verbal apraxia/oral apraxia/ProEFA

[Guest guest]

Hi Tracey,

Thank you for writing. I am cc this message to the

CHERAB Foundation listserv because the questions you

pose are ones that others too have written about. I hope

you don't mind.

Let's start with the easier question..and that is if

your child has oral apraxia does he also have verbal

apraxia? More than likely if your son has an oral motor

apraxia (the inability to coordinate and volitionally

control his mouth, lips, jaw and tongue for non-speech

activities) than he also has verbal apraxia

(coordinating these same structures for the production

of speech in communication).

You are also dealing with other issues with you son.

You've described him as having global delays, with

delayed gross and fine motor weaknesses. Adequate breath

support, muscle tone and balance are critical in the

support of speech communication. Generally children

develop strong gross motor skills before they gain

control for speech. Leg and body control, before arm and

hand control before lip and tongue control. Each motor

skill becoming more and more precise and exacting in

their movements.

So let's start with the idea that is crawling to

get around and can play two-handedly with an object

while sitting in a highchair. Can he lick a lollipop or

a Popsicle as a guide/enticer to stick out his tongue?

Will he imitate any sounds, even the Indian " wawawawa "

as you tap his open mouth with you open palm? needs

to start with vowels and then the /m/,/p/,/b/ plus

vowels first, making approximation for words.

Do all kids with verbal apraxia talk to some degree at

the 'normal' age? Not unless they get intensive 1:1

therapy that is especially geared for verbal apraxia.

Traditional articulation therapy is not enough. (You do

realize that you are entitled to at least 2 hours of

speech therapy weekly if medically necessary through

your EIP- Check with your state(MA) as to their

entitlements).

Now for the hard question- TO TAKE PROEFA or NOT? Since

I am not your child's MD I cannot prescribe medication

for RYAN. I would also be more cautious since you know

that had seizures as an infant. We do know what is

in ProEFA. Omega3 and Omega6 fatty acids (Fish oil,

barge oil, and other naturally occurring fatty acids.)

Please go to the Omega3 site noted in the

<www.apraxia.cc> site. There you will find lots of

information and a way to write to MD's about your

concerns and their opinion what to do.

I have to say that I have seen remarkable results with

the ProEFA. But I would not feel right suggesting you

give this to your son knowing only a small bit of his

past medical history. This needs to come from a medical

professional who knows the all of 's strengths and

weaknesses.

I hope this was some help.

Please write again soon if I can assist you again.

Lori Roth, MA, CCC-SLP

CHERAB Foundation

www.apraxia.cc

lorislp@...

973-540-8884