication?

Has anyone here done the courses? Should I keep complaining until we get on one?

I did it, found it very helpful but really would have been useful when dd was non verbal. Alot of it didnt apply to us.

Marking a place as I have been offered a Talkability course place. Ditto very talkative DS with no awareness of non-verbal or reciprocation.

Fight for the course, definitely.

You get something like 18 hours of access to a SALT.

There are 3 or 4 home visits where you and DC are videoed, then you review that as part of the course - completely invaluable feedback about how you 'are' with each other.

You meet other parents in the same boat.

Oh, and you do the course.

Discussing the strategies will not nearly be as useful, and I say that as someone who's DS is very high functioning. A lot of the course didn't apply to us, but I can't imagine a SALTs summary will apply either our Oodles.

Oh, also I had the manual before the course and was a bit 'meh' about the whole thing. The course is what brings it to life.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep plugging away at Slt dept.
(((waves to Wilson)))

(((hiya!)))

[whispers] you also get the SALT's email addresses. Not that I've abused that in any way, oh no [whistles]

I fear they now hate me for kicking up a stink and getting the deluded neuro consultant involved. Don't think I would dare to email them.

I have another question. Do you think Hanen is best for mums or dads? If we ever do get it I'm keen for dh to go and sort of share the burden.

They say it's best for one person to do the whole course, so not to chop and change. A lot of people on my course had both parents there for all of the sessions, I just went myself. I think if only one can go its should be the person who spends most time with the DC OR the person who is able to pass on the techniques in a way that won't cause world war three to break out in the house. (That was not me, apparently...)

My H is just fininshing first Hanen course. Our daughter is 2 and non verbal, pretty much in the earliest stages of communication really. The course was not much on top of the book 'It takes two' although liked the videoing...interesting to see how you are communicating and what cues you are missing. I guess you could do that yourslef with a camcorder tho

Good suggestion firsttimer. Yes Wilson I can imagine that happening in our house, hence keen to send dh.

I sent shirty email last night. Gad I'm going to be unpopular. I live in small city and bump into these people in RL.

Oh I've just hacked school off most monsterously. And had a phone convo with a tinkly-voiced head who kept getting DS name wrong. Lets set up a commune.