Question regarding language delay and apraxia

[Guest guest]

I'm still learning a lot about the whole world of speech and language

disorders/delays, and I have a question based on something my son's teacher told

us.

Just some background ... my son's previous SLP (before we started with the

school district) diagnosed him as " suspected apraxia " , though she told me in

conversation that she was sure that's what he has. Well the school district has

always held the position that it's too early to diagnose apraxia and seem pretty

bent on digging their heels in on even considering that as a diagnosis for my

son. Consequently, they've been treating him with a group preschool class that

focuses on language, as well as a group phonology class.

At the end of the school year (2 months into his time with them), his teacher

told me she thought my son's primary issue was a language delay, and not a

speech problem. And that if we focus on the language, the speech will come. So

that's what her focus has been with him.

Huh?? How will that help with his apraxia? (I suppose it's possible it's *not*

apraxia, though I've had 3 different SLPs tell me they think it is.) And how

can she say his primary problem is a language delay if he can't say the words to

form phrases?

So my questions are: Are language delays common with apraxia (that is, do they

go alongside an apraxia dx?)? I've always held the belief that my son hasn't

expanded his language skills because it takes so much effort for him to say

individual words, that he primarily sticks to simple phrases (e.g. 2-3 word

phrases) to communicate. What do you think about this?