Re: FW from Khalid/older Apraxic children

[Guest guest]

Dear Khalid:

Although your message isn't to me, I wanted to respond.

Thanks,,,,,, I just can't wipe my tears.

I will save and treasure your email for my son. At 5 I can already -- see

kids treat him differently.

All my best to you. You are a very successful young man -- who should be

proud of himself. The world will have a very special place for you.

One thing that my Mom said to me, regarding my son, that helped me, is he

will have special talents that no one else has. I see you have found yours.

Thanks again,

Lori J.

mother to severe verbal apraxia age 5.2 months

[Guest guest]

Khalid, You are an inspiration. I plan to print your email for my daughter

Meghan who is 14 and still struggles alot with her verbal apraxia.

I wish that she had a " special friend " that would always be there for her

She has friends that are sometimes available and sometimes not. Kids have

to work hard too have a conversation with Meghan and sometimes I think it is

more trouble than kids at that age want to bother with. Meghan is helping

out with a high school volleyball team and loves it. The girls are a little

older and they are very nice to her. I have found it is much better to

enlighted people to Meghan's apraxia. When they have a better understanding

that she is just like them except for her speech, they seem to try harder to

get to know her. She is such a kind and loving, sensitive girl. Sometimes,

I over simplify it and make an analogy to a deaf person. Most people seem

to understand apraxia that way.

I keep hoping that Meghan will do as well as you certainly have. Thanks for

sharing your thoughts and take care.

Joyce Cerulo

Medway, MA mother to Meghan age 14 verbal apraxic

[ ] FW from Khalid/older Apraxic children

> Hi Sandy, this is Khalid and I have apraxia. When I was ten

> years old, I talked different from other kids. Talking was

> hard for me. I use to talk slow and sounded like a robot. I

> had the same problems as your son as far as teasing went.

> There were people that made fun of me here and there. When

> I was bummed, it helped to have 2 good buddies, especially

> one who liked me no matter what. I could count on friends

> that did not judge me. Teasing is never cool, but I believe

> everyone faces it. I remember that to chew on it only made

> things worse. Some times it would help to tell people why I

> talked different. At first all the kids thought it was

> weird that I went to speech and occupational therapy, but

> when I told them about it they understood why. Some would

> even tell me how lucky I was to get out of class for my

> therapies. Teasing really bugs, but if your son says he can

> handle it then I think he means that he wants to. I know

> feelings like this. It was difficult to go to my mom

> because I knew it was sad for her to hear about teasing. My

> mom always asked me about my day and I did not want to

> worry her if I was teased. I wanted to handle these

> situations myself. That's important to learn that I could

> do that for myself. If the teasing gets really bad your son

> should talk to some one he feels comfortable with. My

> speech therapist was some one I could talk to about stuff.

> The teasing did affect me enough to want to work harder on

> my speech. I think acting is good if your son likes to do

> that sort of thing. In higher grades I'd act out school

> presentations whenever I get the chance. It takes patience,

> but each year my speech did get better. It became easier

> dealing with people. I'm in my last year of high school.

> It's been a good start to what I plan to be a great year

> ahead. My speech does not stand out any more. I have a cool

> job and good people to hang with. Your son sounds like me

> at ten years old. Having apraxia is not easy, but he seems

> strong and that's going to get him through this tough time.

> For me having good family, good friends, makes a good life.

> I wish this helped sharing my experience.

>

> Khalid

>

>

> > I have kept up with the readings on this great site and

> when another

> > challenge is about to be met I like to reach out to all

> those who have older Apraxic

> > children for feedback. My ten year old Aprexic,

> Dyslexic, bright learning

> > different son is doing just great. We found the school

> for him and moved the

> > family (which is better for my older daughter too).

> Stefan's Speech Pathologist is

> > the best, and he's understood by all. The problem is,

> whenever he encounters

> > a new social situation there is always that one kid that

> teases him

> > relentlessly.They call him " The talking Weirdo " or ask

> him " what language are you

> > using? " Sure Stefan reassures me that he can handle it,

> but I a sick and tired

> > of it, so I am fast gearing into action and my 2004-05

> goal is to correct not

> > only his articulation, sequencing, overall syntax, but to

> work on the sound of

> > his voice. I thought about a linguist (A Henry Higgins),

> or maybe even an

> > acting coach. His speech center is hooking Stef up with a

> voicing SLP, but I am

> > throwing this out to any of you that may have any

> suggestions.......... Sandy

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[Guest guest]

Dear Khalid -

As I wrote your mother, you really have been an inspiration for a lot of

kids (and parents!) on this line throughout these years. As Lori J. wrote, I

have kept your email about teasing for my son, Josh. You are a very special guy

- good luck on your ACT!

Sherry

lorijla@... wrote:

Dear Khalid:

Although your message isn't to me, I wanted to respond.

Thanks,,,,,, I just can't wipe my tears.

I will save and treasure your email for my son. At 5 I can already -- see

kids treat him differently.

All my best to you. You are a very successful young man -- who should be

proud of himself. The world will have a very special place for you.

One thing that my Mom said to me, regarding my son, that helped me, is he

will have special talents that no one else has. I see you have found yours.

Thanks again,

Lori J.

mother to severe verbal apraxia age 5.2 months