SALT trying to discharge ds

[sabelhp]

(name changed for this)

My SALT has emailed (me, GP, paed & CAMHS) to say that she's put ds (5.5yo ASD & Language Delay/Disorder) onto review only with plan to discharge him. This is only the basis of his TALC test results - he did very well, unexpectedly well (I don't dispute the results I observed the assessment & scored it the same as her) - competent at level 1-3 (100% in all three) and 50 something % at level 4, she says level 4 is expected at 6-6.5yo so his results are typical. Brilliant BUT he has massive language issues - his last CELF (3 months ago) put his expressive scores between 9th & 32nd centiles but his speech is very abnormal. His receptive scores were much worse, mainly around the 9th but one subtest was still on the 2nd - he still struggles with some basic concepts, multi-step instructions, disordered grammar etc.

SALT is the only service we receive I do not want it withdrawn - he has obvious & severe issues (even a report 2 months a go described him as severely delayed) I'm furious. This is the specialist ASD SALT, she told me at the last appointment ds was only verbal child on her caseload, should've realised then what the plan was.

How do I fight this?

(thank you)

I'm an s/lt and while I can't comment on the specifics of your cas,e you need to know there are very few s/lts around so unless you pay privately, very few childrten will receive the gold star service they would like for thier child.

(Great TALC scores by the way.)

Have oyu asdked her for specific guidance on what to do with him?
Has he a statement specifying s/lt input?

thank you (moondog I was at your training day, the home educator).

I suppose a better question would be should I try and fight it? ds doesn't have a statement, there is no school we could access that I would be happy to send him to, so he's electively home educated.

Her plan? "keep doing what you're doing", which is basically me, working through the VB-MAPP language stuff (level 3 now) & now we've got the TALC results, Language for Learning.

Language for Thinking yes?
(Hello by the way.)

What you are doing is probably better than what the NHS could offer you to be frank if you commit to doing it properly and keeping data.

Headsprout Reading Comprehension if reading age 8 or above?

doh - one day I'll get that right!

sabel Was the SALT helping/making a difference?

I would only ever bother keeping an NHS SALT involved to keep ds' NEEDS stated, or if they were prepared to work with a tutor or me in a monitoring/consultancy capacity. I've been through quite a number and am now convinced that it is unlikely I will find one who can make a difference with direct therapy.

If you're going to fight for it, be sure it is worth fighting for because the energy involved could often be better spent.