Waiting list choice - SLT sessions vs Autism team

[Nabeelah101]

My 30 month old is a late talker with some signs of being in the spectrum (walking on tiptoes, fingers in ears a lot, extremely extremely shy). I feel like she’s falling further and further behind every month but have no idea how to get proper support. Everything I read says early intervention is key and then there’s nothing available. Even the private SLTs near us are all booked up for the next few months (we’re on all the waiting lists). We’re also hoping to move further out into the suburbs to be near family but I have a feeling that will shove us to the back of any waiting lists…

What can I do? My daughter was recently assessed by the local speech and language team and they offered us a choice:

1. We can go on a five month waiting list for some parent-focused SLT sessions. This will be virtual. For example, I’ll send in video of me interacting with my child and will get personalised feedback on how I can improve my technique. We’ve already had some in-person group sessions that focused on this though, and are also working through the Hanen book by ourselves.
2. we can go on a longer ten-month waiting list for the social communication team for an ASD assessment. They might decide we don’t meet the criteria though. Their team has speech and language therapists, a psychologist, a paediatrician etc.

I have no idea which path will give us more support faster or how to access one-on-one SLT or other support. Any thoughts from parents further down this path?

If I had to choose, I'd go for the autism assessment list, but I'd be pushing for an explanation as to why she couldn't be on both lists. You could also apply for a EHCP statutory assessment independently, or ask her nursery to, if she has one. The assessment will then include a SaLT assessment, and any recommendations they give for ongoing suport should be written into her plan.

Legally the EHCP assessment has to be completed within 20 weeks, so the LA will have to find a SaLT to do it, probably in first 10 weeks, as there are other stages after. Once the plan is written, she will be legally entitled to whatever SaLT suport is in it, so again LA will have to find someone / push her to the top of the list.

Is she attending nursery? They can push for assessment, GP too. Call up everyday if you have to.
I’d recommend the Hanen programme, books are called more than words and it takes two. You can also do the programme privately

I’ve delayed my 4yr starting school as she’s non verbal and not ready, also doesn’t have EHCP

I would go down the autism assessment route. I must say all this virtual stuff is doing my head in. My daughter was on the waiting list for the occupational therapist for a year. Got an appointment. After that virtual. It was one day a week for four weeks. She’s now been discharged. Without ever meeting my child. Sorry to rant but it’s a joke. Sorry to go off.. I would be pushing for an ASD assessment and hearing checks. Good luck you to both ❤️