So frustrating

[sherrardk]

Thing 2 has been attending one-to-one speech therapy sessions for about four months and made some progress. The speech therapist went on maternity leave and he was transferred to a language group. We have been twice this week, for two hours each time, and I feel it is a bit of a cop out. It seems to be a vastly over-staffed, small playgroup for children with lots of problems, not just speech. I asked today what the plan was for his particular problem and the speech therapist was very half-hearted about it all - 'oh well, we use simple language, etc, etc'. The boy starts school next September and it takes at least six months to get him assessed for any additional funding that he might need to support him in school. His first review is not until the second week of November and I feel that is too long to just go along with things. Anyone got any thoughts on what I should be doing to impart a sense of urgency into the whole process (I did voice all of my concerns today but I hit a brick wall). Thanks. (Ps - he might well start talking of his own accord but I need to put things in place now, I can't stand the thought of him going to school, unable to communicate with anyone.)

[micmak]

Sher I don't know the problem with your child. Is he deaf, is he autisic. please explain.

[giveup]

Write to your MP, thats what we pay them for.E-Mail and follow up with a hard copy. Push, Push and keep pushing.

[anneasquith]

insist on a meeting with the manager of the speech therapy department, good luck.

[sherrardk]

Hi Micmak - he has no problems other than he cannot speak (as opposed to won't). They don't know why, but he is able to recognise the sounds of words but cannot actually form words. He tries to speak and sing but no one can really understand him apart from me (he uses some sign language and I know what words some sounds are supposed to be). If he was below average intelligence wise I would be the first to say so but he is actually quite (even very) bright (I would go so far as to say he is the brightest of my children).

[sherrardk]

Hi all - sorry, you weren't there just now. Do you think I should give it a bit longer before I start making a fuss? I am quite capable of making a nuisance of myself for my children.

[vallaw]

Does your local authority have any extended schools/full service schools with specialist units? They may be able to make sure your child gets the provision he needs in school. I used to work in local government children's services, and when I retired 3 years ago this type of provision was becoming much more widely available.

[welshlibranr]

Sher, don't let it rest there, keep pushing them, as other Abers have said!........if you stay quiet they'll just forget about you!.........irritate them into listening to you and acting to help your little man now!........good luck with it......

[giveup]

You are not making a fuss. As far as you are concerned your child is the most important thing Dont get fobbed off with second best, make yourself a b----- nuisance and keep doing it .

[sherrardk]

Even though his file was passed on, they were still surprised today when I gave them a list of the words he could sign. It just seems that this group is a bit of dumping ground for the children that they don't know how to help.

[vallaw]

If it's any consolation, I believe Albert Einstein was a late talker. Perhaps your boy hasn't yet found anybody he thinks worth talking to!

[micmak]

I would love to give you the answer sher, but i can't. Has Sqad been asked this Q. I would be interested in his reply, as I am sure you would.

[sherrardk]

Hi vallaw - you could be right there (but he did say 'i ov oo' to me (I love you)).

[welshlibranr]

Oh sher, that's awful!............they need to refer him to a unit that can help him then!........Tell them that you're not confident that they can help him, as ask where else he could go for the kind of help needed!...don't give up, there must be somewhere better!......

[sherrardk]

It's actually a bit grim to go really as the other children are obviously not getting the help they need (and they seem to need quite a bit really, not just with their speech) - and the parents dump them so quickly you don't even get to see who they are (they are all under five). Im not leaving my boy with a group of people he can't actually communicate with.

[giveup]

Your child is the important one Refuse to take any of their cr--, Let everyone else sort their own problems out. Be assertive and dont take any nonsense. Who is your MP?

[sherrardk]

It's Bill Wiggin, will have to do some research on him. Probably, I will make a big fuss and on the day of getting some important meeting the boy will start reciting Shakespeare!

[welshlibranr]

Oh sher, so sad that these parents just dump them there, Know that you'd never do that!........that's the problem, some of these parents are just looking for a place to dump these poor kids, and not somewhere where they will get thew help they need!........fight on for your little man sher!..if you make enough noise, then you should get results, but you need to make a lot of noise, and harass lots of people!......know you can do it!.....

[giveup]

Bill Wiggin 01568 612565( Probably his agent,) The agent is well paid to deal with constituents e-mail [email protected], Website leominsterconservatives.co.uk. Dont forget they work for us, keep on till they get fed up with you.

[sherrardk]

Thanks to everyone for your opinions and thoughts. Just thought I was jumping the gun (as I am prone to do when it comes to the kids) but I will now press on and get something sorted NOW. x