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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Improving receptive language

56 replies

Saker · 22/02/2005 13:56

I am sure my ds2's receptive language is behind his expressive language at least in some ways. We are still waiting for a proper SALT assessment but I wondered if anyone knew of any exercises or books that could give me suggestions on how to work on this. I guess it is the harder part of language to work on?

OP posts:

Original poster

Saker · 22/02/2005 19:38

anyone? I've got a horrible feeling that there isn't much you can do

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beansontoast · 22/02/2005 20:11

umm..people might be ignoring you cos they think you are me!

i asked for specific advice like this quite recently and it was not well received.

you may have to reveal more to assuage their doubt.

of course it could be that no-one ahs any support or advice for you at the mo.

hope you get what you want soon..if not ill be happy to share my smallamount of knowledge with you.
x

Cristina7 · 22/02/2005 20:20

How old is he? My DS(5) is profoundly deaf and wears hearing aids. His language, both receptive and expressive, were and still are delayed. We used ideas from some books and the www.listen-up.org website, a few conferences and talks I went to, a summer school and just lots and lots of repetition and reading books together. His language is now quite good (his speech is excellent) although it still takes me by surprise sometimes when he doesn't know something very basic otherwise, a word so simple that I hadn't thought of specifically teaching it to him. I think it's also important not to get stuck in a rut, where you use the same phrases and words because you know he understands them and it's easy and comfortable for you both to keep to familiar things. We try and introduce new words or expressions everyday but we aren't as obsessive about this as we were 2 years ago, let's say. Nowadays he's also getting a lot from reading books by himself (reading them to us) and is also starting to get things by overhearing. This latter has taken ages to come about (he really is very deaf and can't overhear conversations unless there's a very quiet environment).

ThomCat · 22/02/2005 20:59

No-one would ignore anyone on here, I really can't see that, or anything being received badly, I'm sorry you would feel that way beansontoast.

Saker tell me a bit more about what you mean by what his receptive language is and what his expressive language is and remind me a bit about your DS please.

Mu DD is 3 and has DS so not sure I can help but I'll try.

Blossomhill · 22/02/2005 21:07

How old is ds Saker as these may be of some help baby bumblebee

With my dd who is 5 and a half her receptive and expressive language improved immensely once she went to her current school placement with the langauge unit. She had some intensive SALT and her receptive and expressive improved by 18 months, making them age appropriate. Could you not ask your SALT to give you things to do at home as we did and they did seem to help

If I can think of anything else I'll let you know!

heartinthecountry · 22/02/2005 21:19

beansontoast - I was a bit taken aback by your post too. I think generally those of us who post on here are only too happy to share anything we can. Sometimes we can't answer a question or sometimes we just haven't seen it, but I really don't think anyone ignores posts. I'm sorry if you felt this happenned with anything you posted recently.

Saker - I have actually found the opposite with my dd, as in her receptive language seems better than her expressive. As in, I think she understands a fair amount but can't really say anything (though signs a bit now). So I am probably not best placed to answer. The only things I would suggest are probably things you do all the time already like repetition, looking at books together and naming things oh, and singing. Apparently singing and action rhymes can be really good. But these are all just basic SALT things and not sure they would necessarily help receptive language over expressive. Basically, I don't know enough myself!! Where's Mizmiz?

Hope you get your SALT assessment soon.

MrsFROSTgetful · 22/02/2005 21:25

feel the same too....i reckon for every 10 posts i read i probably only get time to post back on 2 or 3.... however my thoughts are still focussed on all that i have read!

Original poster

Saker · 22/02/2005 21:27

Thanks for the responses. I don't remember your original post beansontoast but I'm sorry that you felt ignored.

My ds2 is 3.5y and has motor and co-ordination problems, articulation problems in that his language is quite unclear. He doesn't have a diagnosis but I think dyspraxia is a possibility, although he would probably be described as global developmental delay at the moment. He has been assessed by a SALT a year ago and reviewed last in July but then it has all sort of petered out. He attended a communication group but it was very structured and more aimed at autistic children and he didn't really seem to benefit from it at all. In January we had a meeting of the professionals invovled with him (but SALT didn't attend) and the paed has now written back to the SALT to request they assess him again. Other people have suggested he has processing difficulties and trouble with motor planning and organisation which may be affecting his speech. It's hard to say exactly what he doesn't understand - he could answer or respond to questions like "Where's the tiger" or "Who ate all the crackers?" (Fimbles one!) or "Get your shoes" and he understands things like where we are going and who will be there but he doesn't seem to get other things that children of his age would, like explanations for things or more complicated instructions.

Also I would say he is a little bit echolalic and mixes up pronouns sometimes - but he has a lot of spontaneous speech and uses sentences. Btw he has been looked at for autism and not thought to be autistic and his hearing seems to be okay.

Sorry that's a lot of words not to make much sense. He really really needs an assessment from a speech therapist. We have tried to go privately once, but after the initial consultation, even the private SALT would not get back to me and after 4 telephone calls, I gave up with her.

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Blossomhill · 22/02/2005 21:30

This book looks great

Only wish I had seen this a few years ago as dd is 5 and a half and it is for 0 - 6 years! Looks really good though and it is a well known fact that children learn a lot of language through play

Merlot · 22/02/2005 21:42

Thanks for the recommendation Blossomhill - I've just ordered a copy from Amazon

Beansontoast - Sorry that you felt ignored, I dont remember seeing your post (although I've found it now). My little one has only just started out on the SALT journey and so cant really share any good ideas with you.

Blossomhill · 22/02/2005 21:45

You're welcome Merlot .
I was thinking as dd is slightly delayed emotionally should I order a copy anyway as there might be some interesting things as dd does find play quite difficult.

Merlot · 22/02/2005 21:49

It couldn't hurt BH. I'll let you know what its like when it arrives

Blossomhill · 22/02/2005 21:49

That would be great Merlot, thanks

Original poster

Saker · 22/02/2005 21:54

I ordered that book myself a while back but tbh I wasn't that impressed and sent it back again. It is quite American and I didn't think it was suggesting anything particularly new. However that was just my opinion, I will be interested to see what you think of it. Thanks a lot for the links though BH.

Cristina - I know just what you mean about sticking to the same phrases. Also ds2 wants to - I'm sure that this is some of the reason for his "echolalia" and pronoun reversal - he often says things that he wants me to say to him e.g. he will say "how are you ds2?" then if I repeat the question he will say "fine". I think he feels safer steering the conversation down lines he understands.

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Blossomhill · 22/02/2005 21:55

Sorry merlot, I feel really bad now

Blossomhill · 22/02/2005 21:55

We went on the Hanen Programme which was very useful

Merlot · 22/02/2005 22:00

Ummmm - I know what you mean about some books being very American. However, I'll give it a go and report back

Merlot · 22/02/2005 22:02

BH dont feel bad. As I've ordered it on Amazon I've got up to 90 minutes to cancel it, but I think it looks worth a try... Will let you know in due course

Blossomhill · 22/02/2005 22:03

Ah thanks. You are a sweetie xxx

coppertop · 22/02/2005 22:15

Sorry I missed your other thread, beansontoast. If I'd seen it I would've definitely replied. My 4yr-old had SALT for about a year to help with his receptive language and my 2yr-old is just about to start.

Davros · 22/02/2005 22:16

Its very common for children with ASD to have better receptive than expressive language but there is a small sub-set that are the reverse. I know you say he prob hasn't got ASD and it certainly sounds like that. I found with my DS, who has great receptive language, just a lot of exposure to things other than specifically language really helped, e.g. teaching colours, shapes etc has the side effect of increasing vocab iyswim. I would also look at some of the special needs catalogues on line if you can, there too many good books to know where to start! Have you tried the NAS publications section? or Afasic? Also Don Johnson. My favourite is a US site which is run by a parent of a child with ASD, even if you don't want to order from the USA it might give you some ideas, www.difflearn.com. Sorry not much help.

Original poster

Saker · 22/02/2005 22:31

Thanks Davros, I will look at the sites you mention. The trouble is no-one seems to know what to make of him - even the speech therapist says he is a puzzle - not that I think that is a good reason for her to do nothing. It is hard to work out what is going on. Because he has problems with motor planning, then it is possible in some instances he has understood what is asked of him but is unable to carry it out.

Merlot and BH - sorry about the book - I hope you do like it. Probably just didn't suit me as it has good reviews I think .

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Davros · 22/02/2005 22:32

What about private SLT? I know, you shouldn't have to but might be worth it.

Original poster

Saker · 23/02/2005 09:48

Yes, we have tried to go privately. I contacted a SALT locally who was recommended by a couple of people and she suggested that a couple of sessions a week of assistant-led therapy would be worthwhile. I have contacted her a few times to try and set this up and every time she has promised to get back to me with details within the week but never has. So I sort of gave up. Given that he has other areas of difficulty I then decided to "register" him with the Dyscovery Centre in Cardiff who specialise in DCD / dyspraxia and could do OT and PT assessments as well as SALT. They would see him although they suggest waiting a bit longer to see if the promised NHS appts materialise. So that is why I was wondering if there was anything I can do with him in the meantime. If I don't get anywhere with the NHS or the Dyscovery Centre then I will try and find another speech therapist locally. It's so frustrating because I feel that the time when we could really be doing something for him is just ticking by.

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Blossomhill · 23/02/2005 09:54

Saker - In my experience 3-4 is a difficult age to know exactly what is going on. Dd is now 5 and a half and her difficulties are becoming more apparent now than they were at 3-4 as I belive the gap does start to widen with there peers.

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