Changing speech therapist temporarily

[DoublyTroubly]

Hi

My son (3.5) has verbal dyspraxia and has been seeing a private SALT weekly who is fantastic and he really responds to

However, he is about to start a 6 week course with NHS SALT so I’ve paused his private sessions. I’m just worried that I’ve made a mistake and that he will get confused by different techniques

Does anyone have any experience of this? I don’t want to turn down NHS SALT as he needs to stay in the system.

Thanks

Keep the NHS SALT (it’s good to be in he NHS system) and keep the Private SLT. You can tell your private SLT what the NHS SLT is working on and hopefully she uses the same techniques as the NHS.

I'm a SALT and often work alongside a private therapist. We just talk to each other and ensure we are on the same page. Honestly it's fine!

Would you recommend keeping the private salt going at the same time as the NHS one then?

I was planning to stop the private one temporarily as the NHS SALT said that the children can get confused doing both at the same time.

Selfishly, I was looking forward to having a break financially too (£65 a week soon adds up!), plus it would be difficult to fit 2 sessions in a week from a practical point of view

Stop the private sessions just ensure that the two therapists talk to each other so ensure continuity.

It’s up to you Doubly but personally I wouldn’t. We only had a block of sessions with the NHS... and then had some very odd long break (talking 5 months !).

I think it’s quite rare to find a really good therapist. If your private therapist is fantastic ! I would keep hold of her. NHS therapists are a luck of the draw, we had some great ones and not so great one. Plus, as NHS therapists have MASSIVE caseloads, they tend to supplement vague therapeutic support. As private therapist have much less caseloads, the support for the child is much more individualise.

Yes the money is a worry, but if you can afford it, it’s an investment into your child’s future.

Would you recommend keeping the private salt going at the same time as the NHS one then?

Yes.

To be clear, the private sessions will definitely resume once the 6 week NHS course has finished (we’ve already got the sessions booked in every week after half term)

I’m just worried about confusing my son with 2 different things on the go at the same time, plus 2 sessions a week seems a lot for a 3 year old (he’s good at practicing things with me in between sessions)

If it’s only 6 weeks, then I would still keep going with the private sessions.

But that’s me, It’s up to you OP, it’s your money and your child.

Hi OP, we have both with DC who's 4 and at school. Private and NHS therapists talk to each other to make sure their work is complementary. Private SLT is keen not to go the same week as NHS therapist so as not to confuse him and it works well.

Separately, it's great for DC when our private SLT is at school as he's formed a great bond with her and he's delighted to see her - that really cheers him up for the whole school day Also, while school are generally ok at keeping us informed they tend to focus on challenges (of course) but when our private SLT goes in she gives us a different - and often more positive - perspective which is really reassuring for us too.

I would have a break from private even though you are pleased with what they are doing. The nhs SALT may have a fresh perspective and try something different. It might turn out that your indie SaLT is better but I think 2 sessions a week alongside you practicing what was done might just too much for your little one (and you)

Hi OP, don't know if you're still following this. Just to reassure you, my DD has verbal dyspraxia and 2 speech therapists, one private, one NHS. They liaise with one another, and both follow the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme, so they are using the same resources meaning its fairly seamless when we switch between providers. Hopefully yours will too. My private therapist agrees that at 3, one session a week is plenty (and I tend to find that DD is very tired by the end of a session). The bills sure do mount fast don't they!