Statements for Speech Delay/Disorder?

[TotalChaos]

DS is starting Reception in September. He has delayed speech and very delayed understanding. He had one joint clinic appointment where they "probably" thought he didn't have ASD, and I'm not aware of any further plans for them to see him (if I don't receive any paperwork from them soon I will phone up and find out what's next). It was suggested that they would consider a language unit place after a term or two in reception. Because DS would be in the exact same class for reception as nursery, I am OK with this idea, as it won't mean he is upheaved too much by starting reception.

He's very keen to comply with and copy the other children, so there aren't really behaviour problems (?yet). I want to apply for a statement as I want to try and get some proper formal help in place before things to go tits up. Do I have a cat in hell's chance of getting a statement for him? Even if I don't have a cat in hell's chance, I don't see that applying for a statement can do any harm. Atm you see he can probably manage without 1-1, but I think that if he had some part time 1-1 to help with speech etc that would be beneficial. I would be grateful for your thoughts and advice ladies?

one thing though about 1-1- there is a good upside in getting it if you can; ds3's 1-1 does a daily speech therapy program with him (actually i'd quite like to do it but nobody has shown me) which ahs to be a good thing, can you imagine trying to get daily SALT off the NHS? PMSl at the very idea....

Thanks all for the helpful posts and kick up the arse. I think part of my being so cagey about asking for 1-1 is because school don't feel DS needs it, and I'm a bit overconscious of the threat of MSBP accusations.

I'm finding it a rollercoaster atm in thinking through what to do for the best re: DS's education - Feb NHS SALT reckoning DS expressive speech was age appropriate but receptive speech sufficiently concerning to merit specialist SALT help AND ed psych cognitive testing, whilst today's private assessment (and tbh have far more faith in my private lady) has shown him to be roughly equal in both (13 months delay, possibly slightly more in expressive.).

How is his expressive speech age appropriate? Does he ask for things, tell you things? Does he let you know that he's scared of the yellow spotted monster in his wardrobe? Does he tell you that Ethelburga in his nursery isn't nice and not his friend because she kicked him? Does he tell you that he likes your hair, because it's soft, or because it reminds him of (name something)? If another child came up to him and started talking could he have an age appropriate conversation with him?
Ds1 can tell you numbers until the cows come home. He can tell you colours. He can repeat phrases like "T switched off a light" and "S shut the door" referring to things that happened ages ago. He can repeat back stories. He can repeat back phrases and words he's heard either just before or quite a while before. But he cannot have a conversation. He still struggles to let us know that he wants things. In other words, one of his difficulties can easily be explained by the term "impairment in social communication".
And it's hard to explain to people who aren't professionals in the field of child development or who don't know him well. They'll see, for example, Ds1 counting the house numbers and saying "a round da lane" and think that's good, not realising he does that exact thing almost every day.

Oh his expressive speech definitely isn't age appropriate - both me, nursery and private SALT are all in agreement on that one, and I think even NHS SALT had to accept that just because his sentence length is getting more appropriate, doesn't mean all is fine and dandy. He is getting much better than he has been at reporting basic things - "E hurt Steven!" or "E kiss Steven!" shortly after it happened, or if I asked him what he ate at school I now get a coherent answer. Conversation still rather lagging...

have you sent an e-mail to my hotmail addy then?

He's doing well though TC thats a bigb step from where he was isn't it? . far outstripping ds3 now! Well done to your lo!

thanks Peachy, I hope that PECs helps DS3 with his communication, I think it really helped my DS. Is he still enjoying the computer lots

Thanks for posting this question. I have a DD 3.5yr not due to start reception until Sept 2009. She has reasonably bad speech issues with a tentative label of verbal dyspraxia. She attends pre-school 2.5days a week. Presumably from the responses here I could consider applying for a statement for her now?? - though I understand it is no guarantee of success in that. If she was to get a statement what might that mean in terms of the pre-school if anything. They are aware of her problems there and we find them quite supportive, but I am currently very about the severe lack of speech therapy on offer from the NHS. We do get very occasional sessions but nowhere near enough help in my opinion. Could this change if she gets a statement do you know???? Just to add a little spanner in the works, we are thinking of applying for a school across the border in another borough. Does this affect anything with the statement do you know?
Sorry to hijack and so many questions but it has really made me think.

Beautiful, entire UK is trying to do away with statements (because they are legally binding documents that guarantee a certain level of support.) They will probably try to fob you off and tell you they don't do them.
Ignore them.
Get to your local Parent Partnership office for assistance and when drawing up stateemnt, IPSEA can help.

No, there aren't enough SALTS (of which i am one) and unless people start kicking off more,there never weill be.)

erm you could say he enjoys the pc yes lol (he shows ds1 and ds2 what to do)- more than a bit obsessive

never mind though, they do a games programming degree here....

Thanks moondog. I have done rather a lot of kicking off already with the local SALT re policy anyway, but that is another story altogether. It is horrendous that parents need to fight for entirely necessary treatment for their kids.

I shall look into the local parent partnership office and IPSEA.

Don't waste time fighting at salt dept. level.Go higher.Head of directorate. The chief exec. (make formal complaint) Then ask for an Independent review. Get hold of complaints procedure leaflet and follw it through. Get your local Comm. health council on board (they act as patient's advocate).

beautifulgirls - no need to apologise, you have lots of relevant qs.

I am hoping that a statement would mean a legal entitlement to more speech therapy. Not so concerned about DS having 1-1. In terms of applying to schools in a different border across the borough - why don't you phone up both your local SALT department and the prospective school and ask them what happens if a child goes to a school in a neighbouring borough re:speech therapy.

Moondog - thanks v much for your info about complaining. shall have to put it into practice.

Pleasure TC. Unless it is flagged up continuously at a high enough level, then nothing will change.
If salt included in appropriate part of statement (there are 5 parts, and educational needs are included in part 3 which is the educational requirements part. Don't let ANYONE tell you it is not an educational need. This is what has happened for years and it is scandalous. Languae is the door to everything else. Without it you are stuffed.)

Best of luck.

Thanks