Can I refuse a group SALT appointment and ask for an individual one?

[Frasersmum123]

Have been sent through Frasers SALT appointment, and it says on the letter that this might be a group session with other children, but doesnt say whether it actually is or is not.

I am going to ring on Monday and find out whether its an individual or group session.

AIBU (If it is a group session) to ask to be seen individually, especially as its our first appointment? Im not trying to be precious, but Fraser wont be comfortable in a room with other he doesnt know, especially children, he will cling to me and cry, and nothing I can do will stop him, only leaving.

Just read that back and I have put DS2's name

Oh well, you can guess it from my MN name anyway!

Ds1 was assessed 4 months ago and put on waiting list then i was told it was for small group. I phoned up and said he wont cope, will distrupt - he has autistic traits salt did try to say she has had asd kids in groups before blah, blah but stuck to my guns and we had app on his own will continue to unless he shows signs of being able to work in a group as he is starting preschool soon. So i would say phone them up explain the situation stress he will be disruptive. i would think though first session it will be an assesment so he will be on his own but always worth chescking,
cor what a load of waffle to sat you are right

Thanks Hungry Hippo.

Can see your points, ladies but as a salt myself, I stree the importance of interaction within a group situation.
1:1 is very unnatural and moreover, with our huge caseloads, just not possible most of the time, apaprt from for asessment.

Thats interesting Moondog - when you see children, do you take into account that the child is acting differently, or wont speak infront of others?

DS is only 2 and I am just worried he will come across as worse than he is, not that his speevh is great in the first place

I've done group therapy with DS, and have found it pretty good, it's been 2 or 3 SALTs with there being 3 to 6 kids in the group. One advantage of group therapy is that they focus on skills kids need in school/nursery, like turn taking and sitting and listening. So although I think 1-1 is slightly better, the groups aren't bad at all.

btw the kids should be grouped together according to language stage they are at iyswim, so your DS is likely to be with kids with similar problems.

FM, every salt knows that a child is acting below par in a group or test situation, and of course it is taken into acount.

Oh thats good, thanks everyone, he will come out of his shell eventually, it will just take a few sessions!

Can I ask what might actually happen in the session? Its not something I have ever had to do before, and I dont really know what to expect.

Depends.
They will probably want to concentrate on activities that deal with attention and waiting, turn taking, listening, responding to instructions, pretend play.

Maybe songs to start/finish (with actions), greetings, 'Simon Says' choosing simple musucal instruments.
It won't look much diiferent to any other group tbh. What will be useful is to ask them the purpose of each chosen activity.

DS's first group was for children with language delay who were at 3 word level (so their receptive language was at 3 word level, so could usually understand instructions like put the bear under the table). The group started with a simple game, mainly to practise turn taking skills then there was a signing song, then there was a story time, asking kids some basic questions related to the story, then there were one or two activities relating to receptive language (e.g. selecting the right picture from a number of others, or putting the correct item in the correct place), there was also a snack time at the table. General focus during the group on the children sitting down, paying attention, and taking turns.

Thanks everyone.

I phoned for an appointment this morning and have been given one for next Thursday, but its an individual one this time, so that they can assess him and see where he is at etc. Im really pleased its so soon as I was expecting weeks of waiting.

We were given a choice of monthly group sessions, or bi-monthly individual sessions.

After only a few months they realised this wasn't working so went back just to individual sessions.

YANBU!