Elsie Said:

Is there full recovery for children with apraxia?

We Answered:

"Speech-language pathologists use different approaches to treat apraxia of speech, and no single approach has been proven to be the most effective. Therapy is tailored to the individual and is designed to treat other speech or language problems that may occur together with apraxia. Each person responds differently to therapy, and some people will make more progress than others. People with apraxia of speech usually need frequent and intensive one-on-one therapy. Support and encouragement from family members and friends are also important.

In severe cases, people with acquired or developmental apraxia of speech may need to use other ways to express themselves. These might include formal or informal sign language, a language notebook with pictures or written words that the person can show to other people, or an electronic communication device such as a portable computer that writes and produces speech."
This information is from the website listed below. As a special ed teacher, I have seen children do remarkable things when they have the right support and the right attitude.
Since apraxia is a neurological issue, it may be better to think of learning to cope with it rather than recover from it - it is something that may always exist, but it can be dealt with.

Jessie Said:

Why is my daughter not talking?

We Answered:

I would truly lean towards apraxia. Have you visited the site below?

http://www.apraxia-kids.org/

If not, it is the best site on apraxia of speech in children, started by a Sharon Gretz who's now college aged son dealt with it, going from basically non-verbal to talking beautifully now. It also has a link to join their email group where you can get TONS of answers and help, even if she doesn't have apraxia, but the parents and experts on it have lots of answers to questions to help kids start, and keep, talking.
It is a great place to rejoice and vent, too.

Also, is your daughter using PECS? If not, visit http://www.do2learn.com/ to start using picture posters/communication books (4 x 6 photo albums will work nicely) so she can more easily share what she wants, needs, and feels, and you might look into buying Boardmaker

http://www.mayer-johnson.com/products/bo…

as it will allow you to make your own more easily, and has she isn't really talking, it would help her. You can also draw your own, or cut out pictures of foods, etc., from magazines or ads, or print them from photos you've taken. (Boardmaker will also let you add pictures to it's "supply", but it is spendy, around $300.00, which is why I waited on it, but was so glad when I finally had it for my son.)

As my son (now a teen) has high-functioning autism, I'd say while it might be possible she has it, too, I really don't think she does. My son is loving, etc., but from what you're describing, it doesn't really sound like it.

Also, with her hearing history, it will probably take her longer to get the hang of what she's hearing and control her mouth to repeat it.

So, I'd say to go ahead and meet with the neurologist, but I'd be stunned if the diagnosis is autism.

So, my suggestion is to please join the apraxia list and ask lots of questions there because everyone there wants to help--they all know what you're going through. We all know the pain of wanting our children to sing, to say, "I love you, Mommy and Daddy," etc. And we all know the joy of hearing any new sounds. :-)

Hang in there! I know the Lord will help you find the answers you need to help her!

Best wishes from one mom to another. :-)

Melvin Said:

Childhood Verbal Apraxia---Does anyone know much about this?

We Answered:

This website can be pretty helpful plus put you in contact with others dealing with the same situation.

http://www.apraxia-kids.org/

I have mixed feelings on the schooling issue...if you go with a regular preschool, be sure it is one that fully understands your particular situation and can provide proper training to the staff as well as making sure that the main "teacher" or whomever in charge will be fully aprised of your child's situation and will know best how to communicate with him/her. It is a tough situation to be the teacher of several kids at once, so PLEASE be sure to interview the person who will be working closely with your child to make sure he/she doens't get frustrated easily b/c your child doesn't communicate the way he/she expects. On the plus side, many regular preschools focus on sign language as one of the "fun" classes they do throughout the year, so your child might gain the ability to communicate through that easier during the day while you work on speech therapy outside of school.

If you choose a developmental preschool, you will have people who are probably already aware of the situation and know how to handle it, but they may focus so much on this that he may not experience a normal preschool situation but may spend a good part of his/her time with the adult(s) working with him in regards to his speech. Also, if he/she is surrounded by children with similar problems, its a positive and negative...he/she will feel normal and surrouned by like people, but what happens when s/he goes to kindergarten/elementary school and realizes that not everyone is like the people at the preschool?

Like I said, I have both positive and negative feelings for both, so it is really a matter of what you feel is right...and remember, you can try one and always decide to change...give it a trial period and see what happens and how your child likes it. Also, be sure to talk to your doctor because s/he can usually recommend schools, sometimes even other families who have gone through this situation to talk to and get advice from. Good luck.