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Speech and language therapy.

(5 Posts)
MiniMoon Thu 18-Feb-21 13:57:28

Are there any SLT providers here, either working or retired?
I have 2 grandsons with complex speech problems. They both have childhood apraxia of speech. One has consistent phonological disorder, and the other has inconsistent phonolohical disorder.
Both boys are on the autism spectrum, and the younger one has ADHD. They have poor working memory, so learning the speech sounds takes a long time.
They are 10 and 8 years old and home educated and my DD is doing a phenomenal job teaching them.
I wonder if anyone can point me in the direction of services and resources that would help my DD teach them literacy.
The speech therapy provision in our very rural area is woefully inadequate, but trying to find a private speech therapist is almost impossible with their limited finances.

Aveline Thu 18-Feb-21 16:00:57

I'd say that it's more important to focus on comprehension of language rather than expressive language (eg speech). Lots of ways to do this then think about helping the boys with ways to express themselves. Speech isn't the only way! I suggest that you contact the Royal Society of Speech and Language Therapy for info re local providers. You may need quite a specialist one.

Blossoming Thu 18-Feb-21 16:04:07

There is something called the PAL program but it needs to be supervised by a speech therapist. One of my grandnephews has benefited from it but he attends a private special school. I realise that’s not very helpful for you but I’ll ask his mum if she knows of anything.

Aveline Thu 18-Feb-21 16:11:09

On thinking about it. I reckon what the problem here might be motivation. The ASD and ADHD don't predispose them to listening or even wanting to listen to others. It's understandable that his mum wants to home school but broadening their social horizons could demonstrate the need to communicate more effectively. Obviously, for the one with ASD the socialisation aspect is a problem. There was a very special school at one point for just such children but I can't for the life of me remember where it was. It was very good so it's bound to have been closed down!
I'd say PM me but I don't think that works at present.

Fennel Fri 19-Feb-21 14:38:37

As Aveline implies, more socialising could slowly help.
Have they always been home-schooled, or just since Covid?
When I was working as an Ed. Psych. we had a wonderful Speech and Language Unit which no longer exists.
I'm still in touch with the teacher in charge of the Unit and next time I speak to her will ask her advice,
She's my age (early 80s) and has health problems so is no longer active in this field but has a wealth of experience.