Does Anyone Else Have a Child with Apraxia of Speech?

My son has gone to the Speech and Language Clinic at CMU in Mount Pleasant since he was about 2. He is now 10 and has shown major improvements over the years. I'm not sure where you are located but I'm sure there are other universitities that have specialty programs like CMU. They have been a godsend!!!

Hi T., my 3 1/2 year old twins have severely delayed speech. I know this is so frustrating, it has been very difficult on us. Although they are not diagnosed with apraxia, I though it would be helpful to share. Our boys started using sign language when they got into early intervention at 18 months, and signing was a godsend. They love the "Signing Time" videos too. Now they do produce words and some short sentences but can be very difficult to understand, sometimes it is like translating a foreign language. Anyway we are moving from Chicago and they will get speech at school, but we are also looking into some intensive programs, depending on what insurenace will cover. I took them to the Abilities Center (in Walled Lake, outside Detroit)and will probably get them services there. They have private and group speech and other services and seemed very supportive, you can check their website. Also I am eager to meet some other families with the same challenges.

I actually have a friend in the area dealing with this with her 3 year old. I could ask her if she's willing to email about this. I know it has been frustrating for her.

T., people from all over the country bring their apraxic children to see Nancy Kaufman at Kaufman Center in West Bloomfield. She even sells an apraxia kit.

Have you read any of the information about Omega 3's (fish oil) and speech/talking? I believe the book, "The Late Talker" contains that info. Be sure to check w/ your ped before starting any supps. I'm not not a doctor--am just a mom.

Hi T.- My son (almost 3 yrs) also has Apraxia of speech and is basically the same as your daughter. He has very limited words- he saids basically nothing on his own- you need to make him say it. He goes to the Kaufman center in West Bloomfield 2x per week- started in Sept. He is progressing a little- more words just not on his own. However- I do have a question on where your daughter goes to the speech therapy specialized preschool? I think this is a great idea for children w/ speech problems. Please let me know. Thanks

My son has severe phonological disorder and has been in individual speech therapy since he was 3 yrs old (he just turned 4). Anyways...we go to Beaumont Pediatric Speech and they are so wonderful! My son has seen the same speech pathologist this entire time and has really shown improvement. I am lucky b/c my ins covers it in full, so if you have ins check into what your coverage is. I live in Grand Blanc and make the hour long drive every week, but it is worth it.
Good luck..it is a long road and there have been many times that I get very discouraged but it just takes alot of work for a even the smallest improvement.

Hi T.,
My son was in speech from age two until this year at age 7 when he tested out. He had delayed speech. In his two, three and four year old classes we had the same little boy who we became good friends with. He has Apraxia.
He is the same age as my son 7 yrs. He speaks with a board.
He can make some sounds that his family understands.
He is sweet as can be and is just a dear. Like your daughter his comprehension of language is great he just can't produce the sound. I know this is not giving you the information you are searching for. But this little boy is
in main stream classes with the help of an aid and doing well.
I hope you find the answers you need.
I wish you all the best.
M.

I have a son who we think may be apraxic but it's so hard to know. He is also deaf (has cochlear implants) and has Down Syndrome so cognitively he's about 2 years old even though he just turned 6. He went to an amazing oral deaf school for several years and although his classmates could all produce sounds and talk, he could not. He has words and sounds that come and go. The only word that has consistantly stayed in his vocabulary is "more". We use sign language with him and he has a 60-80 word expressive vocabulary. I don't have any advice just know you are not alone in your frustration of the unknown...

Hi! Wow - this question hits right at home w/ me! My daughter just turned 2 and we've been struggling to figure out why she doesn't talk! We have been to 3 doctors now and each have said she is just stubborn, that we don't force her to talk, and that all kids develop differently and not to worry because there are no other delays. They have all said to just be patient and that speech therapy would do no good at this young of age.

Through this great website...I found out about the Early On program and called the ISD to get her evaluated...we've had that completed last spring and their conclusion is that she was not bad enough to warrant any services...they did mention the possibility of apraxia - but wouldn't even write the word down for me to look up!! our caseworker said it was too early to diagnose so not to worry...at least now i have the spelling and lots more to find out on the internet!!

currently she's had a big breakthrough...she now can say almost 15 words and is starting to try to talk a bit...we've been thrilled!! we've also taught her some signs, but have been hesitant because we've had differing opinions on whether it helps or not from doctors...but seriously - how can you survive w/o at least some communication??!!

sorry i have no advice for you...i wish you all the best...thanks so much for the question - i have learned tons!! am very interested in the other responses...good luck, A.

also - if anyone does have some helpful suggestions on how to get help for my daughter - we live in genesee county - any advice is welcome!! i know my insurance does not cover speech therapy so i'm afraid of what's ahead...

My son was also diagnosed with apraxia when he was about 2 years old - he couldn't say anything. Needless to say, there was lots of frustration on both sides! The thing that helped us the most - beyond the speech therapy - was using the sign language. For therapy, we did public speech therapy (one on one) through the school district. We also did private speech therapy - using our medical insurance. Because the diagnosis was actually a medical problem (apraxia is a neuroligical disorder), our insurance covered it -- check with your insurance. Even if your insurance doesn't cover it, I would still recommend finding another 'private' source. Depending on where you live, you can find some reasonably priced programs - specifically for the summer at local hospitals. I used North Oakland Medical Center
###-###-#### in Pontiac - since they are in an econmically depressed area, they had a really good summer program - x number of sessions for x total dollars.

One key thing from therapy that we learned is REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION! You can't say the words enough for them - and reward them when they are trying. You actually have it a little easier since she can already say some words (we had to deal with getting my son to learn to vocalize also!). Just keep working on it - and make sure that she is vocalizing every time she uses a sign - she may try to just use the sign language since it's easier for her - but force the issue until she makes a sound when asking for something using the sign.

Additionally, your speech school teachers ought to be able to give you some 'homework' / tips. One of the games we played a lot (at home) was the 'honey bee tree' - we were able to make the 'buzzing' noise everytime we shook a bee loose! If you are interested in this game, I still have it and would be happy to ship it to you - you pay the S&H. Or, you can still buy it at Toys R Us, it was around $20.

I know it's hard suffering through this - and not knowing if your child will learn to talk - been there, done that (we had euphoric days when he'd say a word - and MANY days we hit rock bottom and couldn't stop crying!). I can't say that your daughter will talk, but take heart - my son was discharged from speech when he was 4.5 years old and is now in Kindergarten and noone has any idea of his earlier trouble. Good luck, stay sane!