Parenting Forums

Posted: 14 September 2007 at 8:11pm | IP Logged

Harry has been under a speech therapist for 2 years now.  He started yet another course on Tuesday and it was the same thing again. 

He find's the session boring, babyish and then acts up.  Refuses to part take and becomes the speech therapists nightmare and the whole thing becomes stressful for everyone.

He generally has about 4 sessions a year, 6 week long sessions followed by months on a waiting list.  He is now on his 5th speech therapist and i really dont think we are going to get anywhere with this one.

What I'm trying to say is, is it worth it?  I dont really think he gets much from the sessions, I've explained his current situation to each and everyone of the therapists, told them what he likes, dislikes how to keep his attention etc.. but it seems to fall on deaf ears.

The 45mins seem to be a waste of everybodys time.  I dont think we can afford private sessions and wouldn't know where to begin to look for them.

I'm on a bit of a downer with anything harry related recently as everything I do to try and help him seems doomed to fail.

I'm afraid that if i tell the speech therapist the sessions are pointless as he wont get much from them, then it'll look bad on me and will go against us getting the help we need to find out whats wrong with him. That and the fact that if his speech doesnt improve (which it has recently anyway) then it'll be all my fault

ah I'm so confused

Posted: 14 September 2007 at 8:24pm | IP Logged

Sorry - again I have no experience with this, but reading your post it occurred to me - would it make any difference if Harry saw the same speech therapist, or would that not matter? It must be tiring to have to go through everything each time you see someone different. I would have thought that the speech therapists should be used to dealing with all kinds of different personalities in the children they work with - you certainly shouldn't be coming away from your appointments feeling like wee Harry was their 'nightmare'. Don't feel that this is your fault. You should be getting much more help with finding out what Harry needs from these professionals than you are.

I hope you get some answers soon, and then the help that Harry needs. Good Luck.

xxx

Posted: 14 September 2007 at 8:28pm | IP Logged

Hi hun,

I have had a son go though speach therapy, and i had a similar problem.

Half of the trouble is its he's trying to assert his own powers and authority, speak to your hv and see what she says.... also ask if there is a play therapist that does speach too as that will make it more fun.

If not suggest to the speach therapist that you'd like to keep coming but would like to take a 6mth break to a year before your next appointment, and ask for some exercises to do at home which should just make the appointments a check up sort of thing.

It might be worth a try.

Posted: 14 September 2007 at 8:35pm | IP Logged

Hi Rin

I'm sorry to hear your having such problems. Noah had one speech therapist who was useless, but fortunately for us she left and he got a new one who was much better. When he needed some more and was on a massive waiting list, I looked into private therapists, as I was really worried about him starting school. It is very expensive (typically £50 an hour!) and fortunately, I bugged so many people at our primary care trust, that he eventually got seen sooner on the NHS. However, I did got the information from this website:

http://www.helpwithtalking.com/

which lists private therapists, and I phoned a couple, and actualy got some really good advice, just from talking on the phone. If you find one in your area, it might be worth giving them a call, pretend that you're thinking of getting some private therapy and want to talk it through properly first, and just see what they can say. It may be that they can give you some ideas that you can try yourself at home. I often found with Noah that he would respond better to me doing the games with him at home than he had to the therapist.

What about the school? Can they help you at all? My own experience was that there was little to be gained from going to the sessions when Noah wasn't going to co-operate, as if they're stressed about it, they won't join in. It is a lot of money to go private, but if you get someone good, you may only need one session to get enough information to be able to do more yourself at home.

Failing that, have you been to your GP again? Is Harrison under any kind of a specialist for his adhd or anything? My experiences with the NHS have made me realise that the more people you badger, and the more you badger them, the more help you get.

Good luck Rin xxx

Posted: 15 September 2007 at 4:38am | IP Logged

Hi Rin,

Sorry you are having a hard time.

I know exactly how you feel,my 6 year old has a speech and language delay )although thanks to many sessions...he is now clear and coherent)

Like you I have been to many sessions, I really think they are necessary. I found that I had to always be my sons advocate and communicate the fact things needed stirred up. Have you discussed group sessions with the therapist? My son loved these as there were other children there to have a laugh with.

In the group sessions they would cut out stories and sequence them and then tell the story, or the therapist would read a book and then they would act it out.

I know how hard it is hun...and I know how it can get you down....I know I still feel why me and it is not fair. BUT it is us and you will cope because you are a fab lovin mother.

Please please please do not pull him out of therapy....My expereiece with the NHS is to never refuse anything as thy will turn it around on you. I know there is a community speech therapy liasing officer who determines wating list etc...try and talk to her about what is happening.

My advice to you is get on the phone and really start getting his name out. I was the communities worst nightmare as I would call constantly and ask for updates on the situation. Speak to your GP, speak to liaising officer, speak the the educational psychologist, speak to the teacher.

Take Care, I have been there so if you ever need any help...I am here