apraxia but PROMPT not working?

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I've been posting a lot on here recently but as a quick recap my daughter just

turned 3 and has global delays, dyspraxia, sensory processing issues. Although

she has the dyspraxia diagnosis she has no apraxia diagnosis. She has global

delays so it may be a cognitive thing, but I also think there is a lot of motor

planning issues going on with her. She is very inconsistent, both in her motor

and her speech. She may imitate a movement one minute and not be able to the

next. She may say one work easily one minute and the other minute can't. She

is VERY vocal and can make some very difficult sounds when playing, but it's all

gibberish and she can't do it on command.

We switched to a PROMPT trained therapist in EI and it didn't go so well. She

shut down for the therapist. She now has a PROMPT trained therapist through the

school district and they don't even use it on her because again, she shuts down.

She does much better in play settings, much more vocal and much more likely to

imitate. Once she gets around the PROMPT method it's like she feels pressure,

and she gets quiet. She's better when the words and movement just flow

naturally. So I am wondering, could this still be apraxia? If a child responds

better to play therapy than PROMPT therapy, can it still be apraxia? It seems

like PROMPT is the gold standard for apraxia but it does not work at all on my

daughter, so I am wondering if that's because apraxia is not what she has? Any

thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

What do you mean by shutting down?  Is she defensive to touch?  Are they

trying to use PROMPT through play or is mostly drill work? Lori

 

Lori Melnitsky, MA CCC-SLP

Executive Director, All Island Speech Therapy

The Center For Stuttering Therapy & Communication Disorders

STUTTERING SPECIALIST

PROMPT CERTIFIED

Founder- Long Island Stuttering Connection Practice Groups

516-776-0184

Plainview, NY 11803

****You can now access my blog directly at:

www.allislandspeech.com 

 

 

" Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission " -Eleonor Roosevelt

 

From: nelianoonsi <nelia_nunes@...>

Subject: [ ] apraxia but PROMPT not working?

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:21 PM

 

Hi everyone,

I've been posting a lot on here recently but as a quick recap my daughter just

turned 3 and has global delays, dyspraxia, sensory processing issues. Although

she has the dyspraxia diagnosis she has no apraxia diagnosis. She has global

delays so it may be a cognitive thing, but I also think there is a lot of motor

planning issues going on with her. She is very inconsistent, both in her motor

and her speech. She may imitate a movement one minute and not be able to the

next. She may say one work easily one minute and the other minute can't. She is

VERY vocal and can make some very difficult sounds when playing, but it's all

gibberish and she can't do it on command.

We switched to a PROMPT trained therapist in EI and it didn't go so well. She

shut down for the therapist. She now has a PROMPT trained therapist through the

school district and they don't even use it on her because again, she shuts down.

She does much better in play settings, much more vocal and much more likely to

imitate. Once she gets around the PROMPT method it's like she feels pressure,

and she gets quiet. She's better when the words and movement just flow

naturally. So I am wondering, could this still be apraxia? If a child responds

better to play therapy than PROMPT therapy, can it still be apraxia? It seems

like PROMPT is the gold standard for apraxia but it does not work at all on my

daughter, so I am wondering if that's because apraxia is not what she has? Any

thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

By " shut down " I mean that she gets really quiet and won't interact.

She puts her fingers in her mouth and tunes out the therapist or just

invites her. Yes, she is sensory defensive. The therapist tried to do

it through play but my daughter never really connected with her. She

moved way too fast for my daughter even though she called it " play " .

As far as her new therapist, she doesn't seem to think sabrina

responds well to it, either. Perhaps it is because doesn't

want them touching her mouth... She shuts down when I do that

sometimes, and she of course feels much more comfortable with me...

Nelia

On Jan 23, 2010, at 9:35 PM, Lori Melnitsky <lmelnitsky@...>

wrote:

> What do you mean by shutting down? Is she defensive to touch? Are

> they trying to use PROMPT through play or is mostly drill work? Lori

>

>

> Lori Melnitsky, MA CCC-SLP

> Executive Director, All Island Speech Therapy

> The Center For Stuttering Therapy & Communication Disorders

> STUTTERING SPECIALIST

> PROMPT CERTIFIED

> Founder- Long Island Stuttering Connection Practice Groups

> 516-776-0184

> Plainview, NY 11803

> ****You can now access my blog directly at:

> www.allislandspeech.com

>

>

> " Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission " -Eleonor

> Roosevelt

>

>

>

>

> From: nelianoonsi <nelia_nunes@...>

> Subject: [ ] apraxia but PROMPT not working?

>

> Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:21 PM

>

>

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I've been posting a lot on here recently but as a quick recap my

> daughter just turned 3 and has global delays, dyspraxia, sensory

> processing issues. Although she has the dyspraxia diagnosis she has

> no apraxia diagnosis. She has global delays so it may be a cognitive

> thing, but I also think there is a lot of motor planning issues

> going on with her. She is very inconsistent, both in her motor and

> her speech. She may imitate a movement one minute and not be able to

> the next. She may say one work easily one minute and the other

> minute can't. She is VERY vocal and can make some very difficult

> sounds when playing, but it's all gibberish and she can't do it on

> command.

>

> We switched to a PROMPT trained therapist in EI and it didn't go so

> well. She shut down for the therapist. She now has a PROMPT trained

> therapist through the school district and they don't even use it on

> her because again, she shuts down. She does much better in play

> settings, much more vocal and much more likely to imitate. Once she

> gets around the PROMPT method it's like she feels pressure, and she

> gets quiet. She's better when the words and movement just flow

> naturally. So I am wondering, could this still be apraxia? If a

> child responds better to play therapy than PROMPT therapy, can it

> still be apraxia? It seems like PROMPT is the gold standard for

> apraxia but it does not work at all on my daughter, so I am

> wondering if that's because apraxia is not what she has? Any

> thoughts on this?

>

> Thanks!

>

>

[Guest guest]

I meant to say that she tunes out the therapist or just IGNORES her,

not invites.

Nelia

On Jan 23, 2010, at 9:53 PM, Nelia Nunes <nelia_nunes@...>

wrote:

> By " shut down " I mean that she gets really quiet and won't interact.

> She puts her fingers in her mouth and tunes out the therapist or

> just invites her. Yes, she is sensory defensive. The therapist tried

> to do it through play but my daughter never really connected with

> her. She moved way too fast for my daughter even though she called

> it " play " . As far as her new therapist, she doesn't seem to think

> sabrina responds well to it, either. Perhaps it is because

> doesn't want them touching her mouth... She shuts down when I do

> that sometimes, and she of course feels much more comfortable with

> me...

>

> Nelia

>

> On Jan 23, 2010, at 9:35 PM, Lori Melnitsky <lmelnitsky@...>

> wrote:

>

>> What do you mean by shutting down? Is she defensive to touch? Are

>> they trying to use PROMPT through play or is mostly drill work? Lori

>>

>>

>> Lori Melnitsky, MA CCC-SLP

>> Executive Director, All Island Speech Therapy

>> The Center For Stuttering Therapy & Communication Disorders

>> STUTTERING SPECIALIST

>> PROMPT CERTIFIED

>> Founder- Long Island Stuttering Connection Practice Groups

>> 516-776-0184

>> Plainview, NY 11803

>> ****You can now access my blog directly at:

>> www.allislandspeech.com

>>

>>

>> " Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission " -Eleonor

>> Roosevelt

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> From: nelianoonsi <nelia_nunes@...>

>> Subject: [ ] apraxia but PROMPT not working?

>>

>> Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:21 PM

>>

>>

>>

>> Hi everyone,

>>

>> I've been posting a lot on here recently but as a quick recap my

>> daughter just turned 3 and has global delays, dyspraxia, sensory

>> processing issues. Although she has the dyspraxia diagnosis she has

>> no apraxia diagnosis. She has global delays so it may be a

>> cognitive thing, but I also think there is a lot of motor planning

>> issues going on with her. She is very inconsistent, both in her

>> motor and her speech. She may imitate a movement one minute and not

>> be able to the next. She may say one work easily one minute and the

>> other minute can't. She is VERY vocal and can make some very

>> difficult sounds when playing, but it's all gibberish and she can't

>> do it on command.

>>

>> We switched to a PROMPT trained therapist in EI and it didn't go so

>> well. She shut down for the therapist. She now has a PROMPT trained

>> therapist through the school district and they don't even use it on

>> her because again, she shuts down. She does much better in play

>> settings, much more vocal and much more likely to imitate. Once she

>> gets around the PROMPT method it's like she feels pressure, and she

>> gets quiet. She's better when the words and movement just flow

>> naturally. So I am wondering, could this still be apraxia? If a

>> child responds better to play therapy than PROMPT therapy, can it

>> still be apraxia? It seems like PROMPT is the gold standard for

>> apraxia but it does not work at all on my daughter, so I am

>> wondering if that's because apraxia is not what she has? Any

>> thoughts on this?

>>

>> Thanks!

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Nelia-

It is important to wait until a bond is established before starting prompt. 

Sue described something similar to how I have a child establish trust. 

Someitimes it is too much too soon.  Also, I have found the amount of pressure

provided with promptong coupled with the stablization of the head is ultra

improtant for a child like yours.

 

Lori Melnitsky, MA CCC-SLP

Executive Director, All Island Speech Therapy

The Center For Stuttering Therapy & Communication Disorders

STUTTERING SPECIALIST

PROMPT CERTIFIED

Founder- Long Island Stuttering Connection Practice Groups

516-776-0184

Plainview, NY 11803

****You can now access my blog directly at:

www.allislandspeech.com 

 

 

" Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission " -Eleonor Roosevelt

 

>

> From: nelianoonsi <nelia_nunes@ hotmail.com>

> Subject: [childrensapraxiane t] apraxia but PROMPT not working?

> @groups. com

> Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:21 PM

>

>

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I've been posting a lot on here recently but as a quick recap my

> daughter just turned 3 and has global delays, dyspraxia, sensory

> processing issues. Although she has the dyspraxia diagnosis she has

> no apraxia diagnosis. She has global delays so it may be a cognitive

> thing, but I also think there is a lot of motor planning issues

> going on with her. She is very inconsistent, both in her motor and

> her speech. She may imitate a movement one minute and not be able to

> the next. She may say one work easily one minute and the other

> minute can't. She is VERY vocal and can make some very difficult

> sounds when playing, but it's all gibberish and she can't do it on

> command.

>

> We switched to a PROMPT trained therapist in EI and it didn't go so

> well. She shut down for the therapist. She now has a PROMPT trained

> therapist through the school district and they don't even use it on

> her because again, she shuts down. She does much better in play

> settings, much more vocal and much more likely to imitate. Once she

> gets around the PROMPT method it's like she feels pressure, and she

> gets quiet. She's better when the words and movement just flow

> naturally. So I am wondering, could this still be apraxia? If a

> child responds better to play therapy than PROMPT therapy, can it

> still be apraxia? It seems like PROMPT is the gold standard for

> apraxia but it does not work at all on my daughter, so I am

> wondering if that's because apraxia is not what she has? Any

> thoughts on this?

>

> Thanks!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Nelia,

Ours was like that prior to biomedical interventions--diet/supplements.

Particularly prior to the B12 shots. Their brain is just not interested it

seems--very often the methylation process is impaired and their attention,

focus, as well as ability to stay tuned enough to try to speak--basically the

interest to learn speak was most of the time not there--or she was just not

capable of staying focused. She had sounds---but it was  all scrambled up and

the jargon was uttered for just about everything, rotated periodically----it's

not that she wasn't trying at all---but just couldn't be engaged easily and

everything had to be her way or she threw a HUGE tantrum---eye contact was not

too good even though she was capable and she was NOT ASD---her emotional

connections and desire to play with other children were always

present--and also to be like them, copy what they were doing--save for speech

of course. So we never suspected ASD, but everything was a question  mark back

then when her speech was so deficient--almost non-existent really--and her

behavior seemed so erratic and non-compliant.  She would have easily been

misdiagnosed as ASD--by professionals who don't know apraxia and how much

overlap there can be between these neurological disorders since she also had

soft signs--mild sensory issues, on and off toe walking, upper trunk hypotonia,

and tongue hypotonia--the eye contact problem  and so on.  It is really a

neurological disorder continuum we are dealing with and ASD kids are just more

afected--but this is why all the similarities between symptoms and often the

confusions.  Both apraxia and ASd and all neurological disorders really have an

underlying metabolic cause---nothing is ever just in the brain--unless of course

we're delaing with an external

injury--and even then--there are ways to decrease inflammation and increase

neurological functioning.

Anyway --2 years ago----3 local apraxia " experts " declared they could not work

with her because she was so non-compliant and refused to follow adult directed

instructions.

All that changed with diet supplements---complete turnaround. now she's still

kind of stubborn and insists on control a lot of the times, but after the

intervention protocol

began to give results--she paid attention to her therapists more, and PROMPT

began to work---it was amazing and the number of intelligible words just kept on

rising, first from almost 10-15 to 50  or so in a moth and a half; then about

100--her signing improved, her hypotonia became more apparent and we began OT,

with great results; her groping increased too--she was more interested in

communicating, she was repeating more. i only counted the words she could

spontaneously produce though--and there was still a lot of inconsistency but her

vocabulary was jumping to over a few hundred words in just 6 months; them more

and more words and after almost a year when she reached over 2000 we stopped

counting, focused more on sentences and her ability to communicate more complex

ideas, negotiate. Tantrums decreased immensely and we started to discover who

our little girl was. She's a bit of a drama queen and likes attention, loves to

make jokes and tease us,

tell others what to do... So amazing!----but the PROMPT alone could not have

cut it--no therapy can when their brain is chemically unbalanced.  Impaired

methylation is very common in kids with neurological disorders---as are impaired

detoxification and autoimmune/neurological reactions --rqead inflammation--to

certain foods--proteins especially--gluten gliadines and casein are the msot

common--but for others it can also be the corn and the soy that begins to slurr

their speech etc. 

Anyway, biomed and intensive therapy have brought her to mainstream kindergarten

where she is thriving, and we're now discovering the language problems we need

to work on since her speech enables her to say so much we can see she's omitting

articles, pronouns, using verb tenses inappropriately, etc.  So there's a lot of

work left ahead, but she's come from severe apraxia where she could barely say

mama at 3.5 --not always and not consistently and not

at will even though her " ma " syllable was clear --but she couldn't put another

one next to it--her speech motor planning was completly off--so she's now

moderate to mild apraxic--depedns how familiar she is with the words and

peaople---at times you can almost say she's neurotypical speech wise--but other

times she still distorts and has obvious language and speech deficits.  Long

road ahead still---but we have come so far--we thought she'd never speak.

I am telling you, these kids ahve obvious metabolic processign problems and you

need a biomedically trained pediatrician to work with you on this to figure out

exactly where the breakdown occurs.  We ahd been giving fish oil since

birth--but her fatty acid profile was all over the place and she had great

deficiencies because her body couldn't use it without the vitamin E, the

carnitine and others.  Absorption at cellular level was not happening, her gut

was impaired too--intestinal

permeability predisposed her to viruses/bacteria/parasites--we had two rounds

of those microscopic ones --all peopel with impaired immune systems are more

vulnerable to opportunistic infections and these further feed the malabsorptions

and deficiencies cycle.  These kids are lacking vital brain nutrients and suffer

from chronic inflammation in various organs. Some present with insulin problems,

others subtle thyroid dysfunction. Her ADHD symptoms are now becoming more

apparent and we need to see how we can best address those with

nutrition/supplements and accommodations.  It's always a struggle--we're

constantly tweaking the protocol as new tests and symptoms lead us to consider

other supplements and see if they are improving her abilities or not----but

we're on the right track now. let me know if you ahve any questions.

Elena

>>

>> From: nelianoonsi <nelia_nunes@...>

>> Subject: [ ] apraxia but PROMPT not working?

>>

>> Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:21 PM

>>

>>

>>

>> Hi everyone,

>>

>> I've been posting a lot on here recently but as a quick recap my 

>> daughter just turned 3 and has global delays, dyspraxia, sensory 

>> processing issues. Although she has the dyspraxia diagnosis she has 

>> no apraxia diagnosis. She has global delays so it may be a 

>> cognitive thing, but I also think there is a lot of motor planning 

>> issues going on with her. She is very inconsistent, both in her 

>>

motor and her speech. She may imitate a movement one minute and not 

>> be able to the next. She may say one work easily one minute and the 

>> other minute can't. She is VERY vocal and can make some very 

>> difficult sounds when playing, but it's all gibberish and she can't 

>> do it on command.

>>

>> We switched to a PROMPT trained therapist in EI and it didn't go so 

>> well. She shut down for the therapist. She now has a PROMPT trained 

>> therapist through the school district and they don't even use it on 

>> her because again, she shuts down. She does much better in play 

>> settings, much more vocal and much more likely to imitate. Once she 

>> gets around the PROMPT method it's like she feels pressure, and she 

>> gets quiet. She's better when the words and movement just

flow 

>> naturally. So I am wondering, could this still be apraxia? If a 

>> child responds better to play therapy than PROMPT therapy, can it 

>> still be apraxia? It seems like PROMPT is the gold standard for 

>> apraxia but it does not work at all on my daughter, so I am 

>> wondering if that's because apraxia is not what she has? Any 

>> thoughts on this?

>>

>> Thanks!

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

oh, and yes, my daughter wouldn't let her first PROMPT therapist get near her

either.  All that changed too with--diet/supplements....

Elena

>

> From: nelianoonsi <nelia_nunes@...>

> Subject: [ ] apraxia but PROMPT not working?

>

> Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:21 PM

>

>

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I've been posting a lot on here recently but as a quick recap my 

> daughter just turned 3 and has global delays, dyspraxia, sensory 

> processing issues. Although she has the dyspraxia diagnosis she has 

> no apraxia diagnosis. She has global delays so it may be a cognitive 

> thing, but I also think there is a lot of motor planning issues 

> going on with her. She is very inconsistent, both in her motor and 

> her speech. She may imitate a movement one minute and not be able to 

> the next. She may say one work easily one minute and the other 

> minute can't. She is VERY vocal and can make some very difficult 

> sounds when playing, but it's all gibberish and she can't do it on 

> command.

>

> We switched to a PROMPT trained therapist in EI and it didn't go so 

> well. She shut down for the therapist. She now has a PROMPT trained 

> therapist through the school district and they don't even use it on 

> her because again, she shuts down. She does much better in play 

> settings, much more vocal and much more likely to imitate. Once she 

> gets around the PROMPT method it's like she feels pressure, and she 

> gets quiet. She's better when the words and movement just flow 

> naturally. So I am wondering, could this still be apraxia? If a 

> child responds better to play therapy than PROMPT therapy, can it 

> still be apraxia? It seems like PROMPT is the gold standard for 

> apraxia but it does not work at all on my daughter, so I am 

> wondering if that's because apraxia is not what she has? Any 

> thoughts on this?

>

> Thanks!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Elena,

Your information about biomed is verh helpful!! Can you tell me whar type of

doctor's do the biomed evaluations? Does anyone have any recommendations for a

good doc on the west coast or Boston area! We live on the west coast but go to

Boston frequently!

Thank you!!

Jen

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

[Guest guest]

There could be more than one reason why your child is shutting down for the

Prompt therapists (both right?) and not other therapists...but the most logical

is that since she shuts down even when YOU touch her mouth (and there is great

trust between mom and child) logically this is a sensory issue.

Yes Prompt is a wonderful therapy for apraxia, but until you address her sensory

issues, which would include oral motor therapy and therapies with the OT as well

- it would be best to seek an SLP who is trained in Prompt but in other methods

to address motor planning impairments as well so that the Prompt can be

introduced bit by bit rather than it being a Prompt therapy session. That's my

opinion and I always sought out SLPs that can as I put it " pull more than one

method from their bag of tricks as needed "

And in my opinion in regards to therapy for preschool children...it should

ALWAYS be play based to some extent! I know some SLPs treat the little ones

like little adults and sit them at desks with black and white images...eeek I'd

run screaming with my child in the other direction. On the other hand you don't

want it just to be play -you want to make sure that while they are " playing "

serious therapy is taking place.

One of Tanner's favorite games (and there were many) was this tennis ball that

his SLP Ortega painted a face on. I can't remember exactly how she

used it with the marbles but think every time he did or said something she

wanted he'd get feed a marble to the tennis ball by putting it in the tennis

ball's " mouth " . When they were done the tennis ball would throw up (she'd let

Tanner squeeze the ball and the marbles would come out of the " mouth " ) and they

would make the sound " bleh " or something and Tanner would laugh!

always had the most amazing toys, games, whistles- and she taught me

not to overlook " normal " toys to help stimulate speech at home. I really

enjoyed observing therapy so that I could carry over what she was doing at home.

Your child should think of his SLP as his " friend " and enjoy at least most days

going to therapy. They all have off days of course and if they do here and

there -I think it's OK for them to skip it rather than force it. I never forced

my kids when little to go to therapy -and we were fortunate in that my boys both

always loved their SLPs (and Tanner loved his OTs and his private PT and his

alternative therapists as well)

As I was told years ago -children with apraxia have a long road to hoe with

therapy -you don't want to burn them out in preschool!

=====

[Guest guest]

Well said !

Yes, as an SLP w/19yrs experience, before I use PROMPT, Beckman stretches,

Talk Tools hierarchies or anything else that involves me touching my

client's mouth, I gain their permission first. No, I don't verbally " ask "

my young kids IF I can touch their mouths. I play with them and establish

rapport first---in doing so I am getting their permission. As said,

they should feel comfortable and LOVE therapy. I ALWAYS have a plan for

therapy but am very flexible in my approach. If a child wants to play a

different game, ok, or if he/she wants to change the order of the schedule,

I can make it work. I have a " bag of tricks " based on my various specialty

trainings and 19 years of experience but also want the child to feel as if

he/she is leading the therapy. In reality, I am directing them in the

activities that need to be targeted. Therapy needs to be fun and play.

Whether we are sitting at the table or on the floor, it is FUN in my clinic!

We are playing. J As part of establishing rapport, I also establish

structure at the start of therapy---as Covey says " Begin with the end

in mind " ---or begin as you want therapy to continue. An SLP can't allow the

client to run around the room and not accomplish anything, BUT a lot can be

achieved via play on the platform swing, in the ball pit, on the trampoline,

etc.-or playing w/toys, etc.

When I am starting Beckman str or PROMPT, I have a way of slowing

introducing my touch to a child and then respecting his/her limits. I NEVER

force anything into a child's mouth or on his/her face. Sensory systems

vary from day to day and even w/in the same session. It's impt to find an

SLP w/whom your child can connect AND who is trained in the specialties you

need.

Warmest wishes,

Barbara

Barbara A. , M.S., CCC-SLP

Executive Director/ Help Me Speak, LLC

<http://www.helpmespeak.com/> http://www.helpmespeak.com

(o) 410-442-9791 (f) 410-442-9783

2500 Wallington Way; Suite 103

Marriottsville, MD 21104

follow us on FaceBook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marriottsville-MD/Help-Me-Speak-LLC/1046288520

32

Call me with any questions about NutriiVeda!

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of kiddietalk

Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 4:20 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: apraxia but PROMPT not working?

There could be more than one reason why your child is shutting down for the

Prompt therapists (both right?) and not other therapists...but the most

logical is that since she shuts down even when YOU touch her mouth (and

there is great trust between mom and child) logically this is a sensory

issue.

Yes Prompt is a wonderful therapy for apraxia, but until you address her

sensory issues, which would include oral motor therapy and therapies with

the OT as well - it would be best to seek an SLP who is trained in Prompt

but in other methods to address motor planning impairments as well so that

the Prompt can be introduced bit by bit rather than it being a Prompt

therapy session. That's my opinion and I always sought out SLPs that can as

I put it " pull more than one method from their bag of tricks as needed "

And in my opinion in regards to therapy for preschool children...it should

ALWAYS be play based to some extent! I know some SLPs treat the little ones

like little adults and sit them at desks with black and white images...eeek

I'd run screaming with my child in the other direction. On the other hand

you don't want it just to be play -you want to make sure that while they are

" playing " serious therapy is taking place.

One of Tanner's favorite games (and there were many) was this tennis ball

that his SLP Ortega painted a face on. I can't remember exactly how

she used it with the marbles but think every time he did or said something

she wanted he'd get feed a marble to the tennis ball by putting it in the

tennis ball's " mouth " . When they were done the tennis ball would throw up

(she'd let Tanner squeeze the ball and the marbles would come out of the

" mouth " ) and they would make the sound " bleh " or something and Tanner would

laugh!

always had the most amazing toys, games, whistles- and she taught

me not to overlook " normal " toys to help stimulate speech at home. I really

enjoyed observing therapy so that I could carry over what she was doing at

home.

Your child should think of his SLP as his " friend " and enjoy at least most

days going to therapy. They all have off days of course and if they do here

and there -I think it's OK for them to skip it rather than force it. I never

forced my kids when little to go to therapy -and we were fortunate in that

my boys both always loved their SLPs (and Tanner loved his OTs and his

private PT and his alternative therapists as well)

As I was told years ago -children with apraxia have a long road to hoe with

therapy -you don't want to burn them out in preschool!

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[Guest guest]

Thank you everyone for your responses.

My daughter does shut down for some therapists, not just those who do PROMPT.

The ones that she does best with do more of the Floortime approach (which right

now is the #1 method that can get her vocal). She is very good at figuring out

when she's being pushed to do something, even if it's guised under " play " . I

think that she is a child that just really really needs to feel that connection.

We'll see how it goes with this new therapist through the school district. She

is taking it slow with and giving her some time to feel comfortable

before she gets near her mouth. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

>

> There could be more than one reason why your child is shutting down for the

Prompt therapists (both right?) and not other therapists...but the most logical

is that since she shuts down even when YOU touch her mouth (and there is great

trust between mom and child) logically this is a sensory issue.

>

> Yes Prompt is a wonderful therapy for apraxia, but until you address her

sensory issues, which would include oral motor therapy and therapies with the OT

as well - it would be best to seek an SLP who is trained in Prompt but in other

methods to address motor planning impairments as well so that the Prompt can be

introduced bit by bit rather than it being a Prompt therapy session. That's my

opinion and I always sought out SLPs that can as I put it " pull more than one

method from their bag of tricks as needed "

>

> And in my opinion in regards to therapy for preschool children...it should

ALWAYS be play based to some extent! I know some SLPs treat the little ones

like little adults and sit them at desks with black and white images...eeek I'd

run screaming with my child in the other direction. On the other hand you don't

want it just to be play -you want to make sure that while they are " playing "

serious therapy is taking place.

>

> One of Tanner's favorite games (and there were many) was this tennis ball that

his SLP Ortega painted a face on. I can't remember exactly how she

used it with the marbles but think every time he did or said something she

wanted he'd get feed a marble to the tennis ball by putting it in the tennis

ball's " mouth " . When they were done the tennis ball would throw up (she'd let

Tanner squeeze the ball and the marbles would come out of the " mouth " ) and they

would make the sound " bleh " or something and Tanner would laugh!

>

> always had the most amazing toys, games, whistles- and she taught me

not to overlook " normal " toys to help stimulate speech at home. I really

enjoyed observing therapy so that I could carry over what she was doing at home.

>

> Your child should think of his SLP as his " friend " and enjoy at least most

days going to therapy. They all have off days of course and if they do here and

there -I think it's OK for them to skip it rather than force it. I never forced

my kids when little to go to therapy -and we were fortunate in that my boys both

always loved their SLPs (and Tanner loved his OTs and his private PT and his

alternative therapists as well)

>

>

> As I was told years ago -children with apraxia have a long road to hoe with

therapy -you don't want to burn them out in preschool!

>

> =====

>