Health visitor refusing to refer to speech and language therapy

My toddler is 2 years old and barely speaks any sentences. He’s very repetitive with some behaviours. He has good eye contact and can follow some instructions. I’ve asked the health visitor to refer him to speech and language therapy to get him the support he needs however she’s just so hesitant and has said she’ll call back in two weeks to follow up. It’s been well over 2 weeks and I’m just gutted she’s dismissed me in that way. Has anyone else had the same experience?

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My little one was referred from 18 months to 3 years still nonverbal was declined on many time even by peds wasn’t untill he got he’s ehcp they accepted him and even then it been one appointment and sent us home to sing song a pause to give him a chance (like we haven’t tired) seems in my area to be very unfunded and not useful in our situation he’s 3 and still has no spoken communication but can do the abc and count to 8 on his terms 🫣

I am so sorry. I asked for a referral to speech therapy when my son was 12 months adjusted and got it right away. I’m not sure of your area but have you reached out to an early intervention program? Sometimes they will evaluate children without referrals if a parent or guardian reports them as delayed. I know most times the evaluation is free. Depending on your income the therapy might be, or they can bill insurance.

I got told they won’t refer until 30 months in my area. Sooo frustrating as the earlier the better to get them going. My boy is nearly 27 months and says nothing at all ☹️

My son will be 4 in June, non verbal an never spoke a word in his life an I have gone through every angle to get him referred to speech and language and no one will refer him or help, it’s so frustrating 😣

@Nadine does your child make sounds/babble?

@Christina Yh he makes a lot of sounds just no words

Tbh there useless either way! My 3 year old still doesn’t speak. They won’t help me I think in total since she was just over 1 I have done about 8 zoom call courses they get you to do. No one will see her face to face all the ‘advice sheets’ they send is what I’m doing. In the end last summer I paid private for her until unfortunately I couldn’t afford £120 for 45 minutes.

£120 for 45 mins? That’s a lot! It’s a shame because they would rather refer later than earlier in most cases and these kind of issues require early intervention!

It is, and I feel awful that I can’t pay it anymore for her it’s sad. But also shouldn’t be so much money. It is a shame it should be early rather than later, I’ve not got anywhere I’ve taken all the courses they have offered me and they still won’t help or do face to face x

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