New here, still learning about Apraxia, have so many questions!!

[Guest guest]

Hi there, My name is Jillian. I have two children. Jake is 4.5 and

Emmy is 23 months. Emmy has never said any words. She did babble

some as a small baby, but not much. She had severe reflux that was

finally gotten under control with meds when she was 6 months old.

She has finally been able to come off the meds in the last 6 months.

She has always been a very heavy drooler. She started drooling at

about 5-6 weeks old. Too young for teething. She still drools now,

heavier at some times, lighter at other times. At her 12 month

visit with her Ped, I asked why she wasn't taking. I was told to

wait and see, she would. Same thing at her 15 month visit, even

though I expressed my concernes that she wasn't making any real

sounds. At her 18 month, I was to the same thing again...wait until

her 24 month visit, she will be talking then for sure. I refused. I

just knew something was very wrong. I insisted she, the Ped, do

more. She gave me the number to Early Intervention. I called and a

wonderful SLP called Peggy has been seeing Emmy for 1 hour a week

since June. Emmy is really trying, but still says no words. It

took me almost 3 months to get her to repeat " Ma " for mama. As soon

as she said that, she forgot everything else she had been working

on. It has been ths way all along. As soon as I get her to say a

new sound, she stops making any sounds for 2-3 weeks and then has to

start all over. Peggy has said from the begining that she beleives

that Emmy has Apraxia, but she would have to watch her for awhile to

make that diagnoses. At this time she feels fairly certain that this

is Apraxia. I asked for more time. She has asked the Early

Intervention to change Emmy to 3 30 minute sessions per week instead

of 1 1 hour session. That will start tomorrow. I have done some

reading on here and all over the web...I have started her on ProEFA,

she hated the taste of the liquid, so I bought fish oil pills of

similar contents at kroger to see if she would take them. She will

swallow the pill about 75% of the time.

How do I get her to take the fish oil???

I was at the Ped for my son last week, while I was there she asked

how Emmy was doing with speech therapy. I told her. She said that

she wanted to refer Emmy to the Weiskopf Center in Louisville, KY.

She said it will take a few months to get the appt and to expect to

get there early in the morning and be there all day.

Please, someone tell me what to expect. I have gone to the website,

but still have no answers. What will they do to her there? What

kind of tests?? How long to get results?? What will happen next for

my Emmy?

I hate this. I hate seeing my baby girl try so hard to get words out

with no luck. She was tested before speech therapy on her expressive

and receptive skills. At 18 months her expressive skills were at the

7 month range. Her receptive skills were at the 36 month range. She

is so smart. Way ahead on understanding. I understand that this is

normal with a child with Apraxia. Will the expressive ever catch

up?? What else can I be doing to help her?? I'm will to do

anything. The SLP, Peggy, said that until shemet Emmy she didn't

think that you could be sure a child had Apraxia until they were 4 or

5, but with Emmy she has litle doubt.

Any advise would be great right now. Thank you for taking to time

to read this.

Jillian

[Guest guest]

Jillian, I feel your pain. My son is 19 months old and very similar to

your Emmy. We have had CHeesy (it's what we call him) on Barlean's

kids dha omega 3's for 2 weeks now and he has improved a lot in his

transitioning issues..we believe he also has sensory processing

disorder.that omaega supp is a liquid and its grape flavor and he

loves it..I just say ok its brain food time and he raises his arms up

now for me to put him on the counter to take it and he reaches for the

basket of fruit and snacks and always grabs something. It's his health

food time now! he has added 2 new sounds to his speech but no words. I

am going ot order, right now, if I can get up the nerve to order

it...I am afraid I will order the wrong one for him and am searching

this site for info, switching him to Complete 3 6 9 from Nordic. doing

the liquid, and hoping it will work even better than this one.

but I understand your desire to want to do all that you can to help

her speak. I know I was just feeling quite down earlier....like what

else can I do...I should be doing more.but my wonderful husband

reminded me that I was a great mom, tht I go into the dr's with more

info than they have! that its not my fault our early intervention

messed up and now we gotta wait, tht I'm doing so much for him, with

the info I have. and when we find out new info we use it. we parents

are doing the best we can and can not beat ourselves up. we aren't

failing our kids we are loving them..and more than anything

else...they need ot know they are safe in their homes and they are

loved. you are providing that in a huge way!

You will do just fine...keep being her advocate...keep loving

her..keep researching!

the answers will come....I think it is so hard being patient when it

comes to your kid's health and well being. we want answers yesterday!

I jsut wanted to write you and say you are doing a great job and I am

in the same boat.....I will be praying for you and your Emmy,

Jillian, as we are dealing with similar issues. feel free to email me

anytime.....I could use the support too! so its never a bother

Blessings,

Krissy

>

> Hi there, My name is Jillian. I have two children. Jake is 4.5 and

> Emmy is 23 months. Emmy has never said any words. She did babble

> some as a small baby, but not much. She had severe reflux that was

> finally gotten under control with meds when she was 6 months old.

> She has finally been able to come off the meds in the last 6 months.

> She has always been a very heavy drooler. She started drooling at

> about 5-6 weeks old. Too young for teething. She still drools now,

> heavier at some times, lighter at other times. At her 12 month

> visit with her Ped, I asked why she wasn't taking. I was told to

> wait and see, she would. Same thing at her 15 month visit, even

> though I expressed my concernes that she wasn't making any real

> sounds. At her 18 month, I was to the same thing again...wait until

> her 24 month visit, she will be talking then for sure. I refused. I

> just knew something was very wrong. I insisted she, the Ped, do

> more. She gave me the number to Early Intervention. I called and a

> wonderful SLP called Peggy has been seeing Emmy for 1 hour a week

> since June. Emmy is really trying, but still says no words. It

> took me almost 3 months to get her to repeat " Ma " for mama. As soon

> as she said that, she forgot everything else she had been working

> on. It has been ths way all along. As soon as I get her to say a

> new sound, she stops making any sounds for 2-3 weeks and then has to

> start all over. Peggy has said from the begining that she beleives

> that Emmy has Apraxia, but she would have to watch her for awhile to

> make that diagnoses. At this time she feels fairly certain that this

> is Apraxia. I asked for more time. She has asked the Early

> Intervention to change Emmy to 3 30 minute sessions per week instead

> of 1 1 hour session. That will start tomorrow. I have done some

> reading on here and all over the web...I have started her on ProEFA,

> she hated the taste of the liquid, so I bought fish oil pills of

> similar contents at kroger to see if she would take them. She will

> swallow the pill about 75% of the time.

> How do I get her to take the fish oil???

> I was at the Ped for my son last week, while I was there she asked

> how Emmy was doing with speech therapy. I told her. She said that

> she wanted to refer Emmy to the Weiskopf Center in Louisville, KY.

> She said it will take a few months to get the appt and to expect to

> get there early in the morning and be there all day.

>

> Please, someone tell me what to expect. I have gone to the website,

> but still have no answers. What will they do to her there? What

> kind of tests?? How long to get results?? What will happen next for

> my Emmy?

>

> I hate this. I hate seeing my baby girl try so hard to get words out

> with no luck. She was tested before speech therapy on her expressive

> and receptive skills. At 18 months her expressive skills were at the

> 7 month range. Her receptive skills were at the 36 month range. She

> is so smart. Way ahead on understanding. I understand that this is

> normal with a child with Apraxia. Will the expressive ever catch

> up?? What else can I be doing to help her?? I'm will to do

> anything. The SLP, Peggy, said that until shemet Emmy she didn't

> think that you could be sure a child had Apraxia until they were 4 or

> 5, but with Emmy she has litle doubt.

>

> Any advise would be great right now. Thank you for taking to time

> to read this.

> Jillian

>

[Guest guest]

Krissy, you put into words how I feel exactly. God love you. We ARE good moms!

[ ] Re: New here, still learning about Apraxia,

have so many questions!!

Jillian, I feel your pain. My son is 19 months old and very similar to

your Emmy. We have had CHeesy (it's what we call him) on Barlean's

kids dha omega 3's for 2 weeks now and he has improved a lot in his

transitioning issues..we believe he also has sensory processing

disorder.that omaega supp is a liquid and its grape flavor and he

loves it..I just say ok its brain food time and he raises his arms up

now for me to put him on the counter to take it and he reaches for the

basket of fruit and snacks and always grabs something. It's his health

food time now! he has added 2 new sounds to his speech but no words. I

am going ot order, right now, if I can get up the nerve to order

it...I am afraid I will order the wrong one for him and am searching

this site for info, switching him to Complete 3 6 9 from Nordic. doing

the liquid, and hoping it will work even better than this one.

but I understand your desire to want to do all that you can to help

her speak. I know I was just feeling quite down earlier....like what

else can I do...I should be doing more.but my wonderful husband

reminded me that I was a great mom, tht I go into the dr's with more

info than they have! that its not my fault our early intervention

messed up and now we gotta wait, tht I'm doing so much for him, with

the info I have. and when we find out new info we use it. we parents

are doing the best we can and can not beat ourselves up. we aren't

failing our kids we are loving them..and more than anything

else...they need ot know they are safe in their homes and they are

loved. you are providing that in a huge way!

You will do just fine...keep being her advocate...keep loving

her..keep researching!

the answers will come....I think it is so hard being patient when it

comes to your kid's health and well being. we want answers yesterday!

I jsut wanted to write you and say you are doing a great job and I am

in the same boat.....I will be praying for you and your Emmy,

Jillian, as we are dealing with similar issues. feel free to email me

anytime.....I could use the support too! so its never a bother

Blessings,

Krissy

>

> Hi there, My name is Jillian. I have two children. Jake is 4.5 and

> Emmy is 23 months. Emmy has never said any words. She did babble

> some as a small baby, but not much. She had severe reflux that was

> finally gotten under control with meds when she was 6 months old.

> She has finally been able to come off the meds in the last 6 months.

> She has always been a very heavy drooler. She started drooling at

> about 5-6 weeks old. Too young for teething. She still drools now,

> heavier at some times, lighter at other times. At her 12 month

> visit with her Ped, I asked why she wasn't taking. I was told to

> wait and see, she would. Same thing at her 15 month visit, even

> though I expressed my concernes that she wasn't making any real

> sounds. At her 18 month, I was to the same thing again...wait until

> her 24 month visit, she will be talking then for sure. I refused. I

> just knew something was very wrong. I insisted she, the Ped, do

> more. She gave me the number to Early Intervention. I called and a

> wonderful SLP called Peggy has been seeing Emmy for 1 hour a week

> since June. Emmy is really trying, but still says no words. It

> took me almost 3 months to get her to repeat " Ma " for mama. As soon

> as she said that, she forgot everything else she had been working

> on. It has been ths way all along. As soon as I get her to say a

> new sound, she stops making any sounds for 2-3 weeks and then has to

> start all over. Peggy has said from the begining that she beleives

> that Emmy has Apraxia, but she would have to watch her for awhile to

> make that diagnoses. At this time she feels fairly certain that this

> is Apraxia. I asked for more time. She has asked the Early

> Intervention to change Emmy to 3 30 minute sessions per week instead

> of 1 1 hour session. That will start tomorrow. I have done some

> reading on here and all over the web...I have started her on ProEFA,

> she hated the taste of the liquid, so I bought fish oil pills of

> similar contents at kroger to see if she would take them. She will

> swallow the pill about 75% of the time.

> How do I get her to take the fish oil???

> I was at the Ped for my son last week, while I was there she asked

> how Emmy was doing with speech therapy. I told her. She said that

> she wanted to refer Emmy to the Weiskopf Center in Louisville, KY.

> She said it will take a few months to get the appt and to expect to

> get there early in the morning and be there all day.

>

> Please, someone tell me what to expect. I have gone to the website,

> but still have no answers. What will they do to her there? What

> kind of tests?? How long to get results?? What will happen next for

> my Emmy?

>

> I hate this. I hate seeing my baby girl try so hard to get words out

> with no luck. She was tested before speech therapy on her expressive

> and receptive skills. At 18 months her expressive skills were at the

> 7 month range. Her receptive skills were at the 36 month range. She

> is so smart. Way ahead on understanding. I understand that this is

> normal with a child with Apraxia. Will the expressive ever catch

> up?? What else can I be doing to help her?? I'm will to do

> anything. The SLP, Peggy, said that until shemet Emmy she didn't

> think that you could be sure a child had Apraxia until they were 4 or

> 5, but with Emmy she has litle doubt.

>

> Any advise would be great right now. Thank you for taking to time

> to read this.

> Jillian

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jillian. First of all, <<hugs>> to you!

I have a 22 month old son in a similar situation. Things improved

some once we got him on the proefa... still no real words though. I'm

new to this journey too. We're just starting early intervention. The

entire team will meet at our house on Friday to discuss his

treatment.

I'm interested to hear the experienced parents' responses to your

question of what to expect. I've posted the question before without

much success. I think it's because each child and each situation is

so unique.

Reading The Late Talker was a huge help as has seeing others' posts

about different therapies and what's working and what's not and

googling those therapies to find more information. All the

information is wonderful, but I can't lie... sometimes I just get

overwhelmed!! The responsibility for my child's treatment and outcome

is dependent on me... talk about pressure!

Good luck!! Please keep us posted on your progress and know that

others are on the same journey at about the same spot you are. You're

not alone!

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

We are still learning and trying different things, too. We started the

fish oil one week ago tomorrow. I'm not sure if I am seeing results

yet. I have noticed some nonverbal changes -- (who will be 3 in

Oct) is making progress on learning things that were challenges before

and he's actually moving around the house a lot better. He seems more

attentive or interested in things that he didn't really notice or seem

to care about before.

I didn't buy the ProEFA, but did buy the Nordic Naturals Complete Omega

3-6-9 from our health food store. It has lemon and smells like lemon,

not that icky fish smell. I first bought some orange-flavored

children's liquid fish oil. I aksed

[Guest guest]

Hi Jillian and all the newbies!

Jillian my drooling archive is below as I went through this with my

older not talked about as much here late talker Dakota. Tanner had

oral motor issues as well including weakness and motor planning as

well as sensory aspects that had to be addressed via therapy -but no

drooling problem. Go figure.

But before you read please get the bottle of fish oil you bought at

Kroger and list the dosages of DHA and whatever else is listed that

each capsule or two capsules contain. Fish oils always seem about

the same when you first learn about them -but ratios do matter. Most

times you'll get results to start even with the wrong formula -but

not the most dramatic ones unless it's the right formulas. You want

to make sure that at least the EPA is higher than the DHA (both are

Omega 3) and that it's not a pure Omega 3- that there is a teeny bit

of GLA (which is the Omega 6)

But wait am I understanding that your daughter is able to swallow

capsules even sometimes at 23 months?!! You are sometimes SO lucky!!!

This is one of the only times I do recommend the ProEFA Jr because

they are so little they are easier to swallow (and easier to chew).

They are perfect for teaching a child how to swallow capsules because

once they learn that no more trying to hide the fish oil in

pancakes. Outside of easier to swallow for children or for those

looking for an exact 1/2 dosage for some reason- the Jr. version of

the ProEFA is the exact same formula as the Jr. for about the same

amount of money for the same amount of capsules so about twice as

expensive. But... a much cuter bottle!

Note to who I just posted these for a month ago -did any of

these suggestions help? Any updates?

Re: Talk Tools Drooling Remediation Kit

Hi Tara and ,

This is a much larger club then you think -join it and see if you can

fit in the room! (meaning the " I have a child with speech issues and

oral motor issues club) Trust me -you are not alone!!!! Below is an

archive which includes answers from Sara who created Talk Tools as

well as an archive on drooling (so very long)

From: " kiddietalk " <kiddietalk@...>

Date: Tue Feb 10, 2004 6:05 pm

Subject: Re: Inability to Blow and Imitate / from Sara CCC

SLP

, The reason for the confusion as to who is best suited to work

on these oral-motor activities (i.e., " lick lips, stick his tongue

out, blow, suck through a straw, etc. " ) is really based on the fact

that both professions are interested in developing these skills.

The skills of blowing and sucking impact on feeding and speech

development. The same muscles that are used in feeding are used in

speech. Both professions therefore feel it is in their job

description to work on the activities. Both are right. In our

clinics we share the goals but use different techniques. The O.T.'s

are generally interested in gaining function for independence while

we SLP's want not only function we want normal movement. Speech is

superimposed on normal movement so when we talk about straw drinking

we talk about it in a hierarchy of muscle development as in the

TalkTools Straw Hierarchy. When we talk about blowing we create our

programs to develop adequate airflow for extended speech

statements. You need more air for a 5 word phrase than you do for a

2 word utterance. Therefore, instead of just picking up any horn or

blowing cotton balls we again work in a hierarchy of abdominal

grading activities (Horn Blowing Hierarchy or Bubble Blowing

Hierarchy.) I am just thrilled that both professions are claiming

the goals as their own. It was not so long ago that SLP's did not

see the benefit of working on non-speech movements for the

development of speech clarity. Sara Rosenfeld-

http://www.oromotorsp.com

http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/advisoryjohnson.html

> Hi and all,

>

> Wow this is a popular topic today -and one that was almost never

> talked about when my son Tanner was diagnosed just 4 years ago!

But

> I do see there is still much confusion about oral motor disorders.

>

> I sent an email to another advisor of CHERAB and Speechville about

> this, Sara Rosenthal CCC SLP

>

http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/advisoryjohnson.html

> Sara is the creator of Talk Tools, which you recommended, among

> many other techniques to help our kids.

>

> , even though in a few cases this would be possible, I

> wouldn't assume that a child that doesn't blow bubbles or imitate

> doesn't " get it " . There could be numerous reasons for this. In

> your child's case for example it sounds like there may be motor

> planning issues of the body. At 5 your son may have more in his

motor memory

> now and thus is able to do more. Or perhaps he didn't understand

prior -I

> wouldn't know. Most kids with appropriate therapy don't take this

long.

>

> But back to the not being able to imitate funny faces or blow

> bubbles or lick food off their lips...on command (key word) -

those

> are all signs of oral apraxia, but they could be from a weakness

> problem too or instead. My parent friendly rule of thumb is if

you

> see a child do it when not thinking about it, it's probably

> apraxia. If you never see your child do it ever -it's probably

> weakness. And again -it can be a combination of the two. It's

not

> that confusing when you have a few years to study it up close and

> work through it with therapy (not as a therapist -as a mom!)

>

> On top of motor planning and weakness issues (and receptive

ability

> in those cases) you can also throw eating and feeding as well as

> sensory problems into the mix too. And yes a child can have one

> aspect and no other -but typically or almost always as far as

anyone

> knows -a child that has oral apraxia will have verbal apraxia -but

> an adult who acquires oral apraxia can have that without verbal

> apraxia.

>

> Most late talkers (again) have average to above average ability,

> it's just that we don't understand them -and that's the only way

for

> them to express their ability to understand sometimes -us. They

> need us more than the professionals who today can still be

ignorant,

> to try to find ways to help them make themselves understood. A

way

> to communicate.

>

> Just like anything -children with impairments of communication do

> not just outgrow these issues on their own, they need appropriate

> interventions. is a perfect example of a child that grew up

> and now can talk and write...but a child who obviously was

deprived

> of what was appropriate therapy for him. I'm sure from speaking

to

> that everyone believed they did " all they could " to help him

> back then. You only know what you know. Thank goodness he's

getting the help he needs today.

> http://www.cherab.org/news/.html

>

> I'll post Sara's response as soon as she sends it, but in the

> meantime -speaking of only knowing what you know, again -this

topic

> if fully talked about from a professional and parent point of view

> in The Late Talker. (libraries/bookstores carry it -or you can

ask for them to

> order it for you) http://www.speech-express.com/late.talker.html

>

> There is a page on oral motor issues here which Sara helped to

write

> which have warning clues of various oral motor disorders.

> " Oral Apraxia is a disorder where the child, who typically is

> a " late talker " is unable to coordinate and/or initiate movement

of

> their jaw, lips and tongue (articulators) on command.

> An Oral Motor Disorder, which could be a different oral motor

> problem than apraxia (could be from weakness/dysarthria for

example)

> is the second type, in which the child is unable to coordinate

> and/or initiate movement of normal eating movements (vegetative

> activities.) "

> http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/oralapraxia.html

>

>

> This is Sara's homepage

> http://www.oromotorsp.com

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

aww thank you..and YES WE ARE!!! we are doing the best we can with the

information we have at present...hey we are on here searching our

booties off trying ot find support and answers!! May God bless all the

parents on here working hard for their kids

> >

> > Hi there, My name is Jillian. I have two children. Jake is 4.5 and

> > Emmy is 23 months. Emmy has never said any words. She did babble

> > some as a small baby, but not much. She had severe reflux that was

> > finally gotten under control with meds when she was 6 months old.

> > She has finally been able to come off the meds in the last 6

months.

> > She has always been a very heavy drooler. She started drooling at

> > about 5-6 weeks old. Too young for teething. She still drools now,

> > heavier at some times, lighter at other times. At her 12 month

> > visit with her Ped, I asked why she wasn't taking. I was told to

> > wait and see, she would. Same thing at her 15 month visit, even

> > though I expressed my concernes that she wasn't making any real

> > sounds. At her 18 month, I was to the same thing again...wait until

> > her 24 month visit, she will be talking then for sure. I refused. I

> > just knew something was very wrong. I insisted she, the Ped, do

> > more. She gave me the number to Early Intervention. I called and a

> > wonderful SLP called Peggy has been seeing Emmy for 1 hour a week

> > since June. Emmy is really trying, but still says no words. It

> > took me almost 3 months to get her to repeat " Ma " for mama. As soon

> > as she said that, she forgot everything else she had been working

> > on. It has been ths way all along. As soon as I get her to say a

> > new sound, she stops making any sounds for 2-3 weeks and then

has to

> > start all over. Peggy has said from the begining that she beleives

> > that Emmy has Apraxia, but she would have to watch her for

awhile to

> > make that diagnoses. At this time she feels fairly certain that

this

> > is Apraxia. I asked for more time. She has asked the Early

> > Intervention to change Emmy to 3 30 minute sessions per week

instead

> > of 1 1 hour session. That will start tomorrow. I have done some

> > reading on here and all over the web...I have started her on

ProEFA,

> > she hated the taste of the liquid, so I bought fish oil pills of

> > similar contents at kroger to see if she would take them. She will

> > swallow the pill about 75% of the time.

> > How do I get her to take the fish oil???

> > I was at the Ped for my son last week, while I was there she asked

> > how Emmy was doing with speech therapy. I told her. She said that

> > she wanted to refer Emmy to the Weiskopf Center in Louisville, KY.

> > She said it will take a few months to get the appt and to expect to

> > get there early in the morning and be there all day.

> >

> > Please, someone tell me what to expect. I have gone to the website,

> > but still have no answers. What will they do to her there? What

> > kind of tests?? How long to get results?? What will happen next for

> > my Emmy?

> >

> > I hate this. I hate seeing my baby girl try so hard to get words

out

> > with no luck. She was tested before speech therapy on her

expressive

> > and receptive skills. At 18 months her expressive skills were at

the

> > 7 month range. Her receptive skills were at the 36 month range. She

> > is so smart. Way ahead on understanding. I understand that this is

> > normal with a child with Apraxia. Will the expressive ever catch

> > up?? What else can I be doing to help her?? I'm will to do

> > anything. The SLP, Peggy, said that until shemet Emmy she didn't

> > think that you could be sure a child had Apraxia until they were

4 or

> > 5, but with Emmy she has litle doubt.

> >

> > Any advise would be great right now. Thank you for taking to time

> > to read this.

> > Jillian

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jillian,

Hang in there. Hopefully things will get better. The good thing is

you are getting early intervention which helps a lot. My child was

just officially diagnosed with apraxia even though we new it many

months ago. He turned 3 in Sept. He has been going to speech therapy

for about a year now. We just got qualified to start him in the

preschool program which includes speech therapy. Up until now we

have been paying for his therapy with some help from insurance. He

started talking when he was younger, I would say 12+ month range,

had about 7 true words, then all of a sudden he stopped. No more

words, just sounds. At 18 months we had an evaluation done and then

by 26 months he was in therapy. I have not counted every single

word, but I would guess he is in the 30 to 40 words now. All of his

tests are above average for his age, except speech itself. He is a

great facial contortionist (sp?) he can mimic pictures or the

train faces with amazing accuracy. Today I just gave him his first

Nordic Natural 3-6-9 Jr. Lucky for us he chewed it up and wanted

another one. Had to tell him he has to wait until morning for

another. I want to start him off a bit slow at first and then

increase, so one 500mg in the morn and one at night. He is starting

to come a long way from 1 year ago when he started therapy. I hope

the fish oil helps his progress. Lately, prior to the fish oil it

seems like he is starting to get it more and more. He tries harder

to say words correctly.

Going back to his younger days when he started to talk then stop. At

first I thought it had something to do with a vaccine, which I am

still not 100% convinced it was not. However since finding out about

essential fatty acids (EFA's) at around the same time he was being

weaned off of breast milk and formula. We bought the formula that

had EFA's in it. So in retrospect (keeping my fingers crossed) I

think it might have been a drop in EFA's that caused him to lose his

development. I also found out at the age of 2 I was in speech

therapy, same type of thing. I started talking then stopped. We both

would talk, but only vowel sounds and very few consonants. By the

time kindergarten came around I was talking just fine and had no

issues. So maybe for us it is genetic, maybe something about EFA's

or something to do with vaccines affected me and my child. I am not

sure, I do know I talk just fine and my son is progressing nicely,

even though he has a long way to go. I will keep updates on his

progression with his EFA supplements. Keep your chin up, stay strong

and help your child outside of therapy. It must continue at home.

Also our therapist does not do a hands on approach but from a

different evaluation at a different center, the therapist actually

touched his face and with a few tries he made the " K " sound. So this

might help you in the future to know this. Some people do not do a

hand on approach though. Might be something to ask. Best of luck to

you. I know how difficult it can be. But I feel it has made me

closer to him. BTW it's not just mom's who care about there

children, sometimes it's the dad too!!

>

> Hi there, My name is Jillian. I have two children. Jake is 4.5

and

> Emmy is 23 months. Emmy has never said any words. She did

babble

> some as a small baby, but not much. She had severe reflux that

was

> finally gotten under control with meds when she was 6 months old.

> She has finally been able to come off the meds in the last 6

months.

> She has always been a very heavy drooler. She started drooling at

> about 5-6 weeks old. Too young for teething. She still drools

now,

> heavier at some times, lighter at other times. At her 12 month

> visit with her Ped, I asked why she wasn't taking. I was told to

> wait and see, she would. Same thing at her 15 month visit, even

> though I expressed my concernes that she wasn't making any real

> sounds. At her 18 month, I was to the same thing again...wait

until

> her 24 month visit, she will be talking then for sure. I

refused. I

> just knew something was very wrong. I insisted she, the Ped, do

> more. She gave me the number to Early Intervention. I called and

a

> wonderful SLP called Peggy has been seeing Emmy for 1 hour a week

> since June. Emmy is really trying, but still says no words. It

> took me almost 3 months to get her to repeat " Ma " for mama. As

soon

> as she said that, she forgot everything else she had been working

> on. It has been ths way all along. As soon as I get her to say a

> new sound, she stops making any sounds for 2-3 weeks and then has

to

> start all over. Peggy has said from the begining that she

beleives

> that Emmy has Apraxia, but she would have to watch her for awhile

to

> make that diagnoses. At this time she feels fairly certain that

this

> is Apraxia. I asked for more time. She has asked the Early

> Intervention to change Emmy to 3 30 minute sessions per week

instead

> of 1 1 hour session. That will start tomorrow. I have done some

> reading on here and all over the web...I have started her on

ProEFA,

> she hated the taste of the liquid, so I bought fish oil pills of

> similar contents at kroger to see if she would take them. She

will

> swallow the pill about 75% of the time.

> How do I get her to take the fish oil???

> I was at the Ped for my son last week, while I was there she asked

> how Emmy was doing with speech therapy. I told her. She said

that

> she wanted to refer Emmy to the Weiskopf Center in Louisville,

KY.

> She said it will take a few months to get the appt and to expect

to

> get there early in the morning and be there all day.

>

> Please, someone tell me what to expect. I have gone to the

website,

> but still have no answers. What will they do to her there? What

> kind of tests?? How long to get results?? What will happen next

for

> my Emmy?

>

> I hate this. I hate seeing my baby girl try so hard to get words

out

> with no luck. She was tested before speech therapy on her

expressive

> and receptive skills. At 18 months her expressive skills were at

the

> 7 month range. Her receptive skills were at the 36 month range.

She

> is so smart. Way ahead on understanding. I understand that this

is

> normal with a child with Apraxia. Will the expressive ever catch

> up?? What else can I be doing to help her?? I'm will to do

> anything. The SLP, Peggy, said that until shemet Emmy she didn't

> think that you could be sure a child had Apraxia until they were 4

or

> 5, but with Emmy she has litle doubt.

>

> Any advise would be great right now. Thank you for taking to

time

> to read this.

> Jillian

>

[Guest guest]

proefa and omega 369 are the same thing.

you wrote:

We are still learning and trying different things, too. We started the

fish oil one week ago tomorrow. I'm not sure if I am seeing results

yet. I have noticed some nonverbal changes -- (who will be 3 in

Oct) is making progress on learning things that were challenges before

and he's actually moving around the house a lot better. He seems more

attentive or interested in things that he didn't really notice or seem

to care about before.

I didn't buy the ProEFA, but did buy the Nordic Naturals Complete Omega

3-6-9 from our health food store. It has lemon and smells like lemon,

not that icky fish smell. I first bought some orange-flavored

children's liquid fish oil. I aksed

[Guest guest]

Hi Jillian-

This is a hard road, but take a deep breath! I know it is so hard to

see your daughter learn a word and lose it. I have cried many times

over sadness for my son and frustration on working so hard to teach a

word and then it is gone. But, I promise you, there will come a time

when she will learn a word and it will stick. You are already doing

well to get her in 3 30 minute sessions a week. But, they have to

show you results as I've learned that more therapy is great, but more

of the wrong type of therapy is not. I would also make sure that the

goals on her IFSP have the word " consistently " . This way, if she

learns a word and then loses it, they are working on this with her

and will have to do adjust their approach, frequency, or duration of

therapy in order to meet the goals. Also, make sure that there is a

progress meeting every 3 months.

Does she imitate sounds? This is the very first thing you want to

work on. If she won't imitate sounds, start with movements. Pat the

sand for a sand castle and say " pat, pat, pat " . If she copies your

movements, great. If she copies the sounds get very excited. It

sounds like you are doing this with " ma " . With my son, he said mama

and lost it for 7 months. M,P, B sounds come first. The most

important thing is to do the homework your therapist gives you, but

ease into your practice until it becomes a normal part of your life.

My son is now almost 2 1/2. He had 3 words at 18 months. He lost

all of those words by the time the therapist came to my house. Now,

he has over 50 words and can put 2 and 3 word phrases together. I do

speech therapy with him every day, sometimes for 2 hours spread out

throughout the day. Some days we roll on the grass in the back yard,

or go to the park and don't talk about anything but the shapes of the

clouds (I'm the only one talking, but you get the idea).

Yes, get all the help you can. You are already doing that. Do the

homework they give you. Follow your gut. But, also listen to your

heart when your child is showing you she has had enough and just

wants to be a kid and have fun. Work hard, but play hard too. Try

to make the work be as much fun as you can.

Penny

>

> Hi there, My name is Jillian. I have two children. Jake is 4.5

and

> Emmy is 23 months. Emmy has never said any words. She did babble

> some as a small baby, but not much. She had severe reflux that was

> finally gotten under control with meds when she was 6 months old.

> She has finally been able to come off the meds in the last 6

months.

> She has always been a very heavy drooler. She started drooling at

> about 5-6 weeks old. Too young for teething. She still drools

now,

> heavier at some times, lighter at other times. At her 12 month

> visit with her Ped, I asked why she wasn't taking. I was told to

> wait and see, she would. Same thing at her 15 month visit, even

> though I expressed my concernes that she wasn't making any real

> sounds. At her 18 month, I was to the same thing again...wait

until

> her 24 month visit, she will be talking then for sure. I refused.

I

> just knew something was very wrong. I insisted she, the Ped, do

> more. She gave me the number to Early Intervention. I called and

a

> wonderful SLP called Peggy has been seeing Emmy for 1 hour a week

> since June. Emmy is really trying, but still says no words. It

> took me almost 3 months to get her to repeat " Ma " for mama. As

soon

> as she said that, she forgot everything else she had been working

> on. It has been ths way all along. As soon as I get her to say a

> new sound, she stops making any sounds for 2-3 weeks and then has

to

> start all over. Peggy has said from the begining that she beleives

> that Emmy has Apraxia, but she would have to watch her for awhile

to

> make that diagnoses. At this time she feels fairly certain that

this

> is Apraxia. I asked for more time. She has asked the Early

> Intervention to change Emmy to 3 30 minute sessions per week

instead

> of 1 1 hour session. That will start tomorrow. I have done some

> reading on here and all over the web...I have started her on

ProEFA,

> she hated the taste of the liquid, so I bought fish oil pills of

> similar contents at kroger to see if she would take them. She will

> swallow the pill about 75% of the time.

> How do I get her to take the fish oil???

> I was at the Ped for my son last week, while I was there she asked

> how Emmy was doing with speech therapy. I told her. She said that

> she wanted to refer Emmy to the Weiskopf Center in Louisville, KY.

> She said it will take a few months to get the appt and to expect to

> get there early in the morning and be there all day.

>

> Please, someone tell me what to expect. I have gone to the

website,

> but still have no answers. What will they do to her there? What

> kind of tests?? How long to get results?? What will happen next

for

> my Emmy?

>

> I hate this. I hate seeing my baby girl try so hard to get words

out

> with no luck. She was tested before speech therapy on her

expressive

> and receptive skills. At 18 months her expressive skills were at

the

> 7 month range. Her receptive skills were at the 36 month range.

She

> is so smart. Way ahead on understanding. I understand that this

is

> normal with a child with Apraxia. Will the expressive ever catch

> up?? What else can I be doing to help her?? I'm will to do

> anything. The SLP, Peggy, said that until shemet Emmy she didn't

> think that you could be sure a child had Apraxia until they were 4

or

> 5, but with Emmy she has litle doubt.

>

> Any advise would be great right now. Thank you for taking to time

> to read this.

> Jillian

>