Moondog - ASD what would form part of a assessment?

[debs40]

Moondog,

Following on from our discussion last night, can I ask how a SALT would usually test (if there is a test) formally for social communication difficulties? Is it simply observational or is there a specific test??

Similarly, as part of this, how are pragmatic language abilities testted/assessed?

Thanks

There are quantitative assessments such as the Vineland Adaptive Scales or the more eccessible Pragmatics Profile which could be used in conjunction with observation.

Depends on area to area.No set rules.
Ask them how they do it!

good point - thanks!

I should add, this is when I initially queried the discharge, the community paediatrician spoke to SALT team and saoid:

"The referral to speech therapy was partly to help us in our understanding of DS's skills and difficulties. So we needed to know whether he had a language delay or disorder contributing to his difficulties. It is good that his language skills are good and that he does not need speech therapy as such. We also needed their view on his social skills.

Helping him with his social skills is something which should be done in school, and there are a variety of people and toolkits that they can use to do this. The Educational Psychologist is also there to advise school and support DS."

To me, that doesn't really explain why SALT aren't overseeing this when they've identified the need. Is this really something that should be left to school.

I agree that social skills need to be worked on by the people with whom he spends most of his time. No point doing it in a pull-out situation with a SALT he may see once a term!

Targets set need to be SMART (specific/measurable/attainable/relevant/timebound)

This is cited in guide to best practice. So all you need to do is see them and ascertain iif they are.You're a lawyer aren't you-that should be easy!

I think everyone needs to relaise that in today's current climate, within context of tthe heavily burdened under resources NHS service that is SALT, nobody is going to get more than the very basics.

How and if you fight for more and/or access private help is a decision only you can make.

Thanks Moondog. I do appreciate your insight and the limits on services.

I also fully appreciate that school is the place to do the social skills work but to leave it to TAs who have no specialist training seems bizarre.

I understand the targets are to be SMART but it takes a particular knowledgeable teacher to set targets for social skills for a child with ASD.

I have also learnt recently that schools won't refer for Ed Psych guidance as they are protective of their time allocation.

Where does this leave the parent? Stuck in between one service who won't help even though it's part of their mandate and another who don't help because they haven't got the training/knowledge.

I agree.It's shit, utterly shit.
Anyone can see that.
It's what all the latest reviews and consultations say too-The Bercow report, Lamb inquiry and so on.

Ta, at least we've got each other!!

MN is great-a really well informed online community.
It has made such a difference in this field.I can't comprehend how isolated and afraid some peopel felt (and probably still do)