Nervous about SALT change

[jakbrown]

Just as you think things are going well, something always happens to dampen your enthusiasm! DD has had an absolutely BRILLIANT speech therapist for the past two years. She's fantastic with DD, pro-ABA, supportive, everything you could wish for. But got a call yesterday from a new SALT I have never spoken to before saying DD has been passed over to her! She is the 'SALT manager' for our borough. She was asking about DD's timetable and I said, 'you do know DD is doing a home-based ABA programme?'. She said, 'mmmmmmm'. Eek. Bit nervous as statement review is imminent. First appointment with her on Nov 8 so will be on here ranting, no doubt, afterwards! Do you think there is anything sinister in it? DD's old SALT was crucial to her getting funding. [need nervous face here]

Anybody?!!!!

What has happened to the other SLT? Has she left? If not I think it would be perfectly reasonable to phone her, if you get on with her, and ask her why you have been moved and what it may mean. The "timetable" I used to show them at our (very few) reviews was hilarious as it said ABA session twice a day but included music therapy, trampolining, SLT session, aromatherapy etc etc, to the extent that I was quoted as an example of a parent who has managed to combine ABA with so many other important activities and had really understood about making sure DS got a lot of variety. In fact I was showing them a 40 hour a week Lovaas program but it read rather differently superficially..... suckers! We did do all those other things too though. You could try this as a tactic to show this new SLT that your child isn't "chained to a table being barked at" whcih is no doubt what she suspects.

Old SLT had longterm sick leave and I think she must have halved her caseload. I do feel a bit upset she hasn't called me but I know she's up to her eyes in it. I left a message on HER PHONE but this new SLT picked it up!!!! Yes, our programme includes lots of that- sensory room, swimming, soft play, TEACCH activities, special time following dd's lead etc. Not at all traditional but obviously has key principles (discrete trial and reinforcers etc) at heart. I I'm taking dd's lead therapist along so we'll have to amaze the new SLT!

Well I think you should concoct a timetable showing all those things, inc ABA sessions, but not necessarily showing how much time each activity takes up. Even put in "community trips" if part of ABA prog and any m/s school or other school sessions. SLTs seem to be the most misinformed people going about ABA for some reason, I had to work hard on ours years ago and she did change her view.

That's GREAT advice Davros . Yes, I had talked SLT One round and she really was honestly convinced about it's benefits for DD. Going to have to do it again! But I've found the thing people seem to react really negatively to is using food as a reinforcer. The thing is food is dd's LIFE. She first learnt to the concept of handing something over to communicate using a shrunk crisp packet! At a meeting last week with dd's therapist who's going to be her Link carer and the social worker, the social worker literally looked HORRIFIED when I gave dd a raisin for SPONTANEOUSLY putting a block in her elephant toy. We praise and sing too, of course. DD's consultant said the world is short-sighted and that we all live with reinforcers- a salary is a reinforcer!