How to handle first SALTappointment

[CatL]

HI,

Not sure if this is right place to post, but thought I was most likely to get other parents who had experience of SALT. DD is 2.11 and has been referred to speech and language team by HV after a bit of pushing by me. This is because she has a stammer a lot of the time. Our appointment is next week. She is a very bright girl with a good vocab, and she asks questions alot. There is no way we cna go anywhere without explaining where we are going and why.

The thing is, I don;t think she knows she has a 'problem' and we've tried to keep it that way. Alot of the time she doesn't seemed bothered by the stammer, and on the few occasions when she has got upset or frustrated, we've said something along the lines of "I know it's annoying, but don't worry, you are still learning to talk and it's hard sometimes. You're really good at talking and know lots of words, but it is hard ot get them all out sometimes". She is quite a highly strung, sensitive child, and can find new people or new situations hard to cope with, so we wanted to make sure she wasn't self conscious about her speech.

So, how on earth do I explain what is happening and why when we go for the appointment?

Hi there,
I think I would carry on with what you have been telling her but also that, to help her learn to talk better, you're going to see a special lady (or man!) who has helped lots of other little children who can't always get the words out.

Explain that this lady (I'm saying lady cos all our SALTs have been women) will know lots of special games and new ways to help her get her words out from her brain. Make it sound fun!

We just said we were off to have a play with a lady (Fresh is right, I don't think I've ever heard of a male one) who is interested in helping children to talk. The appointment will be totally play-centred and DD will enjoy it - I've been to enough of them, I promise it'll be fine! Just keep it low key.

Thanks - helpful advice!

At that age she won't know that not all children go to SALT. So just treat it as a normal thing, like going to the supermarket or HV!

I agree with WilsonFrickett.

I wouldn't use the word problem when explaining anything to your dd because you don't want to make her feel self-conscious.

I'd perhaps tell her that when she is stuttering to take her time because mummy has time to listen. Then build up before seeing SALT that the lady will help her talk to people who may not have as much time to listen as mummy. Don't know if this is the best scenario for a stutter or for your dc but telling them how they will be able to help others sometimes takes the pressure of them. My ds has a speech disorder and I think it is very important to not make them self conscious with their speech.

Another little thing that I think helps is hopefully when you go to see SALT there will be other little girls and boys there. This will help to make it feel more normal. When my ds went to speech therapy they were a couple of dcs from his school which was great since it didn't make him feel like he was the only one going through speech therapy.

I hope all goes well for your dd.

Sorry I should of used the word stammer.