SALT in part 2 of statement?

[Jimjams]

Hi- question for anyone with speech therapy specified in the statement (Davros??)

Have just discovered that my local LEA will not put SALT in part 2 as they say it is Health. Obviously this contravenes the Lancashire judgment made in 1989, but despite this a friend has been told she will have to go to tribunal. We have meetings coming up on this soon. I am keen to avoid a tribunal as although we would clearly win it will delay the statementing. I have written to the LEA this morning referring them to the judgment. Just wondered whether anyone else had been through this and how easy was it to get the LEA to back down?

Excellent! I bumped into a dad a know today who said he got quite "firm" with them and he's a journalist!! I intimidate them with one of my piddly skills by writing everything down verbatim in shorthand!!

Good Luck jimjams, hope you get something positive out of it this time

Meeting went well. They agreed to everything (including 1.0 of support- yeah!) except putting SALT in part 2 and 3- although they kind of agreed to it going in part 2 and part6- which I think would suit us. They're off to discuss it further with their bosses.

Only fly in the ointment was ds1 seeing his new SALT today for the first time and she sees determined to spend more time discussing where he is on the spectrum than actually giving any SALT. I've already moaned about this on nightmare social occasions threaf though.

1 step forward 2 steps back.

And the great news- we have found a private SALT who is very experienced in autism and sounded very nice. Meeting her on Friday. I have given up with the NHS- asides from anything else it all seems to be getting too political.

glad your meeting went well jimjams. I have replied to your other message about your stupid SALT

Glad your meeting went well Jimjams. I'm a bit concerned that the LEA are not agreeing to put SALT in Pt3 though, as that's where it needs to be (as well as in Pt2) for the LEA to have an obligation to make sure it is provided. Don't want to put a downer on things, but in your earlier posts you seemed pretty certain that you wanted it in Pt3 (Harrow & Lancashire judgements etc) - just wondered what the LEA have said to reassure you that it will be OK for SALT to be just in Pt2 & 6?

It kind of is in part 3 anyway kyliebump- in that it says daily SALT will be provided by an LSA who has rceived suitable training and training in PECS under the guidance of a SALT - etc etc.

They don't want to move the bit saying that they will request the service is provided by the NHS into part 3- but I don't really think that makes any difference. If they say the LSA has to be suitably trained etc then he should get daily SALT. I did point out that I could request a specific number of hours in part 3- (code of practice etc) but I knoew that would make life difficult for them so we were happy(ish) to keep it a bit vaguer- providing it was clear in part 3 that some sort of daily SALT was being provided.

Mind you I'm meeting a friend next week who had her statement checked over and altered by a solicitor- so we may request a few more changes after then I'm not too fussed about this statement as he may well be part time for the first year anyway - and I do trust the school. It's practice for year 1's statement

It kind of is in part 3 anyway kyliebump- in that it says daily SALT will be provided by an LSA who has rceived suitable training and training in PECS under the guidance of a SALT - etc etc.

They don't want to move the bit saying that they will request the service is provided by the NHS into part 3- but I don't really think that makes any difference. If they say the LSA has to be suitably trained etc then he should get daily SALT. I did point out that I could request a specific number of hours in part 3- (code of practice etc) but I knoew that would make life difficult for them so we were happy(ish) to keep it a bit vaguer- providing it was clear in part 3 that some sort of daily SALT was being provided.

Mind you I'm meeting a friend next week who had her statement checked over and altered by a solicitor- so we may request a few more changes after then I'm not too fussed about this statement as he may well be part time for the first year anyway - and I do trust the school. It's practice for year 1's statement

Sounds like you've got SALT pretty much covered in Pt3 then Jimjams - hope all goes well at the beginning of term.

Thanks kyliebump- he's not starting until the end of September anyway- so I'm still fairly relaxed. Jitters will come later Thanks for all your help.

Jimjams or anyone else, just wondered if you may be able to help. DD who is 21 months and not walking independently or talking had her developmental assessment today. While they have no concerns about her general or physical development, they are concerned by her lack of speech and have suggested a speech therapist. They did say SALT resources locally were very stretched and that it would take at least 3 months for an initial appointment. As we had to wait almost 4 months for the development assessment, I would really like to be able to push ahead with this.

I just wondered whether anyone knew how I could arrange to see a speech therapist privately? Is it just a question of getting a referral from our GP?. Many thanks in advance.

No GP needed, Have a look here and take your pick (but be ready to keel over at the cost- lots will see you once give you a report and stuff to do at home- we found that useful when ds1 was younger). You just ring them direct. Are you having any further review appointments? It would be worth going onto the NHS waiting list as well (as you can always cancel if you don't need it) Good luck!

Also bells you can ask your HV which SALT you will be refered to, get their phone number and badger them as much as possible. It has always worked for me

Or even if it is 3 months wait ring up the SALT and book an appointment for 3 months time, then this will give you a definate date or timescale.

bells2- just another thought. My 21 month old isn't talking either, (well he's only using what the SALTs call jargon with a few of his own made up words) however he is communicating very well, by which I mean he points, follows a point, fetches me, shows me things, follows instructions. If your dd is doing all that then I wouldn't worry too much about her not talking. A SALT could out your mind at rest though.

The other thing you could do is self refer to portage. They're generally very good. Are they checking hearing? Just another thought as again its usually long waiting lists, and always worth doing early on in any set of assessments.

Bells - my 25 months old had her assessment today too !
She IS talking but I can tell you that my 2 friends' kids are at least 2 months older and BARELY speak - one says NOTHING! It is very common for 2yo (particularely when they have sibblings) to be quiet and suddenly they are off and you can't shut them up

Bells I don't know all the details about your DD but am surprised your HV thinks lack of speech at that age is a problem.
My DD was well over two before she spoke and having started won't stop! (now almost three) I know plenty other kids who were the same at that age.

I have been known to say this before on mumsnet and I'll say it again. Lack of speech in a child under 2 is not a problem. It is relatively easy to pick up children with potential language problems and these children should be seen as soon as possible. Unfortunately most HV couldn;t pick up a language problem if it was staring right at them. These are all signs that there may be a problem, and if anyone's +18 months old child exhibited these I would say get further assessments and help asap.

No pointing to things of interest
difficulty or inability to follow a point
no or very few gestures
inability to follow simple instructions eg "where's your shoes"
inability to point when asked eg "where's the light?"

Unfortunately HVs don't realise the signifcance of this and focus on talking which is the least important skill in communicating iyswim.

Sorry to sound bullish but having spent over a year being passed from pillar to post when the signs of a language problem were glaringly obvious at 18 months I can't emphasise the importance of pushing for input if your child shows the above features. We've only just started getting regular SALT and ds1 is now 4 and a half (and we've been in the "system" since before he was 2).

Jimjams - that is a useful post - sorry to hear how this has affected you though !
Are you seeing progress though ? (finally!)

Glad the post was useful. I've moaned about this before. it should be farily easy to spot the children who are at risk of developing communication disorders when they are 18 months old, but still they just get ignored until they're 3 and it drives me mad! Such wasted time.

Depends what you mean by progress! A SALT has now been booked in to see ds1 every 3 weeks or so until the end of term (she doesn't actually work with him - she sets up programmes and trains staff). We have employed a private salt though as the NHS one isn't working on his speech problem at all (he has a language disorder but also a serious speech disorder). I wouldn't say we're seeing particular progress - although I have to remind myself that he can now follow simple instructions/point/is beginning to understand prepositions etc. It is nice to have the prefessionals on board at last and not feel as if we're floundering around in the dark. I think going to mainstream school has been good in terms of getting the services involved, as they can't really ignore him any more.

Sorry to ask this bells2 but has your dd got a diagnosis are you waiting on this? You have most probably said before and I am most probably just being nosey

Jimjams - I was -still - thinking about your post and it made me think that if HV are crap are assessing real speech problems than they are probably clogging the system with kids who don't need it

pupuce I know I am not jimjams but what you have said is true of some ( well alot of) HV

I don't know pupce- HV never seem to want to refer on for anything...... I could have a rant about the system for picking up developmental problems as I've heard the same stories time and time again. I might have one later, but our SALT is due to arrive soon.....

Thanks so much for all the info and especially that site. DD isn't walking independendently although will happily walk when held by one hand. In terms of her general development, she was assessed by the paed's as being in line with the general development checklist athough a little behind in one or two areas. She does all the things on Jimjam's checklist although the number of objects she recognises is relatively limited. According to the paed's, her speech is at the level of a 10 month old and they are concerned at her lack of progress. The only thing resembling a word she says is "Do" (without the g) when she sees a dog. She makes lots of noise but only really vowels, not consonants.

To be honest, I am not hugely concerned about her speech as her father was apparently a very late talker (and for that matter, walker). I also really don't want to use up SALT resources that could be directed at children who would clearly benefit more. She is however an extremely frustrated little thing who would dearly love to be able to communicate, particularly as she can't walk either.

Anyway thanks so much for all the info and helpful posts. Think I will get in touch with a therapist and at least get their opinion.

Another good resource bells is Babytalk by Sally Ward. It's in most bookshops and is pretty helpful. I've now used three therapists from that website and they've all been good.