Community› The Bump Message Boards› Special Needs
Special Needs
New Discussion

Another DX: apraxia of speech

CaptainSeriousCaptainSerious member
in Special Needs

We had J evaluated privately today for his speech issues, because we thought it would be a good idea to supplement private sessions to the twice weekly 15-minute sessions he's getting in school, especially throughout the summer.  The SLP told me that she believes he has apraxia of speech.

After talking to her, and doing some research online, it seems to make so much sense.  He can create sounds, but not use them consistently when he's saying words.  She's going to prepare her report in time for our IEP/eligibility meeting later this month, so if the school's evaluation continues to focus on articulation, we can use it to ask for individual, [/i] more appropriate therapy.

I'm glad to know that this is his problem, as it appears that we'll be able to address it more directly/appropriately, but I'm also a little concerned that this might be a more long-lasting/lifelong problem. I know that therapy results are different for everyone and vary so much depending on the therapist and child, but can anyone give me an idea of the outcomes/improvement your child experienced once apraxia-appropriate therapy was incorporated? 

Report Reply to Post

Re: Another DX: apraxia of speech

  • smiling76smiling76 member

    DS1 has apraxia of speech that was actually diagnosed once he got in to the public school after he aged out of early intervention.  He had been getting speech therapy and with tons of issues (he would get very aggressive with her) and only until he saw a SLP at the school for just a few weeks did they see that he had more than just a language delay. 

    He's been in the program for 2 yrs now and will now be in special education kindergarten due to it--and possibly repeating traditional kindy. 

    He went from speaking about 12 words just 2 yrs ago (age 3) to being able to almost have a small conversation.  He asks tons of questions and is just a delight.  I will say though--there is a lot of aggravation with him when he can't get the word out that he knows he wants to say.  I feel so bad for him!!!

    So that's my experience--good luck!


    My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com

    image

    image


    [img]
    [url=    http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
    image




    Notes:
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • unm00redunm00red member

    My LO is younger than yours but he has a diagnosis of verbal apraxia.  Just in case you haven't found it yet, this is an excellent resource on apraxia:

    https://www.apraxia-kids.org/guides/family-start-guide/

    I would encourage you to read everything you can get your hands on in terms what types of speech therapy are appropriate for apraxia and research studies on various treatment approaches vs. outcomes.

    Very high-level, the kids with apraxia who've done the best with therapy tend to receive multiple sessions a week (aim for 4)  of shorter duration (~30 minutes).  And you want it to be therapy by SLP's with a background in apraxia.

    One blog I really like on apraxia is:

    https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/

    It's written by a SLP who is the mother of a child with apraxia.  It's got a lot of great ideas/information on it.  (I have no connection to her.)

    Hope that helps.

     

     

     

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • CaptainSeriousCaptainSerious member
    Thanks, everyone. J is 6 and in half-day kindergarten with a wrap-around program. He's only been exposed to English and in the US for a year, since we adopted him. He, too, was not having any success with his regular speech therapy, which he was already receiving in Peru. He did't speak until he was 3, and still doesn't speak in real sentences, but luckily, he is still a chatterbox.
    Report Reply
  • ridesbuttonsridesbuttons member

    DS2 (now 4.5) was diagnosed with apraxia of speech and while he was over 3 years old before he truly started talking, he speaks well now.  Some articulation issues that we are monitoring closely but to an untrained ear, no different than your average kindergartener.

    He attended weekly private speech therapy from the age of 18 months to 3.5 years.  We worked with him all of the time in between visits.  It well paid off.

     Funny thing though.  Last night I was reading a story to the kids and asking them about the pictures in the book.  I asked them in the 'mom' in the book was happy.  They both said "no, she's mad".  I asked them how they could tell.  They said "by her face".  I then asked the boys to show me a mad face, a frown.

    My 6 year old made a mad face, a frown.  My 4.5 year old had real trouble with making his frown.  I found this both interesting and a little concerning.  Will bring it up with his SLP at our next check in.

    promised myself I'd retire when I turned gold, and yet here I am
    Report Reply
  • CaptainSeriousCaptainSerious member
    Thanks for sharing your stories. It helps to get a sense of what may be in our future
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"