Recommendations for private SALT in Wiltshire area for 3 year old non verbal ds

[hazeyjane]

Ds (3) has a genetic condition ( it is only a possible diagnosis, but he is part of a study into the condition, as he has so many of the features) he is completely non verbal (this is a common feature of children and adults with the condition) his understanding is better than his expressive speech, but is still delayed. He has no words and no babbling, he makes a monotone 'uh' sound. He has about 10 Makaton signs, but some of these are unclear. He has poor oro motor skills, and issues with swallowing (a video fluoroscopy showed a poor and slow swallow and silent aspiration).

His SALT provision has IMO been pretty woeful. I recently thought things were going to improve as he was supposed to be getting a new SALT, and a specialist in AAC communication visited us with a Go Talk communication device. His previous SALT came to bring the device round, showed us how to use it, and that has pretty much been it. He hasn't had a SALT session since he left his sn nursery in March and today I was told he wouldn't be getting a new SALT until September. I was also told there would be no SALT attending his Team Around Child meeting in 3 weeks time and sent a paragraph length report that is inaccurate and totally useless.

I am furious and disappointed, we have nothing at the moment apart from the gotalk and a series of grids that I have drawn myself, and games that i have made up myself. He has a full time 1-1 at preschool ( and me as he has chronic separation anxiety) who has sent herself on a Makaton course, but she has had no advice from SALT, and no one has been in to observe him at preschool.

I am going to complain, but I would also like ds to see a private SALT for an assessment, so I have some idea of what we should be working towards, and an accurate assessment of ds developmental progress or lack of.

If anyone knows of a decent SALT in the wiltshire area I would be most grateful of a name, which you could post or pm.

Sorry for huge post!

Hi hazey, we are Wiltshire too! Dd (nearly 3) is also mainly non verbal though now attempts about 15 words regularly ish - and often tries new ones we then don't hear again (eg fire engine!). She also now has over 100 makaton signs and is starting to join them. Our nhs salt is good and comes to meetings - but we only see her every few months. Our private salt has made a real difference and empowered me to help dd much more effectively. She really engages with dd and motivates her - and has come up with some fabulous suggestions. She is Salisbury based and her website is www.first-expressions.co.uk.

We are also on the genetic side - and now have a firm diagnosis.

Really sorry to hear your provision has been so apalling. It does sound Luke you deserve better.

That is great Bryzoan, thankyou.

It is great that your dd is signing so much, we have been signing with ds since he was about 10 months old, and he tries to sign a lot of stuff, but it often ends up being a jumble of flappy arms and tapping head, and no-one is sure what he is trying to say!

I feel so let down by the SALT services, and have tried so many times for something to change, especially as this is the area where he is most severely delayed, but each time promises are made and then fall through.

SLT services here are rubbish unfortunately and pretty deeply in cahoots with the LA too so very adept at pretending they are delivering a service when they are not.

My SLT is based in Hants. PM if you want details. Thoroughly trustworthy, helpful and switched on.

Dd's signing isn't all clear either - and sometimes I will just suddenly twig what a new sign is. For example - for a while i couldn't work out where she was seeing all the owls every tine we got in the car - then one day i realised she was telling me to put my glasses on! Do you have portage? Our portage worker really helped me get going effectively with it. If you are anywhere near Stonehenge I'd be delighted to catch up for a coffee, play and dome makaton chat any time too.

Sorry - just re read that and realised I implied you might need more support with the signing. I didn't mean to. It sounds like you've been doing amazingly signing for over 2 yrs. And the fact that he has 10 signs is great and dhows the potential. All of dd's are unclear. I've had to make a translation book. I mostly know what she means though which is a bloomin' good start and something to be thankful for! I love it that we can talk now -all be it in a fairly limited way.

Not at all, Bryzoan, I have taught myself Makaton mainly through Something Special, DVDs and books and it is pretty patchy - so I am amazed that ds has picked up any at all! Luckily ds's 1-1 is really keen, and lovely, and sent herself on a Makaton course and has been round to watch signing dvds with us. I too have made a little 'guide to ds's peculiar signs' which includes his sign for Wizard of Oz (favourite film!) and many fire engine related signs.

It would be lovely to meet up, you dd sounds great.

I will pm you

Myra Pontac is in Gloucestershire. She's good, but you need to tell her that any deadlines are at least two weeks before they actually are.