I need some advice!
I have a 4 year old with CP who also has severe language aqusition delay. He understands everything you say to him and tries to talk, but only his close family (somethimes only me!) can understand him. Anyone outside the family hasn't got a clue what he is saying. To listen to, he sounds like a 18month old who is learning to talk, as he cannot pronounce consonant sounds well. I am sure (and always have been) that his problems are caused by his CP and that he needs to be shown how to use the muscles in his mouth / jaw properly. eg. I once spoke to a SALT who explained how to teach him to make a 'c' sound, by placing his finger on his tongue. This worked instantly, and he can now say cat, milk etc, no problem. He is NOT getting the appropriate speech therapy at the mo - he is been treated like an 'ordinary' child with language delay - not a child with physical disabilities.
I wanted to know if SALT's specialised in children with CP / physical disabilities, and if it was a more specialised or different technique to helping other children. I am really worried about his speech - there is no way he can live independently if he can't communicate, and I am sure, if he was shown properly, that he would be able to communicate much more effectively than he does now.
I asked our neurologist to refer him to our specialist children's hospital (which is out of our area) for SALT, but they have replied and said they couldn't help. Where do I go now? I am seriously considering contacting my local MP as my PCT is failing my son completely.
Please help!