Re: Social skills for an almost non-verbal child

[Guest guest]

My youngest is 5yrs 8 mos. He has Apraxia and Dysarthria too. Until he could

speak better he was very similar to your child with regards to social skills.

He has 3 older siblings who play with him. He shows better skills with them

versus children he does not know. Children who have just met him who are his

age simply do not have the skills or patience to really listen and try to

understand him.

>

> Dear All,

>

> I am seeking your advice again. My 5-year old daughter has severe

> verbal apraxia and mid to severe dysarthria. Until November of last

> year, she was almost non-verbal with minimal sounds. Then in late

> November, she started to prononuce and able to imitate some words.

> She now has about 150 spoken vocabulary, though alot of them are

> just approximations, or needs alot of cueing, prompting to make them

> intelligible.

>

> The teachers at her typical preschool and special education both

> commented she has social skils issues. Namely she enjoys to be by

> self at the book corner, or observe the kids play, will not initiate

> play, will stay only for a short time when invited to play.. etc. I

> believe that her lack of communication is the primary reason here,

> but I also know that some kids love to social, irregardless of their

> speech capability.

>

> I have checked around several places for a social skills class, but

> were told me that my daughter should have individual therapy now

> until she can communicate to participate in any social skills

> programs. I am frustrated for not being able to help my daughter,

> and would like to hear if anyone here share the same experience and

> how you handle it. Many thanks.

>

> Amelia

> (Mom to )

>

[Guest guest]

Although I don't have answers to your questions Amelia, I would be

interested in all of you parent's comments about a child with apraxia

who still doesn't really play with toys at age four and a half.

She is really trying to talk now and is the love of my life (I am her

Grandmother!!) - but there is a big void there that I see. I taught

public-school kindergarten for 15 years and have a working knowledge of

the developmetal issues, but am wondering is this non-interest

indicative of something else.

Thanks,

Pam in GA.

ayhong01 wrote:

>

> Dear All,

>

> I am seeking your advice again. My 5-year old daughter has severe

> verbal apraxia and mid to severe dysarthria. Until November of last

> year, she was almost non-verbal with minimal sounds. Then in late

> November, she started to prononuce and able to imitate some words.

> She now has about 150 spoken vocabulary, though alot of them are

> just approximations, or needs alot of cueing, prompting to make them

> int

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pam are you saying she has no interest in playing with any toys at

all? There are so many types of games and toys including balls,

playdoh, dolls, and games of hide and seek, chase etc.

What does she enjoy doing? Are there any activities she enjoys? What

about going to the park, the zoo, the playground? What happens if you

try to play with her? Does she have any brothers, sisters, or any

other children that attempt to play with her that are around?

Here's some basic videos on play skills:

Teach to play 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-aHvmXOa6c & feature=channel

Teach to play 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmqLuuwDwNs & feature=channel

Teach to play 3

I highly recommend the book The New Language of Toys. I know it's

been remade a few times -here's a link to the one I have

http://www.amazon.com/New-Language-Toys-Teaching-Communication/dp/0933149735

Here's a link to the one that is the most recent

http://www.amazon.com/New-Language-Toys-Teaching-Communication/dp/1890627488/ref\

=pd_sim_b_2

Is the issue more imagination? If so for many in this group that is

an aspect of play that it appears takes a back step and comes in a bit

later in this group- but not a concern for the majority.

Let me know!

=====

[Guest guest]

Maybe the child has been working very hard on learning to talk (because

most child with apraxa " know " they are not being understood).

That is a very difficult skill to master for a child and that many

words by that age is great!

Just a thought, but children with apraxia have diffculty in

coordinating motor movements, perhaps this is the one thing the child

has been working on coordinating.

Other than that, yes, there could be something else. Autism?

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam!

That's OK -let us know when you have a chance. You don't mention

autism or any social skill problems -but think that's where the

confusion is coming in because you posted your question under a topic

for " social skills " so of course ABA therapy came up as a

suggestion. But are there social skill issues for your grandchild?

If your grandchild is not autistic -you have to be extremely careful

with any type of ABA therapy for a child with severe apraxia. If

apraxic and autistic a modified ABA is typically appropriate as long

as the therapist is aware and knowledgeable about apraxia.

ABA is not appropriate to address issues that arise from the motor

planning deficits, and using ABA to address issues due to apraxia

are known to be detrimental. Pam you mention severe apraxia...is it

global? Meaning does it affect your grandchild's ability to play due

to motor planning deficits in the body?

=====

[Guest guest]

Hi my son is 8 and he has severe apraxia he also use to not play with

other children the more I had other children around the more he wanted

to interact he tries so hard to communicate with other kids its almost sad

cause you can see he wants to be like them.

>

> Dear All,

>

> I am seeking your advice again. My 5-year old daughter has severe

> verbal apraxia and mid to severe dysarthria. Until November of last

> year, she was almost non-verbal with minimal sounds. Then in late

> November, she started to prononuce and able to imitate some words.

> She now has about 150 spoken vocabulary, though alot of them are

> just approximations, or needs alot of cueing, prompting to make them

> intelligible.

>

> The teachers at her typical preschool and special education both

> commented she has social skils issues. Namely she enjoys to be by

> self at the book corner, or observe the kids play, will not initiate

> play, will stay only for a short time when invited to play.. etc. I

> believe that her lack of communication is the primary reason here,

> but I also know that some kids love to social, irregardless of their

> speech capability.

>

> I have checked around several places for a social skills class, but

> were told me that my daughter should have individual therapy now

> until she can communicate to participate in any social skills

> programs. I am frustrated for not being able to help my daughter,

> and would like to hear if anyone here share the same experience and

> how you handle it. Many thanks.

>

> Amelia

> (Mom to )

>

[Guest guest]

I have the same problem my son is 9 and  is severe apraxia he  loves to be with 

other children he loves to play but just can't  get the words out like they can

and he tries so hard but its unfair how  hard they try and no one see's that

they just try to peg them for not being social  I wish schools would come up

with programs to help them  with this

[Guest guest]

Dear Amelia:

Have you tried Oxytocin Nasal Spray... it helps with the social and eye

contact!!! We love it!!!

Love, Gabby. :0)

http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

 

" I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had

some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin. " ~ Jerry Newport

 

 

[Guest guest]

 they do it is called the speach class and yes that goes with and iep that is so

he can get the help he needs.