SALT help ,please

[snapD]

Child I care for saw a SALT for the first time yesterday

He has been diagnosed with severe development delay - but is coming on very well

The SALT has told the parents the he just isn't bothering to say the words right and that he is too lazy to learn.

This child is desperate to communicate. He has a large vocabulary and only a small number of understandable words to an outsider but those who care for him understand much more.

I & my colleagues have no qualification in this field but it seems to be that it doesn't sound like he thinks it does & that maybe his mouth doesn't make the sounds he needs

His parents were devastated by the implication that he is lazy and we don't think he is.

What happens now? Do we just repeat words at him as the SALT wants us to?

I'm not a SALT but if any professional told me that my child was too lazy to learn, then I would instantly decide that they know nothing about children with sn. Personally I would demand a second assessment by a different SALT, explaining very clearly and firmly just why the first SALT was worse than useless.

I'm really cross about this. These children try so hard.

thats disgusting.
SALT here. did she suggest any signing to help him get his message across? what is her treatment plan?
does he hace any motor issues?

thats disgusting.
SALT here. did she suggest any signing to help him get his message across? what is her treatment plan?
does he hace any motor issues?

He is desperate to talk

He is saying complex sentences and looks at us with such confusion in his eyes when we don't get it

Parents are a bit at the SALT but almost believe them

I'm not a SALT, but that doesn't sound right to me. As an interested amateur (parent of a speech delayed kid), I would be wondering about some sort of motor issues (e.g. verbal dyspraxia), and whether some sort of alternative form of communication might help reduce frustration till his pronunciation improves (signing or pecs). Pecs = picture exchange system - kids point at little pictograms in a book to say what they want (obviously encouraing them to try and speak the word at the same time)

His motor has been really improving - he still wobbles & falls when tired (he is only 2.1) and his fine motor skills are delayed but getting there

We are to keep repeating words at him until he learns them & says them right

We have a communication board he doesn't really use it but we can push it a bit more

As we are close to him we do understand more than the SALT would have but it seems mean to correct him - we just use the words he has used in a sentence after him iyswim

He sounds so much like my little boy! What a stupid SALT . I introduced signing to my son as he desperately wanted to communicate - it helped him a treat! I also use a homeopath - we approached her for a completely different reason initially, but she has made a HUGE difference to his speech! I would NEVER have believed that herbal mdication couldmake such a massive impact - it still amazes me now - almost a year on! He is now talking in short sentences (5 or 6 words) and is a lot easier to understand. Good luck. Definately ask for a second opinion.

SALT here too. Get a second opinion. Sounds totally wrong.