Re: questions on how to get into therapy

[Guest guest]

Hi Bridget,

I would contact the EIP, and let them know your concerns, you have

nothing to lose at this point. Understand that in my experience,

professional are not always aware of apraxia, and I would bring it up

to them, and have all the facts about apraxia in front of you.

Maybe even going to your child's pediatrician, and taking the apraxia

information with you might help. He might be able to refer you to a

developmental pediatrician, or a pediatric neurologist. Ask for one

that is familiar with apraxia, as that will help you.

Remember the doctors and EIP are there to help you, so I would insist

on at least a referral. There is no stronger fight than a mother

fighting for her child, and let us know what happens next!

Hope this helps-

Liz

http://kidstalkback.tripod.com/kidstalkback/

>

> On a side note, the physical therapist and

> occupational therapist want to re-evaluate Kaeli at

> age 2 as well. PT said she was a little slow in

> reaching gross motor skills appropriate for her age

> (can't run and can't walk up and down stairs). The OT

> said she appeared to have some " tactile defensive

> issues " and is " hypersensitive to different textures

> coming in contact with her hands and feet " . Although

> I don't see any of that as a problem it sure does go

> along with apraxia. Kaeli also had reflux as a baby.

>

> I'm just tired of sitting around waiting and not

> getting my daughter the help I feel sure she needs.

>

> Thanks for any help and advice you can give me.

>

> Bridget

> Kaeli 22 mos

[Guest guest]

Ok, I feel better for now. I talked to the ST that

did the evaluation at 21 mos and we had a really good

and really long conversation. She said that even

though Kaeli is borderline, she probably wouldn't

qualify for therapy right now. I asked her if she

knew much about apraxia and whether or not Kaeli had

any of the characteristics. I really felt comfortable

with her answer. She said that she certainly couldn't

rule it out as a possibility, but she would need to

spend more time with Kaeli first and get to know her

and her speech patterns before making a diagnosis. I

was also happy to hear that although Kaeli has a lot

of the characteristics, she also has a lot of things

going for her that would not indicate apraxia. When

Kaeli says mamama, the ST said that it didn't sound

effortful and had lots of inflection in it. Also, she

said that even though Kaeli's consonants are limited,

it's a good sign that she can put them with different

vowels to make some different syllable sounds. (bu,

ba, buh) The therapist also told me that if it does

turn out that Kaeli has some apraxia, it's probably

not a very severe case and that waiting another month

and a half wouldn't do her any harm. She said that

many of the things I'm doing with Kaeli now are right

on target and just to continue that until our next

evaluation.

I think I feel better just knowing that she has

considered apraxia. Also, I think it helps a

tremendous amount just having some of my concerns

validated. It's really hard when all you hear day in

and day out is, " don't worry, she'll talk when she's

ready " . OR what I get sick of most of all is hearing,

" you probably anticipate her needs and she doesn't

have a reason to talk " . I'd like for them to spend a

day with Kaeli and deal with her frustration as she

tries to tell them what she wants. You can't be

anticipating when you can't even figure it out through

grunts, signs, gestures, and tears.

Sorry about yet another long post. I guess I'm just

so happy to have someone to talk to about all this.

Bridget

Kaeli 22 mos

[Guest guest]

Bridget:

All I want to say to you is that no matter what people

tell you, you need to listen to your heart when it

comes to your child. If you feel that she has issues,

you need to (and have) investigated them through the

medical community. The worst thing a parent can do is

be in denial or look the other way, when it comes to

problems with their child. Good for you and great for

Kaeli!

Martha- 4.9, GDD, weak hand muscles, sensory

integration, 16 mos.

> Ok, I feel better for now. I talked to the ST that

> did the evaluation at 21 mos and we had a really

> good

> and really long conversation. She said that even

> though Kaeli is borderline, she probably wouldn't

> qualify for therapy right now. I asked her if she

> knew much about apraxia and whether or not Kaeli had

> any of the characteristics. I really felt

> comfortable

> with her answer. She said that she certainly

> couldn't

> rule it out as a possibility, but she would need to

> spend more time with Kaeli first and get to know her

> and her speech patterns before making a diagnosis.

>

[Guest guest]

You are the one who knows your child most and so my advice is to go

with your feelings and if you feel the first evaluation was not

accurate, get another one. Sometimes it can be tough to go against

others says (wait and see, but I believe Mom's really do know best.

I would not lightly suggest to just " wait " because I believe early

intervention really does make a difference.

Best Wishes,

SLP-to-be