Speech and Language Therapy in Special School How Much?

[jess1975]

How much should I expect for a non-verbal child who is described as significantly delayed in all areas. There seems to be some talk about group therapy but in my opinion this would be unsuitable for my ds due to his attention and listening skills. He really has no understanding. Is it unreasonable to expect individual therapy? I realise resources are very stretched and don't want to be selfish as lots of children need help.

For children to benefit from therapy, developing attention and listening skills is normally the first step. Group therapy provides lots of 'models' of good skills.

I'm not a professional, but I do know that the individual therapy my DD1 had prior to starting special school was absolutely useless. She only progressed once she started special school where a combination of group therapy and therapy embedded into the curriculum throughout the whole school day was in place.

I think in a good special school, group therapy contains individual targets and sometimes those targets will need to be worked on with a bit of additional 1:1 from a member of trained staff (not necessarily a SALT).

The quality of this intervention and schools is totally variable and my experience is that the 'good' schools are in shorter supply than the other.

Having said that, a school considered 'good' for many just might not be the right fit for your child so you really have to go and see it and get them to explain properly what they do and how.

Thanks guys - valid points! He does have his own targets and gets lots of 1:1 during the day in the class from his fab teacher and assts. I think its nearly a case of where the salt highlights the areas to be worked on and these are implemented during the school day. Sometimes it just takes someone to point it out for you!

That's how it works in DD1's school, jess. The SALT models techniques which are determined by the needs/targets of children. Then the staff use those techniques throughout the following fortnight. Any cause for concern can be raised with the SALT in the meantime, and any additional 1:1 needs can be dealt with separately. e.g. DD1 was having some cued articulation sessions to help with her formation of some sounds.