Re: So VERY confused about my 22month old daughter

[Guest guest]

hi,

My son has apraxia and I have a daughter about the same age as yours, she's

about 19 mos. I worry about her all the time. I fear that she too will have

speech problems. She does pick up ie language. she calls him baba like he

calls her. I get worried too, is she apraxic like him or is she just picking up

his language. I asked my slp aunt if I should stop her from saying the words

that are said wrong, she just said try to give the appropriate model.

when you have a child who has speech problems you;ll always worry if the other

will too. On the good side we;ll know what to do, right?

your not alone

chris

rlill2003 <slill@...> wrote:

Hello everyone,

I'm in a slight depressed state right now because my 22month old

daughter has me a little worried. I have posted here in the past

concerning my 3.7 year old son who does have apraxia and sensory

issues, gross and fine motor. He was diagnosed at 2 and is doing

well with his speech to date. He has a wonderful ST who uses the

Kaufman kits with him and we use them at home as well. He has an OT

eval coming in Aug. Hoping to get some help for those sensory

problems. Looking back, he had all the " typical " red flags for

apraxia so when my daughter was born, I felt I could spot those red

flags early. As she continued to grow, I was releived when she

began babbling, gesturing, and imitating. All things my son never

did as an infant or young toddler. She has been WAY more " vocal "

than he ever was at her age and she doesn't have any of the

other " red flags " such as eating problems, sensory issues (other

than age appropriate ones), not being able to blow bubbles, kissing,

ect. At 18 months I didn't get the " typical " explosion of words

that tends to happen. She did and still does lots of jibber jabber

(her own language it seems). At this time she may have had 5

words/approximations. At 20 months my son's therapist gave her an

evaluation. She scored above her age level in receptive language.

(there is NO doubt in my mind that she understands everything said

to her and then some) She is always in tune of what is being said

around her and she can follow two step directions very well. She

scored about 4 months behind her age in expressive language. My

son's therapist suggested she give me some things to do with her at

home and she would monitor her during my son's break time during his

sessions to see if the explosion of words will come in the next

couple of months. I also began the Kaufman kits with her at home.

My son's therapist suggested that if in a couple of months she

hasn't made much improvement than we could start some therapy to

give her a little " push " She feels she could be a " late talker "

but given her brother's history we definetly want to keep on top of

things. She will be 22 months in a couple of days and she can say

about 10 words/approximations and a couple of two word phrases such

as " my ball " , " what's dis? " , and when I give her something she says

a thank you in her own language and then mama. I am foreseeing some

therapy in the near future.

I have been in " apraxia " world for the past year and a half, have

come to terms with it, and doing all in my power to help my son.

When I read all the charateristics of apraxia there is no doubt my

son fits the diagnosis. I just don't " see " apraxia in my daughter.

Could she be even without those " red flags? " I'm so confused and

scared. If it's not apraxia and she is a " late talker " , what does

that really mean? One day am I going to wake up and she just start

spitting out new words? What else could it be? I've re-read

the " Late Talker " book with a diferent perspective in mind but I'm

still very confused. I honestly don't know much about other

communication disorders.

I started her on ProEFA about a month ago and can't say I've seen

any BIG change. Now that I've said all this I really don't know why

I posted. I know we've all been there thinking someone can give us

a magical answer or solution to our confusion. I know that's not

possible but any encouragement would be definetly appreciated. It's

just so unfair with what is happening to our children and then to

think you could have two babies with a communication problem really

frightens me. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I guess I

just needed to vent my worries. That's what's so wonderful about

this list, you truly listen.

Sincerly,

Robin, Mommy to Cameron 3.7 and Cara 22 months both the LOVEs of my

life!

[Guest guest]

Hi Robin,

I can understand your concern after already having a child with

apraxia. However, I must say your daughter sound pretty typical for

that age. At least compared to other children that I know who are

her age. When I read your post it actually made me very concerned

for my own 22 month old son. He really doesn't put words together.

He also only has about 6-10 words that he uses. I know boys tend to

be later talkers than girls, but now I am concerned. My older son

just turned 4 and has speech apraxia and cerebral palsy.

It sound like your daughter may indeed just be a " late talker " .

There is no definite rule to the exact age that a child will talk.

It doesn't sound like she is very behind. I agree that it is better

to err on the side of caution. So, a little therapy wouldn't hurt,

but it my be that she is focusing more on her physical or fine motor

skills at this time. I have been told by all my son's therapists

that children will usually focus on one area until they master it

and then move on to another area. I hope this helps in some way.

Kelli

> Hello everyone,

> I'm in a slight depressed state right now because my 22month

old

> daughter has me a little worried. I have posted here in the past

> concerning my 3.7 year old son who does have apraxia and sensory

> issues, gross and fine motor. He was diagnosed at 2 and is doing

> well with his speech to date. He has a wonderful ST who uses the

> Kaufman kits with him and we use them at home as well. He has an

OT

> eval coming in Aug. Hoping to get some help for those sensory

> problems. Looking back, he had all the " typical " red flags for

> apraxia so when my daughter was born, I felt I could spot those

red

> flags early. As she continued to grow, I was releived when she

> began babbling, gesturing, and imitating. All things my son never

> did as an infant or young toddler. She has been WAY more " vocal "

> than he ever was at her age and she doesn't have any of the

> other " red flags " such as eating problems, sensory issues (other

> than age appropriate ones), not being able to blow bubbles,

kissing,

> ect. At 18 months I didn't get the " typical " explosion of words

> that tends to happen. She did and still does lots of jibber

jabber

> (her own language it seems). At this time she may have had 5

> words/approximations. At 20 months my son's therapist gave her an

> evaluation. She scored above her age level in receptive

language.

> (there is NO doubt in my mind that she understands everything said

> to her and then some) She is always in tune of what is being said

> around her and she can follow two step directions very well. She

> scored about 4 months behind her age in expressive language. My

> son's therapist suggested she give me some things to do with her

at

> home and she would monitor her during my son's break time during

his

> sessions to see if the explosion of words will come in the next

> couple of months. I also began the Kaufman kits with her at

home.

> My son's therapist suggested that if in a couple of months she

> hasn't made much improvement than we could start some therapy to

> give her a little " push " She feels she could be a " late talker "

> but given her brother's history we definetly want to keep on top

of

> things. She will be 22 months in a couple of days and she can say

> about 10 words/approximations and a couple of two word phrases

such

> as " my ball " , " what's dis? " , and when I give her something she

says

> a thank you in her own language and then mama. I am foreseeing

some

> therapy in the near future.

> I have been in " apraxia " world for the past year and a half, have

> come to terms with it, and doing all in my power to help my son.

> When I read all the charateristics of apraxia there is no doubt my

> son fits the diagnosis. I just don't " see " apraxia in my

daughter.

> Could she be even without those " red flags? " I'm so confused and

> scared. If it's not apraxia and she is a " late talker " , what does

> that really mean? One day am I going to wake up and she just

start

> spitting out new words? What else could it be? I've re-read

> the " Late Talker " book with a diferent perspective in mind but I'm

> still very confused. I honestly don't know much about other

> communication disorders.

> I started her on ProEFA about a month ago and can't say I've

seen

> any BIG change. Now that I've said all this I really don't know

why

> I posted. I know we've all been there thinking someone can give

us

> a magical answer or solution to our confusion. I know that's not

> possible but any encouragement would be definetly appreciated.

It's

> just so unfair with what is happening to our children and then to

> think you could have two babies with a communication problem

really

> frightens me. Thanks for taking the time to read this. I guess I

> just needed to vent my worries. That's what's so wonderful about

> this list, you truly listen.

> Sincerly,

> Robin, Mommy to Cameron 3.7 and Cara 22 months both the LOVEs of

my

> life!

[Guest guest]

Robin--

I have to agree with Kelli and Chris. All you can do is stay on top

of it, just to be on the safe side. While I only have one child who

is apraxic, let alone he's my only child, I was at a great

presentation last week given by a pair of really smart SLPs that have

their own practice to help kids find their voice. From what I do

know, I have to agree with Kelli that it sounds like your daughter,

at worst, might be a " late bloomer " (the term I like to use for non-

apraxic kids who speak late) vs. a late talker. I think it's a good

idea that you are starting to use some of her older brother's Kaufman

cards and other exercises. I don't think that hurts anything. But,

do keep an eye on it. She may have some phonological and

articulation issues, but it doesn't sound as big a problem as

Cameron's. It sounds like she says a whole lot more than my apraxic

Drew now-- he's barely just putting more than one syllable together,

and articulation is a big issue. He just turned 3 last week, so she

sounds like she's ahead of the curve, at least from an apraxic point

of view (well, at least mine!).

Just stay on top of it, and don't panic. While it's probably not

apraxia, at least you know the drill, more or less, of what you need

to do to take action and get the help she needs, so you should feel

confident in that.

I hope this helps...

le (mom to Drew, age 3, apraxia, DSI and hypotonia)

> Hello everyone,

> I'm in a slight depressed state right now because my 22month old

> daughter has me a little worried. At 18 months I didn't get the " typical "

explosion of words

> that tends to happen. She did and still does lots of jibber jabber

> (her own language it seems). At this time she may have had 5

> words/approximations.