Re: Please tell me I'm right!

July 7, 2009

I am from the school of thought after running this group for over a decade that

while homeschooling is a great alternative for those that don't want to put

their child into the school system -the child will still need appropriate

therapies. If you are able to secure appropriate speech and occupational

therapy then it won't matter.

As we know models are not what helps an apraxic child learn to speak as they

require specific one on one motor planning therapies. According to the majority

of ASHA experts, group therapy is inappropriate for any child with a moderate to

profound delay in speech and most with apraxia have a severe delay in speech.

I wouldn't be so quick however to pull your child from all the programs as you

are not playing the game by the rules and thus your child may not be entitled to

the services that you could advocate for. For example you could advocate for

appropriate placement and appropriate therapy or therapies.

Below is a long archive -mainly about preschool for the hearing impaired because

that's one multisensory enriched preschool placement that has been phenomenally

successful for our children. The goal isn't to get our children into " normal "

preschools...the goal is to get our children up to speed as soon as possible so

that they 'could' be mainstreamed K through 12.

Here's a long archive:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: Summit Speech School

Hi ,

I personally weighed the pros and the cons -much like you are doing -

and without a doubt in my mind I chose Summit Speech School for

Tanner. The misconception is that a child that attends a school for

the hearing impaired must also have some type of hearing impairment -

nope.

Almost all the 'apraxic' children that attended the Summit Speech

School in New Providence, NJ -a state of the art facility -had

normal hearing. There were a handful of hearing impaired apraxic

children there too. My nephew also attended SSS -he has a mild

hearing loss from frequent ear infections and a speech impairment -

and he too is doing amazing.

Talk to the director of the Summit Speech School - Kanter

about Rotheweiler's son - a true success story. is

still a member here -however like most of the parents who's children

are doing so well -they don't post as often. In fact most of the

children I know that put their kids on the right EFAs and in the

right therapy/programs are doing amazing and mainstreamed today -

's son being one of them. Why do I bring up 's son?

Because he too had behavioral problems (head banging for example) -

not from PDD or autism -but from frustration. The EFAs were the

first to stop the behavioral problems -and then he got the right

therapy - (like many parents in our group) is an awesome

advocate -and like Tanner -her son attended the Summit Speech School

until he was six.

Most of the children I know that were given and taught to use a

complex augmentative device were much older than your child -even if

they were nonverbal. I don't know your child -however I know that

will not hesitate to give you her opinion once she knows the

situation and your child -and off the cuff I'd say the answer is to

wait with the complex augmentative for now and take the Summit

Speech School.

When on an old apraxia list when Tanner was first diagnosed (another

rebel thing I brought up back then) I brought up the question about

teaching hearing apraxic children in schools for the hearing

impaired because " if they teach deaf children to communicate -then

maybe they can help Tanner " I figured that like our kids -deaf

children need a multisensory way to learn to speak since our kids

don't just " pick it up " from other children -or from anyone. I was

told by that list owner it was not a good idea because Tanner

wouldn't be getting sign language in the class, and he wouldn't have

good role models.

-since you saw the Summit Speech School -I don't have to tell

you what the classes are like -it's like a state of the art much

more beautiful than any you could imagine " normal " school - and yes

the children are talking. About two years after I brought up my off

the wall thought, and after Tanner was thriving there and more and

more children through the CHERAB group attended either Summit Speech

School or Lakedrive school (another school for the hearing impaired -

but not an oral based one) and also thrived -Dr. Joan Sheppard from

Columbia and others did a presentation at the ASHA conference about

teaching hearing apraxic children at schools for the hearing

impaired -deaf. Unfortunately for some unknown reason -ASHA only

allows members to view their articles -so not to worry ASHA -any

important information like this will be kept secret from the world

(and the point of that is?...)

told me the reason that they don't allow sign in the school

is that a child who is deaf that does not communicate verbally by

five will most likely never talk -where they can learn to sign at

any age. And as says - " It's a verbal world " On the other

hand -the school day is not all day -you can still sign with your

child the rest of the time -and it's not like the

teachers/therapists will not acknowledge sign -they just don't

encourage it.

Whatever they did -it worked and it's the best school Tanner ever

went to -and all the parents I know who have a child that went there

say the same. I wish they had a K-12 program. There were so many

children that attended the Summit Speech School with apraxia -that I

joked to they should rename the school to Summit Speech

School for Hearing Impaired and (hearing) Apraxic Children. Of

course the funding for the SSS is for the hearing impaired and deaf -

so " ssshhhh " -we have to be a bit quiet about that fact. As always -

apraxics get the short end of the stick.

Below are some archived messages to hopefully answer a bit more -

and I hope others answer as well!

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

Date: Thu Sep 26, 2002 11:34 pm

Subject: difference between two types of hearing impaired schools

" And also in what ways the programs at the 2 schools for the hearing

impaired differed "

Sorry -just going to close my computer down and found I forgot to

add this to my last email!

Summit Speech School is an oral based school for the hearing

impaired and Lake Drive is a traditional school for the hearing

impaired.

Lori Deforest and other parents that have hearing impaired apraxic

children can fill us in on the crazy strong politics of " deaf

culture " against oral based schools like SSS. Here's what my

understanding is the difference.

Oral based schools do not use sign language -not that that's great

for our kids that are hearing apraxics, but didn't appear to hurt

them. The philosophy is not for apraxics that are hearing -it's for

the deaf - a child that is deaf that doesn't learn to talk by five

will most likely never talk where a person can learn sign at any

age. Summit Speech School has an amazing track record with teaching

deaf children to talk -and even before I heard about schools for the

deaf from anyone -I thought " If they can teach deaf children to talk

and people like Helen Keller they have to be able to teach Tanner

somehow. Maybe his brain will learn it different but there's got to

be a way to teach him. " At that time Tanner was one of the only

children with apraxia being schooled with hearing impaired

children. At SSS other than the rising amounts of apraxic children -

the deaf children mostly have had implants of cochlear implants from

a very young age -so they hear and are taught to understand what

they hear and to talk!

The deaf community -which is a world in itself and a whole culture -

considers cochlear implants mutilating the deaf children. I'll

never forget the answer to a " signed " attack (which I hear is not

uncommon) from a deaf person against this one Dad's son's cochlear

implant.

(most of the kids know sign too -and the parents -they are just

taught not to depend on this since the rest of the world doesn't

know it) This dad defended what they did by signing back " so if your

child had a problem with his heart you would just let him die or

would you get surgery to correct it? It's our choice and right to

correct our child's deafness - this is a hearing world "

The Lake Drive school follows principals of in teaching language in

blocks " Links to Language " -and they do sign language. I don't know

as much about this school except out of the children I know that

attended there -they were more severe -and in two cases the school

systems considered the children cognitively impaired even though

that was debated by the parents. Most of the parents that I know

had children at SSS. At SSS if you were to observe the classrooms

you wouldn't know the difference between what they did during the

day and any other awesome preschool was doing.

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

Date: Fri Sep 27, 2002 8:09 am

Subject: Re: Speech IEP/what to look for

Hi Kim!

You know before I answer your question there is one thing I left out

about oral based schools for the deaf that may be another very

important reason that apraxic children do so well in these

classrooms. In Tanner's school -the Summit Speech School -they used

an FM system in the classrooms -which amplifies the teacher's voice

throughout the room. I've read that this system may also be useful

for those children with auditory processing disorders.

http://www.judithpaton.com/

I don't believe there is any research on apraxic children learning

to speak in a classroom that utilizes an FM system vs. one that

doesn't ...I of course write this very tongue in cheek since there

isn't much of any research, talk, or awareness about apraxia (even

though it's more common than autism because it can be found in many

with autism -but is in addition found in a large number of other

disorders and also stands alone -or with mild " soft signs " -then

typically viewed as the child that ranges from " just a late talker "

to PDD)

A language based preschool is in a nutshell where the learning is

through the activities. For example -if the child is painting -the

teacher or aide or SLP or OT etc. could be sitting right by the

child saying " blue! you chose blue! can you say blue? bluuuue? "

The teacher then may ask the child which color they want to paint

with next, and give them a choice between yellow or red. However

of course if the child is nonverbal the aide accepts nonverbal ways

of communication -or verbal attempts -praises the child and then

will repeat the word that was attempted back correctly.

In a language based preschool they will work on certain themes

-and

all activities will revolve around core words of that theme. Those

words (and the pictures that go with them) will be sent home with

the child so that they can be reinforced by the family. For

example -in October almost all over the place in preschools the

theme is Halloween -so the activities may be making masks -or

ghosts, or bats, etc. and the books they read and the snacks -well

you get the point.

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/Halloween.shtml

http://www.123child.com/fall/hall.html

Here is some information on the web on language based preschools.:

http://www.iub.edu/~s110/preschool.htm

" The Indiana University Speech and Hearing Center conducts a special

program for preschool-aged children. In general, the program

focuses on development of language skills as a key to learning.

Thus, the program is designed to enhance the language learning of

preschool children, whether they are typically developing, learning

English as a second language or exhibiting communication delays.

Philosophy

We believe that children are active learners. When given a language-

rich learning environment, children will actively construct language

from their experiences. All children are viewed as candidates for

language enhancement. Language teaching is most effective when it

focuses on the interests of individual children during natural

interactions in the classroom setting. Since language crosses all

areas of development, we believe in an integrated approach where

cognitive, social-emotional, motor and other learning occurs

throughout the day and in the context of meaningful activities.... "

(this whole page is about language based preschool programs so a

good one to look at)

http://www.iub.edu/~s110/preschool.htm

" What is the distinction between the TCOE preschool programs and

VUSD preschool programs?

The child who will benefit the most from VUSD preschool programs

will be within the average range in two or more developmental areas

(social, cognitive, receptive/ expressive language, self & #8209;help

skills

and fine/gross motor skills.) Often, but not always, the child's

primary handicapping condition will be in the area of speech and

language. Typically, these children have a communication system

indicating the need to express themselves. These are also children

who are able to learn classroom structure and organization. In other

words, these are children who are ready to progress and learn. The

classrooms are language & #8209;based but rely on a structured,

organized

curriculum that children can developmentally " navigate. " Although

experiential play is a part of the curriculum, there are more

demands made upon the child to express knowledge and learning in an

organized, sequential manner. This does not preclude children with

other handicapping conditions. We have made substantial gains in

children diagnosed with a variety of disabilities. All referrals and

placements are given consideration on an individual basis and

placement is determined by the IEP process. "

http://www2.visalia.k12.ca.us/health/pre-school.htm

" The Language-Learning Early-Advantage Program (LEAP) is an

individualized communication enrichment preschool program. It

features a strong language-based curriculum and a very small teacher-

child ratio designed to maximize each child's speech and language

development. This program is open to children between the ages of

three and five years, and especially welcomes those with speech

and/or language delays only or children who are learning English as

a second language. "

http://www.bsos.umd.edu/hesp/kidbroch.html

" Kyrene Preschool offers a developmental curriculum consistent with

the philosophy. The program is language based with a strong emphasis

on language acquisition and development.

The goals are to provide many experiences for enhancing

communication skills, guidance and support in the development of

self-control and independence, and a positive preschool experience;

to encourage development of a positive self-concept and an accepting

and caring attitude toward others; and opportunities for development

of appropriate interactive skills between peers, creative

expression, making choices, developing problem-solving skills,

growing intellectually, and developing fine and gross motor skills. "

http://www.kyrene.org/resource/preschool/preschool_program.htm

=====

July 7, 2009

The school sent people to my son's private preschool to observe him. That's

a cop out! What does child find do? They go to the natural environment

that the child is in to make observations and determinations all the time.

We refused the public preschool placement because it was completely

inappropriate for my child! His private preschool OTOH was fantastic. Play

based Reggio Emilia philosophy with a former special ed teacher who was just

an amazing person.

My son did go to two years of preschool, then homeschooled for one semester,

K for one semester (we moved districts) and then homeschooled last year.

Throughout he received appropriate private and/or public school speech

therapy. As far as speech goes the therapy has helped more than being with

kids. Educationally homeschool makes more sense for him at this point as he

also has a severe language delay and the academics in school were just not

taught in an appropriate way for him to learn. He has a high IQ and is now

reading at an advanced level, but I still need to make a lot of adaptations

that the schools just weren't making.

I don't believe in any way that homeschooling is hindering his speech or

language development and at this point it's better for his academic

development.

Miche

On Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 9:23 PM, kalihi76 <kaliki76@...> wrote:

>

> My son was offered the developmental preschool thru the school district 6

> months ago. I didn't like it - the teachers seemed cold and were very much

> focused on getting the kids " kindergarten ready " . My son is 3.5yrs old (was

> just newly 3 at the time of the suggestion to put him in a 4day a week

> preschool). Anyway, after my research in apraxia, I found that group therapy

> has no benefit. It's the one on one therapy approach that is most effective.

> So I felt, it didn't matter what preschool he went to, as he was in therapy

> public & privately for his apraxia.

>

> The school was really agaff to my decision. They don't understand it. But I

> stood my ground. Anyway, after taking my son to a different preschool for a

> few months, I found that I could do a better job at home with him. He is

> already in other playgroups and church functions, so socially, he gets

> plenty of interaction. I'm planning on homeschooling and doing my own

> preschool program with him in the fall.

>

> The school already knows I took him out of his private preschool & they are

> pushing me to put him in their preschool. I'm afraid of how they

> will react when I tell them I am homeschooling him.

> The SLP has already put in her report that " I am unable to observe him

> with other children because he is in a private preschool. Although the

> mother reports he interacts normally with other kids, I am unable

> to make a determination for myself "

>

> (((ROLL EYES HERE!!))

>

> So, input please.. Some other moms I know with apraxic kids have put

> their kids in the school preschool & have said it's helped them talk. I

> then wonder, if they have apraxia or some other speech delay , or if it's

> really the therapy that's working?

>

> Anyway, do other parents opt out of the developmental preschool?

>

July 8, 2009

Thank you for your reply & for the articles. I need to clarify that I'm not

pulling him out of all services. He is in speech therapy (one thru school, one

privately) 3x a week & OT once a week. The school has not, nor cannot deny

speech therapy b/c I don't want to send my son to their preschool.

July 8, 2009

yes, You are right, This year my I asked for more speech, then they said we

need to do full assessment, after that, they said Oh, she doesnt need any

academic goals, they took her from class, OT, she is ok, but this is not right,

I dout For all, ONLY SHE NEEDS SPEECH?????

My daughter Has a SEVERE VERBAL APRAXIA, plus Pholongical disorder, they said

We can give her 1 hour private indivduel, I asked them HOW YOU DO THIS??????

Now I fell they dont want to give her Class as they said she is 4

years-Pre-school, also they are not fair, they cut the bus, and didnt add any

more speech time, and giving OT services which Iam asked for before.

So why they did full assessement???

Carol

________________________________

From: Grassia <miche37@...>

Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 9:48:49 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Please tell me I'm right!