developmetal delay speech and language and advice....

[Nointhemood]

ds who's 5 has been seeing s speech therapist its become apparent he has a developmental delay it was a complete shock so my head has been rolling today. Dh rang the speech therapist back with some questions and she said basically he's not at a level he should for his age and getting lost in the class. He seem's to have trouble following complex instructions etc and he gets his words mixed up sometimes.He needs someone to explain to him one to one.

Im so confused as he reached all his other milestones such as sitting, crawling, walking etc he even ignitially began talking early and putting sentences together it was just the fact he come to a stand still.There were no obvious signs i just dont what to make of it to be honest. I know theres alot of things he can't do and he needs to be sometimes and i know he's very interested in his play above anything else. He can be hyper and has a wild imagination my familty are compleltey shocked that they have said he has developmental delay.

Mmmm- a bit dubious about a SALT diagnosing global developmental delay. Your DS may well have language delay and within that may have trouble following multiple instructions particularly within a busy and noisy classroom but that does not constitute developmental delay...SALTS cannot diagnose anything beyond their remit of speech and language...I suggest you get a referral to a developmental paed vis your GP...try not to panic it sounds like your SALT is a wannabe paediatrician...this is NOT her place or her job...

Don't panic. This is a really tough thing to hear.

My two have dyslexia and dyspraxia, and when first diagnosed it took a long time for me to get my head around the idea that I had children with special needs, as opposed to special children with needs.

Despite the news they remain the same kids they were yesterday - just as charming and loveable.

I thought I did not have any expectations about what my kids would do or achieve in life. I discovered I had a load of preconceptions (that they would love curling up with a book as much as I do, for example). It is tough, but you learn your kids are individuals, not you.

Firstly, go to your GP and get a full assessment. Also, start getting your DS statemented, or at least get advice about whether that is appropriate.

My neighbour's son had no verbal language at all aged 4 and still has marked speech and language delay, but is coping at well at mainstream school with 35 hours a week support. He has friends and was voted onto the school council as the class rep, so clearly he is chatting away just fine.

Your school should have SENCO who can help you with this, otherwise your GP should be able to refer you to a paediatrician, or community paediatrician.

Take care.

Dont panic! My daughter was developing well at first, but round 2 years old her development slowed down. Up until then she spoke/ understood 2 languages and she was fine. Then her development slowed down and she spoke less and less, didnt play with other children of her age. At 3yrs she started nursery and there was a nursery assistant who looked after the SN children. She recommended we see a speech and language therapist, because my daughter doesnt communicate or socialise. After 8 months on waiting list we were told by therapist, daughter has delayed speech and language, delayed social skills. We were put on waiting list again to see the child development team. They diagnosed her as complex social communication disorder, but didnt get a more specific diagnosis. Daughter is getting speech and language therapy and attending sensory room weekly to help her. Shes on school action plus and has a personalised educational plan. Well have to wait another 8 months to see the child development team for a more specific diagnosis. Daughter doing fine and has some friends in school. Her speech is getting better. I just hate waiting for appointments!

To be fair, oddgirl, a SALT is qualified to say a child has a developmental delay with respect to language. I'm not sure that this SALT suggested it was global. Also, for example, I might share with parents that I think their language is delayed and that I would like a paed to look at the rest of their development to determine if other areas are delayed in explaining why I was writing a referral to a paed (to allow for informed consent etc) and that is also within the remit of a SALT. Obviously as this info is shocking to say the least, it may be interpreted as a SALT saying that a child has developmental delay without the SALT actually doing anything unprofessional at all.

Thankyou for the replies but what does delayed speech and language mean long term???

I mean to most people he seems like a normal little boy he's very chatty, friendly and socialble. His speech has come along way and its only now then he may get his sentense's in a jumble and mis-pronounce the one would. For eg he sometimes says 'i can't remembered' or 'me do it'. He may not pro-nounce the word 'stone' correctly instead saying 'sone'. Alot of friends and family understand him its just now and then he may stump us.

SALT said he seemed to have problems processing instructions when they were doing group work in school. He only seemed to get by copying what the other children did.the thing is he's very hyper, easily distracted and playful so depending on what day or mood he is in depends on what results you get. If he's tired and we are reading a storey he will just come out with nonsense but on another day he may be a bit more alert and able.

meant 'word'

bump anyone??

Apologies Mrsbean78-really wasnt trying to denigrate SALTs-I wd be lost without mine who had been our lifeline but felt that maybe OPs salt should have been clearer about precisely what she meant by "delayed" as it can strike fear into the heart of any parent as I am sure you know but I did sound a bit harsh!!
Nointhemood-my DS has moderate verbal dyspraxia which causes similar issues to your DS where he gets muddled in the middle of a sentence and his articultion used to be very poor but with great SALT input is transformed. My DS also has problems with processing and responds better 1-1 becoming easily distracted in a group. His teachers have been great at reinforcing information with very direct instruction & have been guided by the SALT in how to overcome some of these problems. How are your DS motor skills in general? But do try not to panic too much as a good salt will work wonders in helping all the issues you identify. I do think it may be worth you asking to see a paed though for a full assessment of all your concerns