Re: Marie-Delayed Development?

[Guest guest]

Marie,

Hi my name is Traci and I have a daughter (ann,4) who has Apraxia,DSI

and auditory dysfunction. One thing I can tell you that you can do with your

son at home is when he is taking you to what he wants (and here is the hardest

part) he has to tell you what he wants even if it is only one word to describe

it. Even if it is " cookie " or " drink " or " Juice " whatever it is HE has to say

it. You will most likely have to teach him the word as he takes you to the

item and you tell him that " we don't screem in this house, we use words

like..... " and repeat it over and over again a couple of times. Another thing I

learned from over 6 months of speech and OT , with his speech you have to teach

him how to use his tongue,(his tongue is the one muscle in your ds mouth that is

not going to work because of Apraxia). You may have to show him with your

mouth and where your tongue is, I really hope that he has good eye contact and

some attention because that helps. I also try to make a game out of it by

moving my tongue in and out and side to side. One more piece of advise is buy

him

the Leap Frog " Letter " and " Word " factory. Start with the " Letter factory "

because that will teach him the beginning sounds of every letter and that is a

definate start. If you dont already have it they sell them at Sams club

(thats if you have one, depending on where your from) or try at any wal mart.

Believe me making the sounds to the letters of the alphabet is the KEY to these

children forming words, that and a good SLP/OT and EPA/EFA's.

I hope this helps and Best of luck

Traci

[Guest guest]

Traci,

Thanks for the advice .I need to try to get him to say more , he just gets so

frustrated ! Lip closure is very hard for him and he can't blow yet... so I

think diaphram strength is also an issue .

Did you ever do Sign Language ? Does that seem to help at all? I have heard it

affects the same part of the brain as speech and can have a affect on speech

production?

Thanks , Marie

[Guest guest]

FYI: Toys R Us now sells the " Talking Hands " video which teaches

basic signs. We loved the video!

Pam

p.s. Using the platform swings, scooter boards and harmonica really

helped Ian's low-normal truncal tone (which in turn tuned up his

diaphragm).

> Traci,

> Thanks for the advice .I need to try to get him to say more , he

just gets so frustrated ! Lip closure is very hard for him and he

can't blow yet... so I think diaphram strength is also an issue .

> Did you ever do Sign Language ? Does that seem to help at all? I

have heard it affects the same part of the brain as speech and can

have a affect on speech production?

> Thanks , Marie

[Guest guest]

Pam,

That is what I found also. Good advise for you Marie.

LOL

Traci