At last! We had a visit from the autism specialist today who has agreed to take DS1 onto her case load. She agreed that the BIBIC recommendations were reasonable (daily salt from an LSA who is trained via weekly visits from a salt for half a term). They said the half a term bit might be difficult - but that doesn't amtter as he is only starting part time anyway. He will be getting 4 SALt visits a term- with the chance to increase if necessary (eg if he does turn out to have verbal dyspraxia as well).
I moaned about not being taken seriously whn I mentioned the possibility of verbal dyspraxia over a year ago. She asked whether the CDC had assessed him for that and looked faintly horrified when I said they hadn't even listened to him speak (I didn't tell her I was told I must be imagining him speaking as he wasn't able to).
Anyway at last. Phew. Celebratory curry tonight........