little doggie wrote:
and can i know why it is better to go private for speech therapy and where do u recomend.
thks again:P
hi little doggie mummy,
how an EI programme is perceived as good or otherwise depends on parents' expectations & experience as well as child's diagnosis & needs.
VWO - voluntary welfare organisation
Most, if not all, special edn schools are run by not-for-profit VWOs.
Fr my experience, children with severe gross motor difficulties (<18 mth, pls refer to health booklet) will benefit from regular PT. OT at VWOs tend to focus on life-skills such as toileting, dressing, feeding, handwriting, etc. It generally does not address sensory integration dysfunction (SID). Children with SID may have difficulties in motor planning ie they have poor generalisation of skills eg can stand on one leg upon request but can't kick a ball. Parents may accompany children in some programmes.
ST at VWOs - it's very hard to address needs properly when there are a few hundred non-verbal children who need intensive therapy. Most special sch have 1 speech therapist. Parents usu do not sit in. Maybe 1-2x per term/semester.
NUH therapists are generally good but they may have difficulties with children who are not co-operative. If u r able to get regular slots, I would say stick with NUH unless u r very sure the VWOs can do a better job.
Pls note that once u enrol yr child in a special sch, it is likely that NUH will stop all therapy so that other kids get a chance at having therapy.
Pte speech therapy
- it depends on your child's current communicative profile, speech/language & cognitive development.
As pte speech therapy is costly, it is advisable to work on communicative intent & behv compliance first. This will reduce amt of wasted time & money. Some children will cry, run around or simply not cooperate/resist.
Most pte STs (not all) will spend some time assessing, then stimulate certain sounds. Some STs do very limited oral-motor exercises as they don't specialise in it. They are usu not good with children with poor motor control. Most will allow parents to sit in unless the child is distracted.
communicative intent - joint reference : express wants by pointing to objects, listening to parents
behv compliance - complying with 1 step instructions eg put bottle on table, wear shoes, give bottle
Hopefully this info is of use to other parents too.
I know of some children with GDD (not ASD or physical disability) but have benefited from dedicated childcare teachers. GOOD childcare teachers can train a child to be fairly independent. The kids perform better than peers from special sch. In one case, the single mum was totally uninvolved due to work, the teachers insisted therapy as they felt he can't cope with Pr 1 without help although he is only slightly delayed at 6 yr old. The boy was enrolled in the childcare from 18 mth.
I think u have to assess yr options to ensure maximum $ benefit :
a) EI + pte ST
b) daily home training + NUH (recommended if care-givers r organised, well-educated & not indulgent)
c) childcare + NUH (recommended if grandparents or parents do everything for child)
d) EI + childcare + pte ST (super KS option)
In theory, a child with GDD can achieve most 5-6yr milestones within 6-8 yrs with GOOD EI. Only the socio-emotional devm will be delayed.
Pls PM me if u want to discuss details of your child's conditions in private.
And may the FORCE be with us, parents of special needs children