Re: Hi, I'm new...in need of encouraging words!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was wondering what you meant when you said started regressing. The

reason I ask is my daughter was also a preemie (34 weeks) and her language

regressed at 18 mos.

[ ] Hi, I'm new...in need of encouraging words!!!

Hi everyone,

I was so pleased to find a group out there for children's apraxia!

Let me give you a little background:

Our son was born 3 1/2 months early due to my severe preeclampsia

luckily had a brilliant NICU recovery. No major problems...or so we

thought when we came home...all of the head ultrasounds were clear

and everything looked fine. At about 8 months we noticed that

was regressing and scheduled him for an MRI, before our appointment

came he had his first seizure.

[Guest guest]

:

Welcome! My son, , is a former 24 weeker. He was 'tracked' by

many, but apraxia wasn't identified until he was more than 2. He is

now 3.5 years and making great progress.

I know we shouldn't 'compare' kids, but at 2.5 (actual) was

uncooperative with therapists, resistant to all leads/suggestions,

non-verbal, and had his share of " quirks " . He always had to hold

something in his hand (usually small), he would fixate on an activity

or toy and would not be redirected. He did not want to be touched

(especially around the face/mouth) by non-family and barely

tollerated this from me. He could not drink from a cup, was weak

with a straw, couldn't blow bubbles, and had gross and fine motor

issues. As an infant, he progressed normally (for a micropreemie).

Since getting the diagnosis of apraxia (oral and verbal), we found

many of the his issues are related. He has mild sensory integration

issues.

Today, he talks up a storm -- though is understandable only to those

who work with him. He chugs water from a cup (no drips!), blows

bubbles like a champ and is generally willing to try anything asked

of him. We have periods of difficulty, but have made great strides

in the past year.

never " took " to PECS. These were tried in his preschool

program. However, at 2+ he picked up basic sign language quickly and

that got us over a big bump. He has since dropped all signs but a

couple.

Our BIG breakthrough came with music. He responded to the songs

being sung in his group therapy, and the hand signs that went with

them.

In my opinion, the most important thing we did was find therapists

who understood and had experience with apraxia. Our Early

Intervention services were provided by Summit Speech School -- they

had an integrated approach, as all his therapists were provided by

the school (speech, oral motor, occupational therapy and physical

therapy). This meant that the therapists knew each other and

communicated with each other.

We still have a long way to go. He can't say long words, still has

problems with many sounds (no /k/, /f/, /s/, long vowels). He has a

problem with stringing more than 3 words or about 9 sounds together.

Good luck, and don't get discouraged!

Margaret...'s Mom