What is a SALT meant to do?

[BaggieBetty]

My son was 3 in July and has a speech delay. we've seen the SALT three times but all she seems to do is assess him every time by playing games. The trouble is that DS always gets distracted by the toys in her room and does less than I know he can. Also her advice is the same every time (" Talk to him a lot" - oh really?) He hasn't had any sort of hearing test or physical check up and no 'therapy'. Should he have? Thanks

[GrimAdventuresOfJane]

Hi there
Not too sure on this one but I think a SALT will do alot of assessing at this age as its not really really concerning yet! Also she may be trying to build a rapport with you DS to be able to get him to trust her?
But tell her your issues!?
Also try looking here
& here
for more info
Hope this helps!!

[QueenEvil]

BB - SALT's use play as a means of helping the children to feel relaxed with them and also to assess them. When kids are distracted with the games they tend to speak more freely and thus the SALT can hear any speech patterns and sounds that may be of concern to her.

[BaggieBetty]

Ok thank you!She seems a nice lady just didn't know if I should be more pushy! Poor woman!

[GrimAdventuresOfJane]

Dont worry its not about being pushy
You have a right to ask what she is doing and why, she won't mind you asking her! Especially if it gives you reassurance11

[moondog]

Ask away by all means!
I like it when people do to me,and I'm a salt.
Play is the most important indicator of child's language status at this age.
Also really hard to get such a young child to cooperate with standardised assessments.

By playing with him and watching him play,she can compile a more accurate profile of him than she ever could by a formal question/answere box ticking scenario.