Re: I'm so confused....help!

[Guest guest]

Just a warning about Dr. Cargan-- he's about $800-1,000 per appt though!

He's good--and we went to him for Asa, but he doesn't take insurance and

he's expensive

bek

In a message dated 12/19/2009 1:45:19 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

kiddietalk@... writes:

Dr. Agin was my son Tanner's developmental pediatrician and I highly

recommend her. I've also heard wonderful things about Dr. Abba Cargan who is a

pediatric neurologist in the NY/NJ area as well

[Guest guest]

Aliza I don't care for the diagnosis of delayed " language " disorder for a two

year old! I mean it's clear he has delayed speech but you don't provide enough

in the way of symptoms to know if it's a simple delay or a disorder.

Have you read The Late Talker book? If not that would probably be a great start

point -but you can also take a look at this

http://www.cherab.org/information/latetalkerhandout.html

Below is a " newly diagnosed with apraxia " message from our

http://www.apraxia.org facebook page Under the discussion board at this page

you'll also find plenty of newbie info including information on the oils.

Dr. Agin was my son Tanner's developmental pediatrician and I highly recommend

her. I've also heard wonderful things about Dr. Abba Cargan who is a pediatric

neurologist in the NY/NJ area as well. I'm sure if you post what state you are

in you may get other suggestions. And on another note I am not at all a fan of

trying GFCF diets unless your child needs one. There is no proof from this

group that a child needs to be put on a restrictive diet and as a child that had

to grow up on such a diet please take that into consideration as well as I

remember how much I hated that diet even though I was one of the few that

actually needed to be on it to live. I'm all for organic as possible, healthy

as possible...but special diets when not needed? This fad came out a few years

ago with the autism groups and if you check the archives or join a local support

group you'll find that these diets are needed when they are needed. Fish oils

on the other hand -YES!!!!!

Here's the archive from the apraxia.org page:

The overwhelming majority (if you check the archives) have success

with the basic approach to apraxia.

On the other hand- most of us are dealing with more than verbal

apraxia. We just don't know that when our child is 2 -and we learn

through professionals and observations as they continue to grow and

more and more is expected of them. This is also why it's important

to take your child for a neurodevelopmental medical exam when your

child is suspected of apraxia to confirm or rule out other diagnosis

such as sensory integration dysfunction etc. The earlier you know -

the sooner to start appropriate therapies to get them up to speed by

kindergarten.

Don't let it overwhelm you -perhaps we aren't meant to know more

than what we have to know at each stage. We'll be here to help along

the way. It's OK to have any type of emotion when we find out our

child has more than a simple delay -or " more " than " just " verbal

apraxia. And it's OK to be completely overwhelmed and saddened to

find out your child has apraxia. And as I was one of those parents

it's never " just " apraxia when you find out!!!

It's OK to be upset " just " because your child is a " late talker " too!

Please know that I too believed my son Tanner to just have apraxia,.but down the

road found out he had a few other things we needed to help him

address. The incredible news is that the majority of our children if

you check history are up to speed to be mainstreamed by kindergarten-

and of course many have learned with communication impaired children

that it's best to start kindergarten at 6 vs. 5 to give them that one

extra year of therapy and developmental time.

If you have questions after reading the following please share them.

This group has always been a wealth of information for all of us, no

matter how long we've been here.

Below is a new member archived message to hopefully answer more of

your questions for now (did you read The Late Talker yet?) For updated

information on fish oils and vitamin E and more - please visit the

links section here

/links

What type of apraxic like speech behaviors are you seeing that makes

you and the SLP suspect your child has apraxia vs. a simple delay in

speech? Is your child talking at all yet? At your child's age -

without speech, it's difficult to diagnose verbal apraxia -they

could " suspect " verbal apraxia and begin treatment just in case,

which wouldn't hurt your child if he ended up just having a simple

delay. Just a few questions before we could provide more accurate

answers:

Does your child have signs of oral apraxia? (for example, can he on

command smile, imitate funny faces, blow bubbles...if you put peanut

butter anywhere around his mouth can he lick it off no matter where

it is?)

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

Does your child have any neurological " soft signs " such as hypotonia

or sensory integration dysfunction?

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

Who else evaluated your child? Was it only the SLP through your

town school or was he also in Early Intervention through the state?

(birth to three) Was he evaluated by both a speech pathologist as

well as an occupational therapist? Was/were they knowledgeable

about apraxia? (If your child wasn't diagnosed by an occupational

therapist as well and professionals suspect apraxia -I highly

recommend you request that too either through both the school as

well as private through insurance for many reasons)

To answer any questions you may have about taking your child to see a

neurodevelopmental MD if he has not yet been to one and apraxia is

suspected... in one word - " Yes!!! " I would have your child diagnosed

(private) by a neurodevelopmental medical doctor (developmental

pediatrician or pediatric neurologist) who is knowledgeable about

apraxia and other neurologically based multi-faceted communication

impairments for numerous reasons. Reasons include (but not limited

to)

*having a " hero " on the outside of the school who can assist in a

therapeutic plan and oversee your child's development over the years

*advocacy support with the insurance company

* ruling out or confirming any neurological soft signs or any other

reasons for the delay in speech

*help those that ask " why isn't he talking yet " understand this is a

medical condition -and has nothing to do with your child's cognitive

ability. (if in your child's case it doesn't. Apraxia in itself

does not affect a child's cognitive ability -and speaking early or

late is no indication of a child's intelligence. Also contrary to

popular belief -most who have speech impairments have average to

above average intelligence)

Here's an article written by Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician Dr.

Marilyn Agin that was featured as a cover article in Contemporary

Pediatrics -a trade magazine for hundreds of thousands of pediatric

medical professionals across the US. (I wrote the parent guide)

" The " late talker " -when silence isn't golden

Not all children with delayed speech are " little Einsteins " or garden

variety " late bloomers. " Some have a speech-language disorder that

will persist unless warning signs are recognized and intervention

comes early. Includes a Guide for Parents. "

Podcast interview with Dr. Marilyn Agin from Contemporary Pediatrics

http://contemporarypediatrics.modernmedicine.com/radio_peds4

Actual article (where you can read it for free)

http://opsc.mediwire.com/main/Default.aspx?P=Content & ArticleID=132720

There are also many activities parents can do at home with their

child to

promote the development of speech. These are detailed in the Guide

for Parents

http://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/contpeds/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=1363\

\

15.

This guide was written by

[Guest guest]

I agree-it would help to know in whate state each parent who posts lives (just

put city,state under your signature)--so I can offer appropriate

recommendations. I know some excellent developmental peds--but they are in

County in MD. May or may not be convenient.

Warmest wishes,

Barbara A , M.S., CCC-SLP

Executive Director, Help Me Speak, LLC

410-442-9791

[ ] Re: I'm so confused....help!

Aliza I don't care for the diagnosis of delayed " language " disorder for a two

year old! I mean it's clear he has delayed speech but you don't provide enough

in the way of symptoms to know if it's a simple delay or a disorder.

Have you read The Late Talker book? If not that would probably be a great start

point -but you can also take a look at this

http://www.cherab.org/information/latetalkerhandout.html

Below is a " newly diagnosed with apraxia " message from our

http://www.apraxia.org facebook page Under the discussion board at this page

you'll also find plenty of newbie info including information on the oils.

Dr. Agin was my son Tanner's developmental pediatrician and I highly recommend

her. I've also heard wonderful things about Dr. Abba Cargan who is a pediatric

neurologist in the NY/NJ area as well. I'm sure if you post what state you are

in you may get other suggestions. And on another note I am not at all a fan of

trying GFCF diets unless your child needs one. There is no proof from this

group that a child needs to be put on a restrictive diet and as a child that had

to grow up on such a diet please take that into consideration as well as I

remember how much I hated that diet even though I was one of the few that

actually needed to be on it to live. I'm all for organic as possible, healthy

as possible...but special diets when not needed? This fad came out a few years

ago with the autism groups and if you check the archives or join a local support

group you'll find that these diets are needed when they are needed. Fish oils

on the other hand -YES!!!!!

Here's the archive from the apraxia.org page:

The overwhelming majority (if you check the archives) have success

with the basic approach to apraxia.

On the other hand- most of us are dealing with more than verbal

apraxia. We just don't know that when our child is 2 -and we learn

through professionals and observations as they continue to grow and

more and more is expected of them. This is also why it's important

to take your child for a neurodevelopmental medical exam when your

child is suspected of apraxia to confirm or rule out other diagnosis

such as sensory integration dysfunction etc. The earlier you know -

the sooner to start appropriate therapies to get them up to speed by

kindergarten.

Don't let it overwhelm you -perhaps we aren't meant to know more

than what we have to know at each stage. We'll be here to help along

the way. It's OK to have any type of emotion when we find out our

child has more than a simple delay -or " more " than " just " verbal

apraxia. And it's OK to be completely overwhelmed and saddened to

find out your child has apraxia. And as I was one of those parents

it's never " just " apraxia when you find out!!!

It's OK to be upset " just " because your child is a " late talker " too!

Please know that I too believed my son Tanner to just have apraxia,.but down the

road found out he had a few other things we needed to help him

address. The incredible news is that the majority of our children if

you check history are up to speed to be mainstreamed by kindergarten-

and of course many have learned with communication impaired children

that it's best to start kindergarten at 6 vs. 5 to give them that one

extra year of therapy and developmental time.

If you have questions after reading the following please share them.

This group has always been a wealth of information for all of us, no

matter how long we've been here.

Below is a new member archived message to hopefully answer more of

your questions for now (did you read The Late Talker yet?) For updated

information on fish oils and vitamin E and more - please visit the

links section here

/links

What type of apraxic like speech behaviors are you seeing that makes

you and the SLP suspect your child has apraxia vs. a simple delay in

speech? Is your child talking at all yet? At your child's age -

without speech, it's difficult to diagnose verbal apraxia -they

could " suspect " verbal apraxia and begin treatment just in case,

which wouldn't hurt your child if he ended up just having a simple

delay. Just a few questions before we could provide more accurate

answers:

Does your child have signs of oral apraxia? (for example, can he on

command smile, imitate funny faces, blow bubbles...if you put peanut

butter anywhere around his mouth can he lick it off no matter where

it is?)

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

Does your child have any neurological " soft signs " such as hypotonia

or sensory integration dysfunction?

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

Who else evaluated your child? Was it only the SLP through your

town school or was he also in Early Intervention through the state?

(birth to three) Was he evaluated by both a speech pathologist as

well as an occupational therapist? Was/were they knowledgeable

about apraxia? (If your child wasn't diagnosed by an occupational

therapist as well and professionals suspect apraxia -I highly

recommend you request that too either through both the school as

well as private through insurance for many reasons)

To answer any questions you may have about taking your child to see a

neurodevelopmental MD if he has not yet been to one and apraxia is

suspected... in one word - " Yes!!! " I would have your child diagnosed

(private) by a neurodevelopmental medical doctor (developmental

pediatrician or pediatric neurologist) who is knowledgeable about

apraxia and other neurologically based multi-faceted communication

impairments for numerous reasons. Reasons include (but not limited

to)

*having a " hero " on the outside of the school who can assist in a

therapeutic plan and oversee your child's development over the years

*advocacy support with the insurance company

* ruling out or confirming any neurological soft signs or any other

reasons for the delay in speech

*help those that ask " why isn't he talking yet " understand this is a

medical condition -and has nothing to do with your child's cognitive

ability. (if in your child's case it doesn't. Apraxia in itself

does not affect a child's cognitive ability -and speaking early or

late is no indication of a child's intelligence. Also contrary to

popular belief -most who have speech impairments have average to

above average intelligence)

Here's an article written by Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician Dr.

Marilyn Agin that was featured as a cover article in Contemporary

Pediatrics -a trade magazine for hundreds of thousands of pediatric

medical professionals across the US. (I wrote the parent guide)

" The " late talker " -when silence isn't golden

Not all children with delayed speech are " little Einsteins " or garden

variety " late bloomers. " Some have a speech-language disorder that

will persist unless warning signs are recognized and intervention

comes early. Includes a Guide for Parents. "

Podcast interview with Dr. Marilyn Agin from Contemporary Pediatrics

http://contemporarypediatrics.modernmedicine.com/radio_peds4

Actual article (where you can read it for free)

http://opsc.mediwire.com/main/Default.aspx?P=Content & ArticleID=132720

There are also many activities parents can do at home with their

child to

promote the development of speech. These are detailed in the Guide

for Parents

http://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/contpeds/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=1363\

\

15.

This guide was written by

[Guest guest]

It seems like none of the doctors are expensive when we first hear about them...

Well the other way to look at it is to keep in mind that a neurodevelopmental

medical exam and evaluation is still less expensive than a special ed attorney

in helping you to secure appropriate services at school. And with from what I

hear around 40 to 50 percent of kids with apraxia being misdiagnosed as autistic

and getting the wrong therapies -it is priceless to find that professional in

your area that is knowledgeable about both autism as well as other impairments

of communication. (read Mel's story at http://www.pursuitofresearch.org under

blogs) I know Barbara who runs Help Me Speak in land just called me

and told to suggest parents looking for professionals to put their states

because the professionals that are in this group may have recommendations. And

also those of us as parents can recommend as well.

But who's not expensive today can be tomorrow. And if they are that

good...probably.

Have to run to a Christmas Party -hope all you getting all that snow are having

fun with it!!

=====

[Guest guest]

First, I just want to thank you so much for the amazing response to my email.

I'm going to have to comb through everything carefully. I am going to start my

son on fish oil and was reading a bunch of the posts. So, I just want to

confirm; ProEFA is the same as omega3-6-9? Because I bought the omega 3-6-9 at

the store because I couldn't find the ProEFA. Then I ordered it online. And

secondly, my son is 2 years 3 months. Should I start him on one or two capsules

of the ProEFA and should I also add in one capsule of the ProEPA? Any

advice/experience would help. My pediatrician doesn't have any real advice about

this.

Thanks so much,

Aliza

>

> Aliza I don't care for the diagnosis of delayed " language " disorder for a two

year old! I mean it's clear he has delayed speech but you don't provide enough

in the way of symptoms to know if it's a simple delay or a disorder.

>

> Have you read The Late Talker book? If not that would probably be a great

start point -but you can also take a look at this

> http://www.cherab.org/information/latetalkerhandout.html

>

> Below is a " newly diagnosed with apraxia " message from our

http://www.apraxia.org facebook page Under the discussion board at this page

you'll also find plenty of newbie info including information on the oils.

>

> Dr. Agin was my son Tanner's developmental pediatrician and I highly recommend

her. I've also heard wonderful things about Dr. Abba Cargan who is a pediatric

neurologist in the NY/NJ area as well. I'm sure if you post what state you are

in you may get other suggestions. And on another note I am not at all a fan of

trying GFCF diets unless your child needs one. There is no proof from this

group that a child needs to be put on a restrictive diet and as a child that had

to grow up on such a diet please take that into consideration as well as I

remember how much I hated that diet even though I was one of the few that

actually needed to be on it to live. I'm all for organic as possible, healthy

as possible...but special diets when not needed? This fad came out a few years

ago with the autism groups and if you check the archives or join a local support

group you'll find that these diets are needed when they are needed. Fish oils

on the other hand -YES!!!!!

>

> Here's the archive from the apraxia.org page:

>

> The overwhelming majority (if you check the archives) have success

> with the basic approach to apraxia.

>

> On the other hand- most of us are dealing with more than verbal

> apraxia. We just don't know that when our child is 2 -and we learn

> through professionals and observations as they continue to grow and

> more and more is expected of them. This is also why it's important

> to take your child for a neurodevelopmental medical exam when your

> child is suspected of apraxia to confirm or rule out other diagnosis

> such as sensory integration dysfunction etc. The earlier you know -

> the sooner to start appropriate therapies to get them up to speed by

> kindergarten.

>

> Don't let it overwhelm you -perhaps we aren't meant to know more

> than what we have to know at each stage. We'll be here to help along

> the way. It's OK to have any type of emotion when we find out our

> child has more than a simple delay -or " more " than " just " verbal

> apraxia. And it's OK to be completely overwhelmed and saddened to

> find out your child has apraxia. And as I was one of those parents

> it's never " just " apraxia when you find out!!!

>

> It's OK to be upset " just " because your child is a " late talker " too!

>

> Please know that I too believed my son Tanner to just have apraxia,.but down

the

> road found out he had a few other things we needed to help him

> address. The incredible news is that the majority of our children if

> you check history are up to speed to be mainstreamed by kindergarten-

> and of course many have learned with communication impaired children

> that it's best to start kindergarten at 6 vs. 5 to give them that one

> extra year of therapy and developmental time.

>

> If you have questions after reading the following please share them.

> This group has always been a wealth of information for all of us, no

> matter how long we've been here.

>

> Below is a new member archived message to hopefully answer more of

> your questions for now (did you read The Late Talker yet?) For updated

> information on fish oils and vitamin E and more - please visit the

> links section here

> /links

>

> What type of apraxic like speech behaviors are you seeing that makes

> you and the SLP suspect your child has apraxia vs. a simple delay in

> speech? Is your child talking at all yet? At your child's age -

> without speech, it's difficult to diagnose verbal apraxia -they

> could " suspect " verbal apraxia and begin treatment just in case,

> which wouldn't hurt your child if he ended up just having a simple

> delay. Just a few questions before we could provide more accurate

> answers:

>

> Does your child have signs of oral apraxia? (for example, can he on

> command smile, imitate funny faces, blow bubbles...if you put peanut

> butter anywhere around his mouth can he lick it off no matter where

> it is?)

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

>

> Does your child have any neurological " soft signs " such as hypotonia

> or sensory integration dysfunction?

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

>

> Who else evaluated your child? Was it only the SLP through your

> town school or was he also in Early Intervention through the state?

> (birth to three) Was he evaluated by both a speech pathologist as

> well as an occupational therapist? Was/were they knowledgeable

> about apraxia? (If your child wasn't diagnosed by an occupational

> therapist as well and professionals suspect apraxia -I highly

> recommend you request that too either through both the school as

> well as private through insurance for many reasons)

>

> To answer any questions you may have about taking your child to see a

> neurodevelopmental MD if he has not yet been to one and apraxia is

> suspected... in one word - " Yes!!! " I would have your child diagnosed

> (private) by a neurodevelopmental medical doctor (developmental

> pediatrician or pediatric neurologist) who is knowledgeable about

> apraxia and other neurologically based multi-faceted communication

> impairments for numerous reasons. Reasons include (but not limited

> to)

>

> *having a " hero " on the outside of the school who can assist in a

> therapeutic plan and oversee your child's development over the years

> *advocacy support with the insurance company

> * ruling out or confirming any neurological soft signs or any other

> reasons for the delay in speech

> *help those that ask " why isn't he talking yet " understand this is a

> medical condition -and has nothing to do with your child's cognitive

> ability. (if in your child's case it doesn't. Apraxia in itself

> does not affect a child's cognitive ability -and speaking early or

> late is no indication of a child's intelligence. Also contrary to

> popular belief -most who have speech impairments have average to

> above average intelligence)

>

> Here's an article written by Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician Dr.

> Marilyn Agin that was featured as a cover article in Contemporary

> Pediatrics -a trade magazine for hundreds of thousands of pediatric

> medical professionals across the US. (I wrote the parent guide)

>

> " The " late talker " -when silence isn't golden

> Not all children with delayed speech are " little Einsteins " or garden

> variety " late bloomers. " Some have a speech-language disorder that

> will persist unless warning signs are recognized and intervention

> comes early. Includes a Guide for Parents. "

>

> Podcast interview with Dr. Marilyn Agin from Contemporary Pediatrics

> http://contemporarypediatrics.modernmedicine.com/radio_peds4

>

> Actual article (where you can read it for free)

>

> http://opsc.mediwire.com/main/Default.aspx?P=Content & ArticleID=132720

>

> There are also many activities parents can do at home with their

> child to

> promote the development of speech. These are detailed in the Guide

> for Parents

>

http://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/contpeds/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=1363\

\

> 15.

>

> This guide was written by

[Guest guest]

aliza,  yes the proefa is the same thing.  so start with 2 of those, then add

1 gelcap of the proEPA.  you should be good to go!!!

________________________________

From: aliza3000 <aliza3000@...>

Sent: Mon, December 21, 2009 8:49:31 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: I'm so confused....help!

 

First, I just want to thank you so much for the amazing response to my email.

I'm going to have to comb through everything carefully. I am going to start my

son on fish oil and was reading a bunch of the posts. So, I just want to

confirm; ProEFA is the same as omega3-6-9? Because I bought the omega 3-6-9 at

the store because I couldn't find the ProEFA. Then I ordered it online. And

secondly, my son is 2 years 3 months. Should I start him on one or two capsules

of the ProEFA and should I also add in one capsule of the ProEPA? Any

advice/experience would help. My pediatrician doesn't have any real advice about

this.

Thanks so much,

Aliza

>

> Aliza I don't care for the diagnosis of delayed " language " disorder for a two

year old! I mean it's clear he has delayed speech but you don't provide enough

in the way of symptoms to know if it's a simple delay or a disorder.

>

> Have you read The Late Talker book? If not that would probably be a great

start point -but you can also take a look at this

> http://www.cherab. org/information/ latetalkerhandou t.html

>

> Below is a " newly diagnosed with apraxia " message from our http://www.apraxia.

org facebook page Under the discussion board at this page you'll also find

plenty of newbie info including information on the oils.

>

> Dr. Agin was my son Tanner's developmental pediatrician and I highly recommend

her. I've also heard wonderful things about Dr. Abba Cargan who is a pediatric

neurologist in the NY/NJ area as well. I'm sure if you post what state you are

in you may get other suggestions. And on another note I am not at all a fan of

trying GFCF diets unless your child needs one. There is no proof from this group

that a child needs to be put on a restrictive diet and as a child that had to

grow up on such a diet please take that into consideration as well as I remember

how much I hated that diet even though I was one of the few that actually needed

to be on it to live. I'm all for organic as possible, healthy as possible...but

special diets when not needed? This fad came out a few years ago with the autism

groups and if you check the archives or join a local support group you'll find

that these diets are needed when they are needed. Fish oils on the other hand

-YES!!!!!

>

> Here's the archive from the apraxia.org page:

>

> The overwhelming majority (if you check the archives) have success

> with the basic approach to apraxia.

>

> On the other hand- most of us are dealing with more than verbal

> apraxia. We just don't know that when our child is 2 -and we learn

> through professionals and observations as they continue to grow and

> more and more is expected of them. This is also why it's important

> to take your child for a neurodevelopmental medical exam when your

> child is suspected of apraxia to confirm or rule out other diagnosis

> such as sensory integration dysfunction etc. The earlier you know -

> the sooner to start appropriate therapies to get them up to speed by

> kindergarten.

>

> Don't let it overwhelm you -perhaps we aren't meant to know more

> than what we have to know at each stage. We'll be here to help along

> the way. It's OK to have any type of emotion when we find out our

> child has more than a simple delay -or " more " than " just " verbal

> apraxia. And it's OK to be completely overwhelmed and saddened to

> find out your child has apraxia. And as I was one of those parents

> it's never " just " apraxia when you find out!!!

>

> It's OK to be upset " just " because your child is a " late talker " too!

>

> Please know that I too believed my son Tanner to just have apraxia,.but down

the

> road found out he had a few other things we needed to help him

> address. The incredible news is that the majority of our children if

> you check history are up to speed to be mainstreamed by kindergarten-

> and of course many have learned with communication impaired children

> that it's best to start kindergarten at 6 vs. 5 to give them that one

> extra year of therapy and developmental time.

>

> If you have questions after reading the following please share them.

> This group has always been a wealth of information for all of us, no

> matter how long we've been here.

>

> Below is a new member archived message to hopefully answer more of

> your questions for now (did you read The Late Talker yet?) For updated

> information on fish oils and vitamin E and more - please visit the

> links section here

> http://health. groups.. com/group/ childrensapraxia net/links

>

> What type of apraxic like speech behaviors are you seeing that makes

> you and the SLP suspect your child has apraxia vs. a simple delay in

> speech? Is your child talking at all yet? At your child's age -

> without speech, it's difficult to diagnose verbal apraxia -they

> could " suspect " verbal apraxia and begin treatment just in case,

> which wouldn't hurt your child if he ended up just having a simple

> delay. Just a few questions before we could provide more accurate

> answers:

>

> Does your child have signs of oral apraxia? (for example, can he on

> command smile, imitate funny faces, blow bubbles...if you put peanut

> butter anywhere around his mouth can he lick it off no matter where

> it is?)

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

>

> Does your child have any neurological " soft signs " such as hypotonia

> or sensory integration dysfunction?

> http://www.cherab. org/information/ speechlanguage/ parentfriendlyso

ftsigns.html

>

> Who else evaluated your child? Was it only the SLP through your

> town school or was he also in Early Intervention through the state?

> (birth to three) Was he evaluated by both a speech pathologist as

> well as an occupational therapist? Was/were they knowledgeable

> about apraxia? (If your child wasn't diagnosed by an occupational

> therapist as well and professionals suspect apraxia -I highly

> recommend you request that too either through both the school as

> well as private through insurance for many reasons)

>

> To answer any questions you may have about taking your child to see a

> neurodevelopmental MD if he has not yet been to one and apraxia is

> suspected... in one word - " Yes!!! " I would have your child diagnosed

> (private) by a neurodevelopmental medical doctor (developmental

> pediatrician or pediatric neurologist) who is knowledgeable about

> apraxia and other neurologically based multi-faceted communication

> impairments for numerous reasons. Reasons include (but not limited

> to)

>

> *having a " hero " on the outside of the school who can assist in a

> therapeutic plan and oversee your child's development over the years

> *advocacy support with the insurance company

> * ruling out or confirming any neurological soft signs or any other

> reasons for the delay in speech

> *help those that ask " why isn't he talking yet " understand this is a

> medical condition -and has nothing to do with your child's cognitive

> ability. (if in your child's case it doesn't. Apraxia in itself

> does not affect a child's cognitive ability -and speaking early or

> late is no indication of a child's intelligence. Also contrary to

> popular belief -most who have speech impairments have average to

> above average intelligence)

>

> Here's an article written by Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician Dr.

> Marilyn Agin that was featured as a cover article in Contemporary

> Pediatrics -a trade magazine for hundreds of thousands of pediatric

> medical professionals across the US. (I wrote the parent guide)

>

> " The " late talker " -when silence isn't golden

> Not all children with delayed speech are " little Einsteins " or garden

> variety " late bloomers. " Some have a speech-language disorder that

> will persist unless warning signs are recognized and intervention

> comes early. Includes a Guide for Parents. "

>

> Podcast interview with Dr. Marilyn Agin from Contemporary Pediatrics

> http://contemporary pediatrics. modernmedicine. com/radio_ peds4

>

> Actual article (where you can read it for free)

>

> http://opsc. mediwire. com/main/ Default.aspx? P=Content & ArticleID= 132720

>

> There are also many activities parents can do at home with their

> child to

> promote the development of speech. These are detailed in the Guide

> for Parents

> http://www.contempo rarypediatrics. com/contpeds/ article/articleD etail.jsp?

id=1363\

> 15.

>

> This guide was written by