Any SALT advice appreciated - Is this normal?

[lou031205]

DD has GDD, and now MRI has shown cortical dysplasia. At 3.1 she had comprehension of 2.6, according to Reynell, and SALT said she felt expressive language the same.

Now, I feel that expressive speech has improved, but masks lack of understanding.

-One thing I have noticed, is that DD seems to use a lot of 'm' sounds in words, and I wondered if it was normal, and at what ages it would be considered normal/ abnormal?

Spaghetti - samingetti
Ballerina - Balmerilla etc.

She also seems to miss out the middle of lots of words

"Reey" - Really
"Hungy" - Hungry
"set" - upset

-Also, as time goes on, she seems to be getting a much wider vocab, but I am finding it harder and harder to understand her. Again, is this normal?

-I have been concerned that her speech contains a lot of echolalia, but the SALT we saw 4 months ago said that it was in context. It is, but it is in context because she has heard it in that context, if you see what I mean. When we answer her, she doesn't understand what we are saying. Also, she seems to learn a phrase as one word, IYSWIM, such as

"nattywoolly" - we think this is "nice and woolly"
"nattyclean" - "nice and clean"
"dontwe" - "don't we?"
"shallwe" - "shall we?"
"bowleat" - "bowl eat" (food)

I'd appreciate any help/advice, even if general, because we haven't seen the SALT since January (we were meant to have a review in March but I was in hospital, I have tried to get in contact via Health Visitor but no response as yet).

bump

anyone?

not a SALT but don't want to leave you unanswered. My experience is only of a language delayed child so in some ways I'm not the best person to ask about normal.

Can't really help with the mysterious "m" creeping in - possibly bubbla might know, her boy had pronunciation problems. In terms of missing out the syllables - DS did that a fair bit with new words - I think just model the correct one back each time she does it......

In terms of echolalia and learnt phrases - see it as a stepping stone - that she wants to say something, and is thinking os something to say - it's positive she wants to communicate. I found that these learnt phrases would only last a few months, and wouldn't "stick" in the same way that language learnt more ?naturally does.

A couple of things SALT recommended at the group for improving listening type skills - syllable clapping - one clap for each syllable of a word - and playing instruments under a blanket, then getting the kid to point to the one they think made the noise - possibly that might help?

That's helpful. Bump for any other thoughts

just one more bump

Lou, I'm a salt and can't comment directly as I don't know your child but I would be trying to get in tough with SALT dept direct, not going through HV which will take time.

Did you cancel last appt. or not turn up without telling them? Depending on which it was, this may have some bearing on delay.

Thanks moondog, the SALT operates from our HV'S clinic area, hence going through her, because she sees her every Monday.

My DH phoned the clinic to cancel. The SALT was on holiday directly after, but no contact since.

Why don't you ask your question here totsy.typepad.com/totsys_place/2009/05/may-childrens-communication-clinic-.html /

thank you, I will