I have worked in Special Education (government service) in NZ for years and you might already be aware that there are criteria for service for school aged children.
“The Ministry of Education, Special Education employs speech-language therapists and support staff who can work with your child, their teachers and you if your child has high communication needs. Speech-language therapists are trained to support children who have difficulties with talking, listening and understanding language.”
“The main focus of the Communication Service is on children with high communication needs who are aged five to eight years.”
See the Special Education website for more info.
If you have a child with mild or moderate difficulties with talking, listening and understanding language, you are not able to access the free service. Your child may have been closed or discharged from the service. It doesn’t mean however, that your child doesn’t have needs. It just means that to help them on their communication and learning journey, you’ll need to pay for extra help.
It’s the same if you have a child over 8 years old with mild, moderate or severe difficulties with talking, listening and understanding language … you are not able to access the free service. There is a limit on government money and I understand that there have to be caps on spending. Your child may still need a bit of extra help. It means that to help them on their communication and learning journey, you’ll need to pay for extra help.
I’ve paid for help for my daughter to have specialist help at various times: counseling, swimming lessons, writing tuition, art classes, private Ear Nose Throat surgery (grommets) and I have been happy with the progress each time. I encourage you to try Speech-Language Therapy – see what improvements your child can make! If you live in Hamilton, get in touch and we’ll see how I might be able to help your family.