naomis appt with the speech group..grrrr...

**naomis mum** · 12-05-2008 17:01

we went to the group information morning this morning....i walked in optimistic that the 12months i have waited were about to be addressed and it was all going to be worthwhile.:angry7:

So they went on to discuss what "range" kids should be in at different ages for speech and communication and then they asked us to introduce our children and our problems (the kids were in another room; we were just talking about them).

Anyhoo...I said that my daughter is Naomi, she is 26mths and she says only about 3 words consistently, mumma, dadda and car...that is about it. She has what we think is dyspraxia and she has problems chewing also, we really need help for her expressive language as she finds it very hard to make the right mouth movements for speech and expression and she is getting more and more frustrated and so are we....the speech therapists mouths almost dropped to the floor and they asked me where i got the term "dyspraxia" and that they dont like to "label" kids before they really get an overveiw of what they are dealing with...OKAY...so i told them that a speech therapist whom i had talked to mentioned this is what we may be dealing with and that she seems to fit all the criteria and symptoms of this disorder.

So I felt like they didnt believe me from the start..
The other "issue" that i encountered is that about half of the room was from a non-english speaking background and therefore their kids had problems with language as they were using two languages in the home, intertwining them in grammar and sentences...:angry7: this may sound harsh, but all i could think of was SOME PEOPLE HAVE REAL PROBLEMS and you have made me wait on a 12mth list because these people are probably taking priority!!! i was so frustrated and mad...i know it sounds harsh and it probably is, but i was just over it.

Anyway, they went on to discribe the group will be about play and that they will suggest ways in which to stimulate language etc through play...this is great but we do this **** at home every day. i need ONE ON ONE speech therapy..and as far as i am aware this is not a service that will even be offered on completion of the six week group.

So, needless to say i went away feeling very disheartened and very sorry for my poor little girl who is having such a hard time being heard. Then i come home and get the story from my mother in law about how "her friends grandson didnt talk until three and when he did he came out with sentences" which i could slap her for saying as my own mother said yesterday to my aunty ( i overheard her) "everyone else talks for her so why would she talk" which is so not true. WHY do others not get it?

we see it plain as day that Naomi has a real issue and people just dont understand. Anyway we see the speechy tomorrow for a screening at which i intend to express all my concerns for my daughter and what plan there is after this group as we need more than that. Lets hope she listens and understands. If not, i will be going for private therapy which i think we will need anyway....thanks for listening to my rant.....

**Loopy Linda** · 12-05-2008 17:25

hugs for you, it would have been a frustrating day. without offence to non english speakers their problem is with understanding not ability like your daughter, i would have been mad!

with the screening tomorrow maybe that will help you and they could offer you one on one while you also attend the group thing? i hope so, good luck

also who was this with?

**LivinOnAPrayer** · 12-05-2008 17:28

!!!!! Its just not fair!!! It makes me so mad. I dont think anything i can say will make you feel more calm, and i think you have absolutly every right to feel angry. Naomi is indeed in need of some one on one, i cant believe they havent addressed it yet. Poor little mite, it must get so frustrating not being able to communicate.

My DD Alex has had a recent dx of dyspraxia and i know how hard it is on not just the child, but you as a mum too.

pm me if you want to talk.

**naomis mum** · 12-05-2008 17:37

yes...i definately dont want to offend those with non english speaking backgrounds...that is not my intention and upon reading my post again i thought i must clarify. Naomi has a speech disorder and she understands perfectly well language, she just cant express it...i hope i havent offended anyone, i am just so frustrated at this horrible waiting game....thanks for your support guys, it means alot....

**2sweetgirls** · 12-05-2008 17:44

Sorry to hear that they wasted your time.

Are you lost as to what to do now.. or do you have a plan B?

I am really sorry that these people are so damn useless!

**naomis mum** · 12-05-2008 17:55

hi court.

well tomorrow we go back for the screening and i will be asking all the questions relating to what we need and want and if they cant provide us with the one on one therapy then we will be seeking private therapy on top of this group...if we should even go at all....

so my plan B is private therapy which i already have a primary care plan for, just was waiting to see what the public system can offer us and seeing as though they can offer us **** all, i dont know why i dont even pay my taxes for my family to be given the run around like this..i really dont.

**naiwen** · 12-05-2008 18:00

hey there Naomis mum,

I am sorry it was like this for you, speech therapy seems to be very underfunded in the public system from what I can tell. I really hope the screening goes better.

All you want to do is help your child and they wont help, I know that feeling and it's awfull. Lots of hugs and sympathy here.

If you ever want to whinge! or just chat to understanding mums you are always welcome in our SN chat thread.

**naomis mum** · 12-05-2008 19:21

thank you so much. i think i will be a frequent flyer in this chat group,

at least i have people here who understand what i am going through. x

**LivinOnAPrayer** · 12-05-2008 19:26

thank you so much. i think i will be a frequent flyer in this chat group,

at least i have people here who understand what i am going through. x

We sure do!!

**kiwibird27** · 13-05-2008 07:59

Can I strongly recommend, DON"T mention u will access private speech too, they will not see u as a priority, they are very fickle about using 2 services and will give u priority if u say u need them to lead. They need to assess u fully before deciding if you need one on one or group therapy. Different children develop better in different situations, Most kids don't need one on one and actually do better in a group situation. The therapy is about teaching the parent what to do anyway, and doing it at home.

You need to see a developmental paed who can actually diagnose dyspraxia, then armed with your piece of paper u will get a better response.

I access a wonderful speech service out at Liverpool through the hospital. They do a brillant job and I know will help me get my child to eat. Private speech ranges from $90 to $150 a session, we couldn't afford that every 2 weeks for the next 10 years so are glad we have found good speech.

Good luck!!!