Quick thread - need advice - SALT at 3pm

[lougle]

DD2 had SALT assessment in June. result: General speech/language at/around average. Doesn't initiate conversation and didn't respond to non verbal cues, but school say she's ok, so it's not affecting her.
I complained by email, said concerns weren't with general language (I.e. she can name a girl if shown a picture, etc).

Now, SALT coming today to reassess and observe. She deals with SCD/ASD type stuff.

I've been invited to discuss her findings at 3pm (school finishes 3'30), so under 30 minutes to talk.

Can you lovelies think of all the areas I should highlight?

e.g. Mrs X, ELSA told DD2 she wouldn't see her today because she had a meeting. DD2 smiled with her tongue pushed behind her bottom lip, nodding as Mrs X was telling her. I know Mrs X would think she's fine with it. However, ar breakfast DD2 told me that she was only ok with going to school today because she has Mrs X this afternoon.

TIA

No. I was allowed to come in at 3pm, once DD2 was back in class. The SALT had, I think, been talking to the SENCO. The SALT's voice was quite trembly and her neck was reddening as she talked, so she clearly wasn't comfortable. I don't know her well enough to know if she's just nervous with parents or whether she thought I was going to be difficult in some way.

The SENCO is quite a reserved lady. I'm slowly thinking that she's saying one thing to me (I think she's got ASD...) and another thing to professionals (I've seen her dressing up and doing role play).

Big deal, she can put on a costume and join in a game. She can't make up an original role, but let's ignore that, hey? She has to assure me she's pretending.

Do you think the SALT was 'out of her depth' red? or 'I have to go with what the SENCO has told me to report' red?

It could have been 'difficult mother to talk to' red, but having met you, I sincerely doubt that. I know you are very straight and honest but you have far more patience and virtue than I possess and SALTS only get red in the face with me after a number of appointments, not the first one.

I don't think she could possibly be 'out of her depth' red. She is a very experienced SALT, works with children who have severe and pervasive language issues. Presented a talk at a afasic conference on speech, language and social interaction/skills (I googled).

I don't think she would be 'I have to go with what the SENCO has told me to report' red...I can't see what would be in it for her or the SENCO.

I think she probably was 'I'm telling the parent that I don't think their child has a problem when I know they have lots of concerns and will disagree' red.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful that DD2 is a 'joy to assess'. I just can't remember saying at any time that she's not a joy?? Surely a child doesn't have to be repugnant to have difficulties? .

Lougle with the dressing I'm probably stating the obvious but dd2 is in a sp sch for children with autism and I've got lots of pictures sent home of her wearing dressing up clothes . She isn't pretending to be belle or Snow White .what I'm saying is they shouldn't draw conclusions from it

Could you get her assessed at one of the ICAN places?

They do 3 day assessments in classrooms with lots of SALTs. There is funding available iirc.

You could ask this current SALT if you think that will help to tie up the areas of discrepancy and whether she'd support it?

It's words Lougle. I don't think that the professionals are anywhere where they need to be, especially those employed in the public sector.

They have so much thrown at them that they spend an awful lot of time surviving and I think 'put down' language aimed at parents has become embedded in their practice.

You know, if you wanted to think about it you could probably fire a list of questions off to the SALT.

i.e. Did you witness making up an original role? How many times did she initiate a conversation with another child and over what period of time? Was the topic of conversation about her own interests or the other child's? blah blah blah.

You don't have to be challenging but show that you are not giving up and that you still have some very real concerns that sadly don't seem to have been identified in such a short snap-shot assessment.

Just dashed out of clinic, caught up with thread in car park, felt sick, dropped important clinical docs in a puddle.

Home now. I could rant and rant and rant about this but cant get jaw off floor.

Oh f*ck

It's parent or LA funding, Star. I can't see them wanting to do that when they don't think there's an issue. I can't do it either.

Oh no Handy! Did the documents survive??

LA won't fund. Are you SURE they don't have a little pot or is it now so small that you'd have to be living on a commune with no income or possessions at all before they'd fund half of it?

Handy Are documents okay? Are YOU okay?

Docs bit murky in parts but will dry out!! Am off out with dog to walk off my rage/shock/disappointment. Nothing constructive to add to this thread at this stage.... Harrumph

Yes, are you ok, handy? When I first read your post I thought you were ranting about my thread, but now I wonder if you need to rant about your clinic? Did it not go well?

Lougle You're area has a number of independent schools for 'quirky' children and some for children with dx.

Would you consider approaching them and telling them your dd is going through an assessment process, you're suspecting ASD or traits and are considering their school and would they like to assess her for a potential place at their school?

It would be legitimate because technically at least, those schools might be within the options available to you in the future. I know the reality of it might mean it isn't quite like that but you're entitled to explore ideal or aspirational provision.

So...my NT child who has no issues, is kicking off about going to get DD1 from KIDS at special school.

As she has no issues, and even the OT issue of fidgeting, for which the OT is apparently ordering a cushion, but only because DD2 said she was a fidget bum, probably at the instigation of her mother, is in doubt, what say you all as to the suitable cause and discipline?

Mother hasn't had enough wine, I'd say.

Star x-post.

I'm seriously starting to think I have to protect myself also.

Look at it from their point of view:

Mother has taken child out of one school in cluster due to difference of opinion on need.

Mother raises concerns in second school.

Mother refuses to accept conclusions of SALT.

Mother refuses to accept conclusions of Second opinion SALT.

Mother approaches other schools for assessments.....

I've got to go and get DD1 (the one who has an MRI scan as evidence).

I'll be back later.

or cake. or loud music.

Docs bit murky in parts but will dry out!! Am off out with dog to walk off my rage/shock/disappointment. Nothing constructive to add to this thread at this stage.... Harrumph

And DD2 has just shoved DD3's head against a wall. Fantastic.

Got to go.

Yes, unfortunately you do need to protect yourself. But you also need to do what is right for your dd.

I don't think you will avoid any accusations at all to be honest, so you have to get over that (though trying to minimise them obviously).

Am so apoplectic have started multiple posting!

Am ranting about the outcome of your SALT assessment, Lougle. My clinic was fine.