Hi signandsay thank you for asking, I am touched.
He was actually really good. Obviously picked up loads in the last 8 months since he started (he was on orientation when he met us).
He took detailed notes of the areas DD1 struggles with (everything, lol). He had brought with him the recommendations that they made when they came as an 'outreach' visit (because the WL was so long they knew they wouldn't get to us for months). So we went through those.
WRT to SAL, he asked whether we used PECS (have asked SALT but she didn't help), and we explained that we had wanted to but had no assistance. So he asked what the SALT had suggested? Nothing. He didn't believe me/it. So after a few more questions, which established that yes, indeed, she had suggested diddly squat, I showed him the report she wrote for statementing, that clearly shows DD has 'word-finding difficulties with nouns'. There were no recommendations made.
He is going to contact SALT and give her a bit of a boot up the backside, and ask her whether DD should be using photos or symbols for PECS?
He is going to go into preschool and observe DD. Then in early April do a home visit to observe her at home. Then the following week will come out again to give suggestions.
All very positive. He reckons that we will be better placed to request respite for DD once she starts Special school, because it will flag to SS that she is having long-term needs.