Assessments · Monday February 12, 2007 by Rose
Today we took SJ for his initial speech/language assessment.
Since moving area last year, we had tried to go for a formal diagnosis process – not because I particularly need/want a label for my son, but simply so that I can have more understand and direciton in trying to understand the best way to help him get on with his life.
Part of this was today’s assessment.
It wasn’t quite as distressing as his assessment by the child psychologist a few months ago, but I still found it upsetting to see and hear him struggling to communicate.
He first had to show how he could follow instructions; then do some listening to a story and answering questions; then hold a conversation; and finally talk about some pictures.
The SALT said that, becuase SJ is so bright, he has found ways of coping with his language difficulties that mean at a surface, official level, he is “not needy enough” (or in her words, doesn’t meet their criteria) for help.
However, apparently if I wanted him back in school she could have written us a “strongly worded report” to get him help..
So, help in school. No help at home. Despite her saying that some of his language difficulties wouldn’t be helped by being “isolated” in a home education situation…
She did come to see though the sort of problems he had; when we asked him the meaning of some of the words in the story she had read, he didn’t know what any of them meant. Despite having been able to answer her questions about the story.
She said he has complex language difficulties and she has agreed to see him in 3 moths, plus she is recommending us onto some pilot scheme they are trying later in the year.
The SALT did agree that what we are doing with him at home is obviously working, and noted that he had the confidence to ask US what words meant, but he told her he didn’t like to ask strangers or other adults in case they laughed at him..
I’m going to have a think now on some of her ideas of helping him with conversations; when they “chatted” she soon saw that he was unaware that he should be asking her things (in other words that a conversation is two way) and it was all about him!
All in all, it reinforced my conviction that home education is the only option for him, and that our focus on life skills, conversation skills, and just building his self esteem is the best thing that we could be doing.
Needless to say, SJ came straight home and onto lego star wars – I figure it was best to allow him to let off steam that way!
This afternoon we have a science workshop to go to, and I am hoping to meet with several families new to our HE group.
So you might even get two posts in one day!
