apraxia of speech

[olyclimber]

anyone familiar with it? know someone that has it?

[TREETOAD]

Is it the same as asphagia?

My dad had a massive stroke about 18 years ago. Among his inabilities is the power to convey his thoughts in any way. At first we thought that he would be able to write things down or communicate with a letter board but we soon found out that he knows what he wants to say but is unable to put the thoughts into any actions or words. It is a sad state.

[olyclimber]

similar but just speech...unable to talk, even though he obviously wants to and can conceptualize speaking....but is just unable to do it...then he gets pissed about it. subject is around 4-5 years old.

[iluka]

Is it the same as asphagia?

My dad had a massive stroke about 18 years ago. Among his inabilities is the power to convey his thoughts in any way. At first we thought that he would be able to write things down or communicate with a letter board but we soon found out that he knows what he wants to say but is unable to put the thoughts into any actions or words. It is a sad state.

 

The term is actually "aphasia." It refers to a loss of language function. There are two types: 1) Expressive -- the person knows what they want to say, understand what you are telling them but cannot get the words out; 2) Receptive -- the person doesn't even understand what is being said to them and just respond with fluent, but non-sensical speech.

 

Apraxia is an inability to perform learned motor tasks despite having the sensory and language skills/function to understand the commands.

[rmncwrtr]

My son was diagnosed with verbal apraxia at age 2. We did various treatments five days a week for the first couple of years, including OT (occupational therapy) and when he started kindergarten no one knew of his issues unless we told them. He recently turned 8 and still sees a speech therapist once a week.

 

Feel free to pm me with any questions!

[rmncwrtr]

Okay, I can type more now that my hands aren't hurting...

 

Wanted to add that the key is intervention from both the private and public sectors and lots of work at home with mom, dad and siblings, if there are any.

 

First off find a good speech therapist. It may be covered with insurance or at least a few visits.

 

If the child is only four, take advantage of early intervention programs the county offers. We were living in Lake Oswego at the time and went through Clackamas ESD. He received two days of services through them until age five.

 

If the child is 5 and entering kindergarten in the fall, call the elementary school he would attend to talk to them. They will test him, see if he qualifies and come up with a plan.

 

Also many universities have programs with students that are reasonably priced and/or free so check into the speech departments.

 

For us, it really was about putting together a team of people who could help him learn how to communicate.

 

Granted my son was really bad so we really had to use every single resource available. He had to learn how to say every single sound except one "bah". It was so frustrating for him to try and talk when he knew what he wanted to say but it all just came out bah bah bah bah. He's a sharp kid and would shut down. It totally broke my heart. It's been a long road, but worth every penny we spent to hear him now.

 

 

[olyclimber]

that is pretty much my nephew's case (as far as severity). however, the complication is that he lives up in a little village in Alaska (fully entrenched in mothers extended family (native) and his parents love of that part of the country and way of life). so getting good intense, personalized therapy is probably going to be an issue.

 

after visiting them, and subsequently trying to talk on the phone with him (which wasn't that successful) i bought then a webcam so we can do skype video. he LOVES it, it removes the communication barrier we had. but now i'm just wondering how i can help him up there.

[rmncwrtr]

Might be a long shot, but could you find a speech therapist who would work via the web?

 

And then could the family come down to wherever that person might be and do some intensive stuff both with your nephew and the parents so they could go back and do some stuff at home then support it with the web sessions. There are all kinds of exercises from using toothbrushes, m&m, popsicle sticks, little sponge thingies. Each case is different, but a lot of these kids have to work on strengthening muscles in and around mouth, as well as tongue. Those exercises work well at home as long as the person knows how to do it.

 

If there's any way you can make them understand how important it is to get help, and the sooner the better, please do. It is not something that can fix itself since every single sound and how to form them must be learned. And some of them are really hard and take time.

 

Good luck!

 

 

[olyclimber]

thats what i was thinking! via the web. also found this...

 

http://www.apraxia-kids.org/site/c.chKMI0PIIsE/b.4054981/k.DBB1/2008_National_Conference_on_Childhood_Apraxia_of_Speech.htm

[rmncwrtr]

GMTA

 

You know, finding a speech therapist who's on mommy track now might be something to look into. Plus I'm sure there are some regular practicing ones who have long-distance treatment experience. It just might take some googling and phone calls though.

 

And if it's any consolation to your brother and his wife, our son's prognosis was not good at all. But my hubby and I decided whatever it took to try and help him we would do. We went into debt. All these specialists add up very quickly even with insurance, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat because it worked. Granted, he still has a few little problems with a couple sounds and things, but you would never guess that he could not communicate or have an understandable conversation a few years ago. Now he's a typical eight year old who has the six Star Wars movies memorized and has no problem reciting dialogue. Right now we're working on slowing him down. He gets so excited he talks to fast.