Non Verbal Ability - How To Assess

[Guest]

I have had a child (aged just 5) assessed by the speech therapist and found to have very delayed language. The SLT said I should assess his non verbal ability to see whether that was poor too. He recommended 'Lucid ability' which is far too hard. I could give up and refer to the paediatrician as I suspect this child had SLD / MLD. Any ideas?? Thanks

[Susan]

I think that sort of assessment is the remit of the professionals, where is your Ed. Pysch?

 

We cant get a referral for speech and language without a statement.

[Guest]

Are you in a school? We get 4 sessions per term paid for by the LA, and have just paid for some more as we had a lot of children who needed assessing. Basically we get assessments and then have advice on what to do with the children in school. (Children with speech production problems we refer to NHS clinics).

[Susan]

Yes, I am in a school. I have never been asked to assess this though. ED Psych involvement is extremely hard to get here too.

[JacquieL]

I also think that this kind of assessment is one for an Ed Psych or learning support service. Has this child started in reception with your school or have you any records from a previous setting?

You will have evidence of his levels of achievement against the EYFS, so will be able to demonstrate if he is well behind what you might expect in terms of development, and that should be enough for you put put him on Early Years Action, if you haven't already done this. Your assessments will probably show up his reasoning ability as well. If you suspect a child has 'special needs' you will need to go through the Early Years Action and Action Plus process before you can get any support, as everything has to be well documented to show that you have done everything you can. I would talk to your SENCO or better still your Area Early Years SENCO, for advice.

[HappyMaz]

We cant get a referral for speech and language without a statement.

Shocking. Just across the border parents can take their pre-school child to their local Children's Centre where the Speech and Language service have drop in advisory sessions and they can then arrange sessions for children who need them directly. It works well for us - what a shame it isn't available to children once they get to school.

 

Maz

[Upsy Daisy]

We cant get a referral for speech and language without a statement.

 

How does a child get an assessment for a statement then? or am I being stupid

[HappyMaz]

How does a child get an assessment for a statement then? or am I being stupid

No, not stupid - it does sound a bit like the chicken and egg debate, doesn't it?

 

Maz

[JacquieL]

Goodness Susan I've never heard of someone not being able to get a speech and language referral without a statement, or are you talking about to a unit, which would of course be the case here as well. Children with statements usually have other problems as well as S&L. We all know how long a process it can be to get a statement through if at all!

I have sometimes referred children for S & L assessments but I usually advise parents to go through their Dr, as that seems to work more quickly. They get a hearing test first. My experience is that once they have been assessed they wait some time before going for therapy, if they need it, but once that starts we are usually given guidelines for us to work with the child, as well as those the parent has.

[Guest]

Hi there

I work in a pre school SSC for children with speech and language difficulties, but am also INCO across the nursery school. We can refer children for SALT assessment as a Nursery. All children can have this referral made without a statement!!!!

 

Also, statemented children can have just speech and languge needs as that is what I have to get for my children if they require further specialist help when they go to school ie a nit. If they require SALT but do not have a statement, then they a re referred back to clinic.. Usually they have anextreme verbal dyspraxia. A few, very few have other needs as well.

 

To asess non verbal communication, look at how the child is communicating. Is he eager /wants to communicate with adults and peers? Does he use sign or gesture or other sounds or syllabic sounds in the correct context. Can he through pointing and use of visula aids name objects. Does he point? Does he understand simple two word instructions with clues and without? etc

 

 

Hope some of this helps.

[HappyMaz]

kate can you tell me what an SSC and an nit is please? I could hazard a guess but that might not be so helpful!

 

Maz

[Guest]

Oops. SSC = Special Suppore Centre

and I think that an it was meant to read specialist facility, in a strange way.......

[Susan]

I have a hearing impaired child in my class but he can not access SALT until he has a statement--at least that's what I understand that I have been told although a speech and language referral has been made. As he is largely non verbal and is difficult to understand when he does talk, it is very frustrating for him and us.

His hearing impairment is newly diagnosed, school nurse assessed his hearing as normal despite lack of verbal communication. He now has aids in both ears! Preschool experience or this little boy was zilch due to trauma at his first setting.

I have another child who also needs SALT and can not access it. He has other learning needs so will hopefully get his statement too, eventually.

[HappyMaz]

I have another child who also needs SALT and can not access it. He has other learning needs so will hopefully get his statement too, eventually.

Is the CAF up and running in your Local Authority Susan? I thougt this was meant to make life easier for families with children to access the services they need when they need intervention from more than one professional?

 

Maz