Hi, it's me in kiwi land!

[Guest guest]

's new speech therapist starts this week, have only contacted

her through answer phone she is from UK and sounds lovely. We will

see. Now I have been recommended to ask that she use the Gillon

Phonological Awareness Programme is this right? How do you assess

whether a child is severe or moderate? He is 7 in April and has a

great understanding but the verbal language is between a 2 - 3 year

level and that's being generous close people to him understand him 30-

40% of the time other people 10-20% of the time. It's just not a

huge thing here in New Zealand and the support group is mainly for

developmental dyspraxia which he is slightly but not to the extent of

some of the people in the group I have spoken with. I keep getting

told how lucky I am that he is " only " verbally dyspraxic with oral

dyspraxia and minor developmental dyspraxia!! I know I am luckier

than some but he will always have a problem speaking right? He will

talk but what I don't know what happens then he always will have

dyspraxia but people in the support group seem to think that he will

grow out of it this is not the case is it?

Sorry lots of questions I am getting as much knowledge as I can

before his IEP with new therapist I want ammunition!

Any one answer this can't say his own name and the old speech

therapist who has now finished has set his goal for the term of

getting to know all the names of the kids in his class alphabetically

and something about each of them! Is this realistic he says his

sisters name (e) and daddy the same (deedee) he can't say his

name so shouldn't this be the priority. I never get asked about the

goals but to me it seems a bit strange!! Any ideas?!

Thanks

See ya

Take care

Michele