Question from a swim instructor for 5YO nonverbal global apraxic child

[Guest guest]

I've already answered (my answer to him below) but thought

this was a great topic for here too. Any suggestions to pass on to

which can also be tips for other parents looking into swim

lessons that I missed?

From: Lines

help@...

Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2006 4:06 PM

Subject: swimming lessons

Hi, I'm a swimming teacher and a friend of mine has a 5 year old

that has been diagnosed with global dyspraxia. He say's the child

cannot speak but is starting to communicate through sign language. I

had never heard of this condition and so decided to look it up on

the internet where I found you. I would like to like to try and fit

his child in with my swimming lessons and am wondering if there is

anything different that I need to take into account. The pool is 3

feet deep all over and there are 6 children to a class. I know all

children are different and will be affected differently but are

there any generalizations?

Best wishes

Rob Lines.

From: CHERAB [mailto:help@...]

Sent: 04 September 2006 18:34

Lines

Subject: Re: swimming lessons

Rob first of all this child is extremely fortunate to have you as an

instructor! Wow the fact you are taking the time to look into this

shows what an awesome teacher you are. You have raised an

important question that most do not. Due to that, would you mind if

I question our group so that I can also get input from others?

Outside of that I'd say that you would only need to be aware of some

of the basic signs the child knows such as " stop " or " help " or

even " potty " since that is this child's way to communicate.

Apraxia doesn't affect a child's receptive or cognitive ability so

unless this child has a duel diagnosis and his cognitive ability is

also affected he will appreciate if you speak to him just like you

do all the other children. My apraxic (which is the same as

dyspraxic) son Tanner did take swimming lessons when he was still

essentially nonverbal at 3 and 4 and he just loved it. It was a way

for him to be just like the rest of the boys without the need to

speak. Tanner also had global issues but more mild.

It's not unusual for children with apraxia today to have global

issues, but it is unusual today for them to still be essentially non

verbal at 5. I co authored The Late Talker and am curious if the

parents know of our group since we have a high success rate.

Hope that helps for now -and let me know if I can ask the group just

in case there are things I may have missed.

Best,