Robin Said:

Anyone have a child with apraxia? Any success stories?

We Answered:

my son was a little older than your son when he was diagnosed. he has been in speech for about 3 months and has had tons of progress. One thing that can help is mouth excersizes. My son just started doing some, and I have heard they really help. get fundip candy, or some other powdered candy, and put in on his lips for him to try to lick off. My son has trouble moving his tongue from side to side, and licking his top lip, so that is where we put it.

if you want more tips e-mail me at sarahsavon2003@yahoo.com

Denise Said:

Question about I.E.P?

We Answered:

Each state has some leeway in how they interpret the federal regulations, but it seems to me that your son is *very* underserviced. Your doctor cannot automatically trump the school, but his/her recommendations should be considered at the meeting. -A written justification of 3-6 paragraphs or more will carry more weight than a scribbled recommendation on office letterhead. Detailed reports from the other therapists are a must as well. You have to build the case for justifying services. Your doctor is dead on about the school's refusal to provide services over the summer. If a kid needs it, services don't stop just because of summer vacation. The law is quite plain about this. Here in New York you'd have to prove that there would be substantial regression without therapy. If all else fails, threaten legal action--that usually causes schools to have an immediate attitude adjustment. It seems foolish on their part: In practical terms, their not addressing this issue now will cost a lot more in the future, whether ist be in increased services or legal expenses. I'm a firm believer in early intervention.

Vivian Said:

What could cause a severe speech delay in a 33 month old boy?

We Answered:

Hi

It sounds like your little boy has some developmental delay alongside a significant language delay - where his language skills are delayed more than his other (cognitive) skills. So the language delay could be part of his general developmental delay, or it could be something additional.

If it is something additional I would be considering several diagnoses: dyspraxia (or apraxia as it is sometimes called) is a possibility. Generally articulatory dyspraxia is not diagnosed until a child is 7 - this is because the oral praxis is still developing and there are a large number of pre-school children who present with the same difficulties and will improve. At this point, it would be referred to as 'immature articulatory praxis (IAP). With this diagnosis, i would be expecting to see a child whose comprehension of language is average but their expression (ie their talking) is delayed. Several things would be of note, namely 'groping' (moving lips and tongue around in an attempt to make sounds), possibly drooling or weak muscle control and inconsistent artics (so a child would say 'car' one time and 'dar' the next time and 'tee' the next time, but would be meaning to say 'car' each time.

Of course your son has some general developmental delay as well, so his understanding of language might be impaired because of this.

I would say that the most likely thing at the moment is that he has a global developmental delay which is more marked in communication. This may be his diagnosis - you may not get more information than this, at this point.

In terms of helping him, I'm sorry that you don't get speech and language therapy in your area. I am in the UK and would happily help you, but I'm guessing you are possibly in the U.S. Just leave me a message if you want me to help you at all with the Speech and Language side.

The Hanen programme would be a really great option for you to attend - this originated in Canada but perhapos you could google it and see what you think.

I hope you get some answers for your little boy and contact me if I can help at all

Guy Said:

Can someone explain Apraxia to me?

We Answered:

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that.

Apraxia of speech or verbal apraxia is a speech disorder. Person suffering from this has a difficulty of saying what he/she wants to say.

But that can still be treated with speech therapy. just continue your speech sessions. I have a friend and her son also went speech therapy at age 4. Now he's a fine.

Ethel Said:

Anyone have a child with apraxia?

We Answered:

My cousin had apraxia and was diagnosed around Age 3 or 4. Every one thought he had autism. He had several years of speech therapy and he is now 8 years old, goes to a normal school, is in normal classes, and talks normal. He sometimes slurs his words but I think that's due to him being lazy about speaking or too excited to calm down and say them properly. Good luck!