Use of Animals during Speech Practice

[Guest guest]

For those of you with younger children with Apraxia-

My Son is 3 years 5 months old. He was diagnosed with Moderate to Severe

Apraxia of Speech last October. There have been many gains with the use of NV

and fish Oils-- but the gains have been very slow. We also have Private ST 3X

per week, in addition to enrollment in a " Special Needs PK " 4X per week for 2.5

hours per day. (I had to fight to obtain 1:1 ST for my Son in this Setting

during his first IEP Meeting).

I noticed that my Son REALLY seems to love our pets..... we used to have 4- one

Yellow Lab who is age 13, and 3 cats. One of these cats is a Siamese named

Simba. Simba is age 12- and he " talks a lot " This is the nature of a Siamese.

Tyler has always seemed to want to " talk more " to this Siamese cat.... and the

cat talked back! Our pets are all getting " up in age " and my dad is very ill.

I did not want my children to feel sad as they experience the inevitable deaths

of the older pets and their Grandpa.... So-- I did something totally crazy.....

I got another pet-- a SAVANNAH kitten! I did my homework- and searched for a

Breed that is vocal, gets along with other pets, and is ok with kids... I also

loved the " exotic nature " of this Breed.... they are Hybrids between an " African

Serval " and a " domestic Cat " .

There is MAGIC going on in this House since the arrival of Bella.... She is VERY

vocal-- and more playful than any other Breed that I have ever experienced as a

cat lover. My Son Tyler loves her-- and she seems to love him. Tyler talks to

her - and she talks back...... it is adorable. We are now conducting Tyler's

" Speech Homework " in our bedroom with Bella present. Tyler seems to be so much

more motivated to " use his words " when Bella is present.

Pets are so good for kids with Special Needs. Kids have such a special bond with

their pets. I would highly suggest 2 Breeds of Cats to all of you for your

kids..... these are cats who are VOCAL-- I feel that the " vocal nature " of these

2 Breeds is helpful to my Son- he loves them- and he WANTS to talk to them--

they talk back-- and always understand what he is saying.... this encourages him

to TALK MORE to them.

1. SIAMESE-- these cats NEVER stop talking..... They are very playful as

kittens.... I have found that the " Apple Head " variety appears to be more mello.

(Apple Heads look more like typical cats and do not have the angular faces). As

they approach being one year old, they tend to bond to ONE person in the

Family-- but they are friendly to everyone else as well. I got my Siamese

before I had kids-- he is an " older cat now " .... he is no longer playful at age

12- but he still seems to have a " Special bond " with Tyler-- he always responds

to Tyler when Tyler speaks to him. He has never acted in an aggressive manner

to either of my kids. This is a Breed that is very Vocal- you can obtain one at

a decent price-- your children will love this " playful vocal breed " .

2. SAVANNAH- OMG - I have owned one for less than a week.... and I am SO

IMPRESSED with her. She is VERY VOCAL and VERY playful and VERY sweet. Tyler

loves her- and she seems to motivate Tyler to " practice his words " . I am

loving every moment of this! Savannahs can be a bit expensive- and many

Breeders take advantage of Pricing . I was lucky- my cousin used to be a

Breeder of " Pixie Bobs " -- and she referred me to her friend who had Savannahs.

I was able to obtain a well socialized F2 Savannah from her without having to

rob a Bank! Bella is very vocal-- and Tyler responds to her playfulness and

vocalizations.

Pets play an important role with our young kids.... I have seen " Pet Therapy " at

work during my past Nursing Job Days. I believe in it.... and I incorporate

pets into my son's Speech Practice throughout the day. I am writing this last

sentence with tears in my eyes. My son spoke his first 4 word sentence to me

tonight as I put him to bed. What he said sounded like this: " UH AHH EW Ma

Ma " ... (I love you Ma Ma).... WOW!

I am not trying to say that having a vocal pet is the answer..... but I will say

that it can help..... We believe in being open to all avenues to help our Son-

NV and Fish Oils have been instrumental in his progress... Our Son actually

requests a " Na Na Ba Ba " ---- (his words for Vanilla flavored NV mixed with

Pediasure)... He used to say " Ba Ba " for a bottle.... he uses the same word for

a " sippy cup " now. He gets 1/2 Scoop of Vanilla Flavored NV 2x per day mixed

with his Pediasure.... He can taste the difference when the NV is not added--

and he yells " Mo Na NA " .... (More Vanilla NV)..... He is a smart kid- he knows

where the NV is stored-- and he drags a chair across our kitchen so that he can

reach it... He wants MORE of it..... A combo of all of the above mentioned

things seems to be helping my Son.... I do feel that pets can help younger

children as well.

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