Parent consultation at preschool. What questions?

[HHH3]

DS2 is 2.3 and has been at preschool for around 2 months now. I have his first parent consultation on Thursday and need help with coming up with a list of questions. I'm also going to be having a meeting with the preschool's SALT and the manager soon so it may be that questions are better asked at that instead.

DS has a significant speech delay. Having spoken to his keyworker about what words and signs he uses there it's become clear that they aren't understanding him. That's not a criticism of them as he's pretty much impossible to understand unless you're me!

Over the last few weeks he's been having massive meltdowns after preschool. These go way beyond normal toddler tantrums and only happen on the days he's been there. I think he's just completely frustrated that he can't make himself understood. He's also gradually becoming reluctant to go in.

The way I see it (unless anyone can think of any other ideas) is that I have 3 options.

1. Leave things as they are and keep putting him in a position where he's not understood and is getting really frustrated.

1. Find a way for them to understand him.

1. Find another preschool that might be able to deal with his speech delay better.

Number 1 really isn't an option so I think these 2 meetings will really determine what I do next. Can anyone think of any questions I need to/should ask? I'm obviously going to ask them for ideas on how to help him communicate at preschool. What else can I ask?

Just a thought - have you been in to the nursery to show them how you communicate with him and him with you, and see if you can get them to sign and read the signs the same way that you do at home?

Or if one of them would meet you to learn, without the bustle of nursery around?

Also you could try for an EHCP and 1 to 1, with the 1 to 1 helper learning the signs with you and dc.

It may be that the nursery could apply for extra funding for a one to ne worker for dc.

In terms of finding another nursery, I would keep quiet on that at the meeting and use the consultation to gather as much information/evidence as you can about what they are seeing on speech, non-verbal communication, socialisation, anxiety and sensory issues, as well as all the usual markers that they look for at nursery.

Good Luck

I offered to teach his words and signs when he first started. Quite frankly they weren't interested and just kept insisting that he'd pick up makaton with them and could communicate like that. I doubt they've had a rethink on this bit it's possible now he's been there a little while.

1 to 1 is a good suggestion. Think that'll be better at the meeting with the SALT and manager so I may well suggest that then.

I'm keeping my cards quite close to my chest with all of this tbh. His keyworker has already said she doesn't see any problems with him (bar speech). But I've recently had him assessed and there's no physical reason for his speech delay. So that leaves neurological. I'm sure there's more to it than 'just' speech but whether they'll agree I just don't know.

Thanks MrsDeVere - that's really helpful.

His understanding is really good.

He actually signs quite a lot. But, like the handful of words he has, they're inaccurate (although consistent) and they don't understand him.

I would also be asking them to make a photo communication board with photos of as many things he might need or want on as you and they can think of!

This will take some work but it will benefit all of the pre speech children so it would be well worth doing.

If your Ds shows them a photo to make a choice they model the word and give him the desired object!

If his understanding is good he will probably grasp it very quickly.

We did this with a little one once and then had to hide the "biscuit" photo as she caught on really quickly and kept taking it to different staff members

Good luck

MrsDeVere - I've been doing the same thing as your cup example for ages. It hasn't changed a thing with his speech.

I'll definitely be asking about his targets.

He's not showing signs of frustration at preschool at all afaik. He holds it all in until he gets home and then completely melts down.

Speech isn't his only issue but it's by far the most obvious. There are a lot of other things but they're all quite subtle.

Ineed - the board sounds like a really good idea. I'll definitely suggest that. He's quick to pick up new ideas and I could definitely see him doing the biscuit thing

That's true

I haven't mentioned his behaviour when he gets home to them yet. Will be doing so tomorrow. So will see then whether they believe me or not. I think it will be very telling.