Echolalia at 2.11 years - is this normal?

[mummytosteven]

I am concerned about S's speech, and nursery are very concerned, and are referring him to Senco over this. One thing that they have picked up on, and I have been sticking my head in the sand over up to now is echolalia - i.e. that S repeats things back that you say to him, and he repeats chunks of telly programmes (sometimes it appears to be at random moments especially when he is tired, otherwise it's a relevant phrase at a relevant time e.g. instead of saying "No", saying "No not a bit (from Hairy Mclairy(!)))

Would be grateful for your opinions.

It's fairly common but if I am being brutally honest a cause for some concern.
(Am a salt btw.)

He needs a salt assessment asap.

Thanks Moondog, I also want him to see a SALT asap. I am seeing HV on Tuesday, would the echolalia help speed up a SALT referral? Or should I look to go private? And can you recommend a website to find a reputable private practitioner?>

If referred by HV he should be seen pretty soon as there are targets for waiting lists.That doesn't however necessarily mean he will be accepted for therapy. He may be puton another waiting list,be reviewed in 6 months or be discharged.

You could go private.
Best way is to go through this website.All properly registered and vetted.Look for someone in your area who has child language development and/or Autism (not trying to freak you-good choice if only to rule out) as a speciality.

Here

Early intervention can really make a big difference.Sounds like you are surrounded by people who are on the ball.

Sorry,meant to say who list these things as their areas of interest/expertise.

Thanks Moondog. Had a quick look at list, and one website for fees. Is there any use to getting one initial appointment for £100 if we can't afford regular sessions (on the site I look at the hourly session rate was £80 to £100 - ouch!)

We've had several therapists from ASLTIP - we moved around a bit- they charged between 35 and 60 an hour (the best one was the 35 quid an hour one- absolutely brilliant). All should do an one or 2 sessions plus advice if you don't want to sign up for weekly therapy.

You need to be NHS referred as well if you go through a pirvate SALT (private won't get you in the system). A private report could help you get referred to the most suitable person.

If you have one or 2 assessments you wil come back with a programme you can do at home as well (which ime is about all you get with an NHS salt anyway).

Thanks jimjams! If S is on waiting list for SALT will this be enough, or do I need to get HV to do referral to private SALT?

No you self refer to private. Just ring up someone you like the look of on the list. Where are in the country. I've used ASLTIP SALTS in Kent/SE London and also Devon.

Merseyside.

I misunderstood your post JJ - I realise that what you meant is if I go private, still have the NHS referral as well.

In Liverpool. I think I almost certainly will go private, given that S would probably benefit from just one or two sessions plus instructions from the SALT.

DS2 only used echolalia when he first started to speak (late). He is 4 next weekend and doesnt use it at all now. He understands very much what he is saying and has a wide and varied vocabulary although sometimes if I say something he doesnt understand he repeats it to himself as if to work it out iyswim.

Agree with what JJ is saying.
aLSO INTERESTING POINT FROM mUMMYTO aARON.

A hearing test might be helpful as well. My son had echolic speech when he was about three years old. His speech development was delayed by having severe glue ear. The community paediatrian was confident he wasnt autisic as he had excellent play skills and plenty of imagination. His speech improved dramatically after grommets.

I was told by our paediatrian that sometimes children with delayed speech know that they should respond but they do not have the language skills to do so. Therefore they just repeat back at you what they have heard.

Prehaps a referal to a community paediatrian will help you find the cause of your son's speech problems.

DS3 has echolalia (he's 3.5 and only just starting to talk in more than single words- he generally prefers screeches and or grunts tbh).

We're on the SALT list but as ds3 starts school in September and the wait is over a year (targets don't apply- nobody is applying for the vacant SN SALT post so not a lot they can do) we're taking DS3 to BIBIC, as we know he can see a specialist (and qualified- based in a nearby hospital) SALT. However, thsi wouldnt really be relevant if no other concerns (DS3 ASD) so I would sy go ahead and speak to a private SALT- its expensive but even if you cant continue you can geta dvice and move forwards.

Did you get my e mail Peacyclair?

Sorry MD, yes I did- thank you! We decided on BIBIC as their SALT is accredited and we can get a part bursary

He's losing speech quite rapidly atm, so we have to get something in place, but with no local SALT- what can you do?

Yes,it's hard eh?
People here on MN have excellent things to say about BIBIC.
Hope it goes well.

thanks for the further posts, I have e-mailed a local private SALT and plan to call her tomorrow - we can scrape together enough money I hope for initial assessment and a couple of sessions. I doubt I can afford much regular input. I also want to push for a hearing test, I doubt there is a hearing issue but it's worth excluding.

sorry this is going on, i know youve been concerned about ds for a while. good luck with the private SALT.

BIBIC is fab- I grew up near the Bridgwater one 9there's one is Usk as well now) so knew them then, then Iworked alongside them at homestart for a bit- doing ASD training for the volunteers, that sort of thing; Sam goes as well. The BIBIC Salt comes in from the hospital acrss to border where she is a part time SALT so I can trust her!. And unlike the ed psychs the LEA don't pay her to stop people getting help- you know its unbiased. Plus they get nutritionist appointments, OT (sam waiting for that on NHS for 5 years on and off) etc

DD has echolalic speech, she is 2.10yrs, she was referred to SALT last July and we got our first appointment in Nov 06.

We have just done 3 sessions with 6 other parents and we are waiting for DD to have 1-2-1 now.

She has had an asessment at the CDC and they suspect ASD.

She is getting better though with her speech, the SALT advised us to collapse our speech right down to 3/4 word sentences and it seems to have worked very well.

HTH

Glad that your daughter is getting that help (but can't admit being a little [angry that DS3 who is older can't get it when he now is abck to the one word sentences + screaming again)

sorry that you are having trouble accessing help for your son PC.

spoke to the private SALT today, she is coming on Thursday to meet S, then will sort another appointment to assess him.

S met the private speech therapist today. she's doing the full assessment on 6th March. But he definitely has a speech delay, and she is concerned about his repetitive speech. so far she's not that concerned that he is on the spectrum (the speech delay and repetitive speech could be possible signs though) but she's not seen him socially yet of course which could affect her view. She's going to observe him at nursery on 2nd March to see how he interacts with his peers. I'm bricking it. SALT says that she wouldn't recommend that she treat him, but rather that I go on a HANEN course and work with him myself. Apparently my local salt department should run a free HANEN course.

and as a side issue, I can't face telling my mum what's going on with S, as she will overreact, be distraught etc, and I can't face up to having to console her.

Well the private SALT has been. The bad news is that DS' comprehension is behind his expressive use of language and is at the level of an 18 month old

Good news is having seen him at nursery and now, she doesn't feel concerned as to his social skills/imagination/learning abilities, so doesn't think I need to press for an assessment for Autistic Spectrum Disorders. More good news is that his abilities re:shapes/colours are probably in the 3.5 - 4 range.

The SALT did seem optimistic that he could make huge strides, and be OK at school without support. She'll have the report and lots of recommendations for exercises/working with him in 2 weeks time, then review in 3 months.

In view of the above, should I be seeking further referrals (e.g. paediatrician),or am I okay to wait 3 months to see how his speech pans out once nursery and myself have got cracking with the exercises?