Re: Re: Apraxic kids who started to speak after 6 years old

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy

Is your 7 year old in an inclusion class? Does he have an aide?

I have a six year old who is exploding w/words but is about 15-20%

intelligable, trying out a K-1 inclusion class w/out an aide in Sept... He

loved his pre-K inclusion class (same school) but had great teachers... Kindof

scared, but hoping for the best..

sandy lehmann <mommie2chris@...> wrote:

Michele,

You sound like you're in the down slope of our roller coaster rides

with our kids. that was me last week. I panic, then i'm fine, I

panic, then I'm fine....

My son will be 7 this month and he had 0 words when he started

school. One slp said he would never talk. He certainly isn't age

appropriate in speech, but he does have words. Recently we've had a

couple of 3 word sentences.

We're caught in the red tape at school trying to get him an

augmentative device.

Behaviour management is trying to get us re-started with pecs. We

had stopped because we all found it too frustrating, we sign with

him instead.

I really found that a surge came with when we started

him on the efa's. He didn't say words that anyone but us could

understand, but he did start babbling more. We are always modeling

speech and I try to practice with him in fun ways. repetition has

helped him alot but he is still a kid and needs to have fun so i try

to incorporate speech into everything we play without him realizing

it!

We as parents are pretty much the only ones who can understand

and I find that overwhelming at times but I just take

things 1 day at a time.

When it's a really bad day I take things 1 hour at a time or else

I'll just explode with the feelings of hopelessness and despair.

But, when all is said and done, seems to get people to

understand what he wants. The staff at school totally spoil him!!!

I stand in awe of a child who cannot verbalize what he needs but

still manages to get it. When I feel overcome with emotions I just

put myself in his place and wonder how he makes it through his day

and stays so happy.

Take care

Sandy

-- In , " michelewasikowski "

<michelewasikowski@...> wrote:

>

> I am just looking for a little hope. My husband and I just moved

to

> another town in hopes of finding a better school system for our

son

> with severe apraxia. I have always believed in private therapy as

> well. So when we moved we also switched my son's private

therapist.

> She saw him yesterday and today for an hour each time and said

that

> my son's apraxia is extermely severe and she is not sure if he

will

> be a communicator verbally. She said she does not want to give up

> and wants to try to work with him, but that there is a chance he

> will not make gains verbally. Even his most basic skills are

being

> impacted by apraxia. Her suggestion was to bring my son 5 days a

> week to speech and 5 days a week to OT, even if it means pulling

him

> out of school. She also suggested a visit to a psycharist, as she

> thinks he may have some elective mutism as well.

>

> Anyways, I know I have heard stories of kids with apraxia that did

> not start talking till 6, 7, 8... Just hoping someone can give me

> hope.

>

> My husband and I plan on trying the 5 day a week intense therapy

of

> OT and ST starting in Sept for 3 months to see if we see any

> progress. But we are going to have to take out a home equity to

> afford it, as my insurance only covers 60 sessions of any therapy

a

> year, and we have already exceeded that. I tried appealing it

last

> year, but they said apraxia is not a neurological disorder.

>

> We will do anything to help our son, but it is so depressing when

no

> therapist has gotten him to progress much and most say to focus on

> an augmentative comm device, because that is what he will most

> likely use for the rest of his life.

>

> Just looking for other parents with severe if not profundly

affected

> apraxic children that did end up talking but later in life. How

do

> you cope? What do you feel ultimately made your child talk?

>

> Michele

>

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy

Is your 7 year old in an inclusion class? Does he have an aide?

I have a six year old who is exploding w/words but is about 15-20%

intelligable, trying out a K-1 inclusion class w/out an aide in Sept... He

loved his pre-K inclusion class (same school) but had great teachers... Kindof

scared, but hoping for the best..

sandy lehmann <mommie2chris@...> wrote:

Michele,

You sound like you're in the down slope of our roller coaster rides

with our kids. that was me last week. I panic, then i'm fine, I

panic, then I'm fine....

My son will be 7 this month and he had 0 words when he started

school. One slp said he would never talk. He certainly isn't age

appropriate in speech, but he does have words. Recently we've had a

couple of 3 word sentences.

We're caught in the red tape at school trying to get him an

augmentative device.

Behaviour management is trying to get us re-started with pecs. We

had stopped because we all found it too frustrating, we sign with

him instead.

I really found that a surge came with when we started

him on the efa's. He didn't say words that anyone but us could

understand, but he did start babbling more. We are always modeling

speech and I try to practice with him in fun ways. repetition has

helped him alot but he is still a kid and needs to have fun so i try

to incorporate speech into everything we play without him realizing

it!

We as parents are pretty much the only ones who can understand

and I find that overwhelming at times but I just take

things 1 day at a time.

When it's a really bad day I take things 1 hour at a time or else

I'll just explode with the feelings of hopelessness and despair.

But, when all is said and done, seems to get people to

understand what he wants. The staff at school totally spoil him!!!

I stand in awe of a child who cannot verbalize what he needs but

still manages to get it. When I feel overcome with emotions I just

put myself in his place and wonder how he makes it through his day

and stays so happy.

Take care

Sandy

-- In , " michelewasikowski "

<michelewasikowski@...> wrote:

>

> I am just looking for a little hope. My husband and I just moved

to

> another town in hopes of finding a better school system for our

son

> with severe apraxia. I have always believed in private therapy as

> well. So when we moved we also switched my son's private

therapist.

> She saw him yesterday and today for an hour each time and said

that

> my son's apraxia is extermely severe and she is not sure if he

will

> be a communicator verbally. She said she does not want to give up

> and wants to try to work with him, but that there is a chance he

> will not make gains verbally. Even his most basic skills are

being

> impacted by apraxia. Her suggestion was to bring my son 5 days a

> week to speech and 5 days a week to OT, even if it means pulling

him

> out of school. She also suggested a visit to a psycharist, as she

> thinks he may have some elective mutism as well.

>

> Anyways, I know I have heard stories of kids with apraxia that did

> not start talking till 6, 7, 8... Just hoping someone can give me

> hope.

>

> My husband and I plan on trying the 5 day a week intense therapy

of

> OT and ST starting in Sept for 3 months to see if we see any

> progress. But we are going to have to take out a home equity to

> afford it, as my insurance only covers 60 sessions of any therapy

a

> year, and we have already exceeded that. I tried appealing it

last

> year, but they said apraxia is not a neurological disorder.

>

> We will do anything to help our son, but it is so depressing when

no

> therapist has gotten him to progress much and most say to focus on

> an augmentative comm device, because that is what he will most

> likely use for the rest of his life.

>

> Just looking for other parents with severe if not profundly

affected

> apraxic children that did end up talking but later in life. How

do

> you cope? What do you feel ultimately made your child talk?

>

> Michele

>

---------------------------------

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

hi michele,

I have a 6 year old now and he is going to 1st grade. his school district is

giving him a aide and he will going 1/2 day in more cognitive based program

(more 1 on 1 instruction for lessons) and then a 1/2 day in higher functioning

sped class ( all the kids talk) he is about 50-60% understood by people who

know him. they also talking about getting him dynovox too. hopefully district

agrees.

he is getting older and really hating no one understands him, we are still

working on him not getting frustrated by hitting or yelling when things don't go

his way or when he is not understood. he just got in the habit of using his

hands instead of talking. its a hard road but he has made so many gains with

the help of the school district.

the best advice i could give never give up and give the professionals freedom

to think out of the box and try everything, you never know it may work. i'm just

learning now that i'm in for the long haul and that i have to keep my options

open to all therapies and ideas.

hope this helped and much love and luck to ya

chris

> -- In , " michelewasikowski "

> <michelewasikowski@> wrote:

> >

> > I am just looking for a little hope. My husband and I just

moved

> to

> > another town in hopes of finding a better school system for

our

> son

> > with severe apraxia. I have always believed in private

therapy as

> > well. So when we moved we also switched my son's private

> therapist.

> > She saw him yesterday and today for an hour each time and said

> that

> > my son's apraxia is extermely severe and she is not sure if he

> will

> > be a communicator verbally. She said she does not want to

give up

> > and wants to try to work with him, but that there is a chance

he

> > will not make gains verbally. Even his most basic skills are

> being

> > impacted by apraxia. Her suggestion was to bring my son 5

days a

> > week to speech and 5 days a week to OT, even if it means

pulling

> him

> > out of school. She also suggested a visit to a psycharist, as

she

> > thinks he may have some elective mutism as well.

> >

> > Anyways, I know I have heard stories of kids with apraxia that

did

> > not start talking till 6, 7, 8... Just hoping someone can

give me

> > hope.

> >

> > My husband and I plan on trying the 5 day a week intense

therapy

> of

> > OT and ST starting in Sept for 3 months to see if we see any

> > progress. But we are going to have to take out a home equity

to

> > afford it, as my insurance only covers 60 sessions of any

therapy

> a

> > year, and we have already exceeded that. I tried appealing it

> last

> > year, but they said apraxia is not a neurological disorder.

> >

> > We will do anything to help our son, but it is so depressing

when

> no

> > therapist has gotten him to progress much and most say to

focus on

> > an augmentative comm device, because that is what he will most

> > likely use for the rest of his life.

> >

> > Just looking for other parents with severe if not profundly

> affected

> > apraxic children that did end up talking but later in life.

How

> do

> > you cope? What do you feel ultimately made your child talk?

> >

> > Michele

[Guest guest]

hi michele,

I have a 6 year old now and he is going to 1st grade. his school district is

giving him a aide and he will going 1/2 day in more cognitive based program

(more 1 on 1 instruction for lessons) and then a 1/2 day in higher functioning

sped class ( all the kids talk) he is about 50-60% understood by people who

know him. they also talking about getting him dynovox too. hopefully district

agrees.

he is getting older and really hating no one understands him, we are still

working on him not getting frustrated by hitting or yelling when things don't go

his way or when he is not understood. he just got in the habit of using his

hands instead of talking. its a hard road but he has made so many gains with

the help of the school district.

the best advice i could give never give up and give the professionals freedom

to think out of the box and try everything, you never know it may work. i'm just

learning now that i'm in for the long haul and that i have to keep my options

open to all therapies and ideas.

hope this helped and much love and luck to ya

chris

> -- In , " michelewasikowski "

> <michelewasikowski@> wrote:

> >

> > I am just looking for a little hope. My husband and I just

moved

> to

> > another town in hopes of finding a better school system for

our

> son

> > with severe apraxia. I have always believed in private

therapy as

> > well. So when we moved we also switched my son's private

> therapist.

> > She saw him yesterday and today for an hour each time and said

> that

> > my son's apraxia is extermely severe and she is not sure if he

> will

> > be a communicator verbally. She said she does not want to

give up

> > and wants to try to work with him, but that there is a chance

he

> > will not make gains verbally. Even his most basic skills are

> being

> > impacted by apraxia. Her suggestion was to bring my son 5

days a

> > week to speech and 5 days a week to OT, even if it means

pulling

> him

> > out of school. She also suggested a visit to a psycharist, as

she

> > thinks he may have some elective mutism as well.

> >

> > Anyways, I know I have heard stories of kids with apraxia that

did

> > not start talking till 6, 7, 8... Just hoping someone can

give me

> > hope.

> >

> > My husband and I plan on trying the 5 day a week intense

therapy

> of

> > OT and ST starting in Sept for 3 months to see if we see any

> > progress. But we are going to have to take out a home equity

to

> > afford it, as my insurance only covers 60 sessions of any

therapy

> a

> > year, and we have already exceeded that. I tried appealing it

> last

> > year, but they said apraxia is not a neurological disorder.

> >

> > We will do anything to help our son, but it is so depressing

when

> no

> > therapist has gotten him to progress much and most say to

focus on

> > an augmentative comm device, because that is what he will most

> > likely use for the rest of his life.

> >

> > Just looking for other parents with severe if not profundly

> affected

> > apraxic children that did end up talking but later in life.

How

> do

> > you cope? What do you feel ultimately made your child talk?

> >

> > Michele

[Guest guest]

looooove this story!!!!! thanks

chris

Jeff <kerripat@...> wrote:

Hi Michele,

I don't have a personal story, but I wanted to share this about a

young woman who will be speaking at our next apraxia support group

meeting (her mother is the conference director for CASANA and will

also be speaking). BTW, if anyone's in Western PA let me know -

I'll get you the details of the meeting.

" Kate Bauer is a 16 year old junior at Shadyside Academy in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At 2 years old she was misdiagnosed as

Developmentally Delayed. Shortly after her brother was diagnosed as

apraxic, Kate was correctly diagnosed at five years old as having

severe apraxia. Kate received seven years of intense therapy through

Early Intervention Services, her School District and private

therapy. Today, in addition to being an honor student, Kate is a

varsity basketball player and plays the viola in her high school

orchestra. Kate often speaks, eloquently and clearly, to large

groups of parents and professionals regarding her experiences

growing up with apraxia. "

I'm not sure how " severly apraxia " at 5 years old translates to

number of words in the vocabulary, but it sounds like she was pretty

non-verbal. BTW, Shadyside is a really competitive prep school, so

to be on the honor list there probably means she's Ivy League bound.

Hope this inspires some of you parents who really need it!

Kerri

> > >

> > > I am just looking for a little hope. My husband and I just

> moved

> > to

> > > another town in hopes of finding a better school system for

> our

> > son

> > > with severe apraxia. I have always believed in private

> therapy as

> > > well. So when we moved we also switched my son's private

> > therapist.

> > > She saw him yesterday and today for an hour each time and said

> > that

> > > my son's apraxia is extermely severe and she is not sure if he

> > will

> > > be a communicator verbally. She said she does not want to

> give up

> > > and wants to try to work with him, but that there is a chance

> he

> > > will not make gains verbally. Even his most basic skills are

> > being

> > > impacted by apraxia. Her suggestion was to bring my son 5

> days a

> > > week to speech and 5 days a week to OT, even if it means

> pulling

> > him

> > > out of school. She also suggested a visit to a psycharist, as

> she

> > > thinks he may have some elective mutism as well.

> > >

> > > Anyways, I know I have heard stories of kids with apraxia that

> did

> > > not start talking till 6, 7, 8... Just hoping someone can

> give me

> > > hope.

> > >

> > > My husband and I plan on trying the 5 day a week intense

> therapy

> > of

> > > OT and ST starting in Sept for 3 months to see if we see any

> > > progress. But we are going to have to take out a home equity

> to

> > > afford it, as my insurance only covers 60 sessions of any

> therapy

> > a

> > > year, and we have already exceeded that. I tried appealing it

> > last

> > > year, but they said apraxia is not a neurological disorder.

> > >

> > > We will do anything to help our son, but it is so depressing

> when

> > no

> > > therapist has gotten him to progress much and most say to

> focus on

> > > an augmentative comm device, because that is what he will most

> > > likely use for the rest of his life.

> > >

> > > Just looking for other parents with severe if not profundly

> > affected

> > > apraxic children that did end up talking but later in life.

> How

> > do

> > > you cope? What do you feel ultimately made your child talk?

> > >

> > > Michele

>

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

looooove this story!!!!! thanks

chris

Jeff <kerripat@...> wrote:

Hi Michele,

I don't have a personal story, but I wanted to share this about a

young woman who will be speaking at our next apraxia support group

meeting (her mother is the conference director for CASANA and will

also be speaking). BTW, if anyone's in Western PA let me know -

I'll get you the details of the meeting.

" Kate Bauer is a 16 year old junior at Shadyside Academy in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At 2 years old she was misdiagnosed as

Developmentally Delayed. Shortly after her brother was diagnosed as

apraxic, Kate was correctly diagnosed at five years old as having

severe apraxia. Kate received seven years of intense therapy through

Early Intervention Services, her School District and private

therapy. Today, in addition to being an honor student, Kate is a

varsity basketball player and plays the viola in her high school

orchestra. Kate often speaks, eloquently and clearly, to large

groups of parents and professionals regarding her experiences

growing up with apraxia. "

I'm not sure how " severly apraxia " at 5 years old translates to

number of words in the vocabulary, but it sounds like she was pretty

non-verbal. BTW, Shadyside is a really competitive prep school, so

to be on the honor list there probably means she's Ivy League bound.

Hope this inspires some of you parents who really need it!

Kerri

> > >

> > > I am just looking for a little hope. My husband and I just

> moved

> > to

> > > another town in hopes of finding a better school system for

> our

> > son

> > > with severe apraxia. I have always believed in private

> therapy as

> > > well. So when we moved we also switched my son's private

> > therapist.

> > > She saw him yesterday and today for an hour each time and said

> > that

> > > my son's apraxia is extermely severe and she is not sure if he

> > will

> > > be a communicator verbally. She said she does not want to

> give up

> > > and wants to try to work with him, but that there is a chance

> he

> > > will not make gains verbally. Even his most basic skills are

> > being

> > > impacted by apraxia. Her suggestion was to bring my son 5

> days a

> > > week to speech and 5 days a week to OT, even if it means

> pulling

> > him

> > > out of school. She also suggested a visit to a psycharist, as

> she

> > > thinks he may have some elective mutism as well.

> > >

> > > Anyways, I know I have heard stories of kids with apraxia that

> did

> > > not start talking till 6, 7, 8... Just hoping someone can

> give me

> > > hope.

> > >

> > > My husband and I plan on trying the 5 day a week intense

> therapy

> > of

> > > OT and ST starting in Sept for 3 months to see if we see any

> > > progress. But we are going to have to take out a home equity

> to

> > > afford it, as my insurance only covers 60 sessions of any

> therapy

> > a

> > > year, and we have already exceeded that. I tried appealing it

> > last

> > > year, but they said apraxia is not a neurological disorder.

> > >

> > > We will do anything to help our son, but it is so depressing

> when

> > no

> > > therapist has gotten him to progress much and most say to

> focus on

> > > an augmentative comm device, because that is what he will most

> > > likely use for the rest of his life.

> > >

> > > Just looking for other parents with severe if not profundly

> > affected

> > > apraxic children that did end up talking but later in life.

> How

> > do

> > > you cope? What do you feel ultimately made your child talk?

> > >

> > > Michele

>

---------------------------------

Get your email and more, right on the new .com

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy, I am the grandmother to Damon a 3 year old apraxic child, but I am

also a retired school administrator. I have waited a few days to respond to

your message about resenting the fact that your son will have a shared aid for

this coming school year....and I'm still not quite sure what to say other than I

don't know where it is written or even understood that an aid cannot help

regular kids in the classroom. When this aid assists the teacher overall, it

makes for a much more successful setting for your son. In addition, it is best

for your son to attempt to be as independent as possible so should the aid just

stand by until he needs her assistance? This independence will become more and

more important as he progresses in school. If he is 80-90% intelligible, he

should not have great difficulty participating in the class. Are there other

physical/mental concerns that limit him? The last thing you want to foster his

his dependence on another person to get him through life. Keep in touch....I

am anxious to know how the year goes. Fay, Damon's grandmother

[ ] Re: Apraxic kids who started to speak after 6

years old

-

Hi

will be entering grade 2 this september. He will have

an aide(probably shared) He is about 80-90% un-intelligable. I will

never feel comfortable with the shared aide thing because even

though aides aren't supposed to help the teachers with

the " regular " kids they do. That is one downside to being in a

regular class.

I will always feel a little anxious during the school day, but

just loves going to school and the staff are marvelous

and he is learning.

We were a little spoiled in kindergarten because he had his own

aide. I felt a little better about him being there. I have been

gathering letters from doctors and therapists to strenthen my

request that he have his own aide.

I know that s classmates watch out for him and for the

most part the rest of the school is very sensitive to him not being

able to talk. If you have a good relationship with the school staff

it makes your day a little less stressful. It was very hard for me

to give the independance but I knew it was the best

thing for him and he has made amazing gains!

I'd try to tell you not to worry but I know we all do, but if you

have a good feeling about your son's school and think he will do

well without an aide, give it a chance. You can always go to the

principal and review your sons needs and make any nescessary changes

if needed.

Hope this helps!

Sandy

-- In , Khatchadourian

<kevocute@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Sandy

> Is your 7 year old in an inclusion class? Does he have an aide?

> I have a six year old who is exploding w/words but is about 15-

20% intelligable, trying out a K-1 inclusion class w/out an aide in

Sept... He loved his pre-K inclusion class (same school) but had

great teachers... Kindof scared, but hoping for the best..

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy, I am the grandmother to Damon a 3 year old apraxic child, but I am

also a retired school administrator. I have waited a few days to respond to

your message about resenting the fact that your son will have a shared aid for

this coming school year....and I'm still not quite sure what to say other than I

don't know where it is written or even understood that an aid cannot help

regular kids in the classroom. When this aid assists the teacher overall, it

makes for a much more successful setting for your son. In addition, it is best

for your son to attempt to be as independent as possible so should the aid just

stand by until he needs her assistance? This independence will become more and

more important as he progresses in school. If he is 80-90% intelligible, he

should not have great difficulty participating in the class. Are there other

physical/mental concerns that limit him? The last thing you want to foster his

his dependence on another person to get him through life. Keep in touch....I

am anxious to know how the year goes. Fay, Damon's grandmother

[ ] Re: Apraxic kids who started to speak after 6

years old

-

Hi

will be entering grade 2 this september. He will have

an aide(probably shared) He is about 80-90% un-intelligable. I will

never feel comfortable with the shared aide thing because even

though aides aren't supposed to help the teachers with

the " regular " kids they do. That is one downside to being in a

regular class.

I will always feel a little anxious during the school day, but

just loves going to school and the staff are marvelous

and he is learning.

We were a little spoiled in kindergarten because he had his own

aide. I felt a little better about him being there. I have been

gathering letters from doctors and therapists to strenthen my

request that he have his own aide.

I know that s classmates watch out for him and for the

most part the rest of the school is very sensitive to him not being

able to talk. If you have a good relationship with the school staff

it makes your day a little less stressful. It was very hard for me

to give the independance but I knew it was the best

thing for him and he has made amazing gains!

I'd try to tell you not to worry but I know we all do, but if you

have a good feeling about your son's school and think he will do

well without an aide, give it a chance. You can always go to the

principal and review your sons needs and make any nescessary changes

if needed.

Hope this helps!

Sandy

-- In , Khatchadourian

<kevocute@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Sandy

> Is your 7 year old in an inclusion class? Does he have an aide?

> I have a six year old who is exploding w/words but is about 15-

20% intelligable, trying out a K-1 inclusion class w/out an aide in

Sept... He loved his pre-K inclusion class (same school) but had

great teachers... Kindof scared, but hoping for the best..

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy, You are so right....your does need a full time EA

assigned just to him. I misunderstood your first post, and I wish for you a

great school year.....Fay, Damon's grandmother

[ ] Re: Apraxic kids who started to speak after 6

years old

--Hi Fay!

does have developmental delays as well as sensory issues

as well as compromised eyesight(waiting for surgery).

One of the reasons for not wanting to share the ea is that last year

they " mis-placed " him twice. I would not have heard about this

unless I was at the school volunteering and they came into his class

saying " has anyone seen Chris? "

I also got the phone call to come and get him to bring him to the

hospital for stiches. Seems he found this nice jagged piece of

metal sticking out from the school fence with his forehead.

I also have alot of friends in the school system. Most are ea's.

They ALL tell me that they are there for the coded " Special needs "

kids. We are in ontario, so maybe the rules are different. The

school is given funds based on the number of kids who needs ea's.

True, it is to their discretion as to who gets to share and who gets

their own ea, but the ea's are paid specifically from funds provided

to special needs programs.

I do realize that he needs his independance but i think he needs

more than a couple of hours a day with an ea and all of the people

working with agree and have strongly suggested that we persue

getting him his own ea as he had in kindergarten.

He had a fabulous teacher last year and had a great year.

however, ea's are for special needs kids. They don't put an ea in

every class because they aren't there as an assistant to teachers,

they are there to assist the children in main stream class which in

turn, helps the teacher.

This subject gets my blood going because we, as a family, have

fought very hard to get services for and thankfully

we've had a great team of specialists helping us, but I've still had

to beg and sob for every service he is receiving.

I really don't want to take anything away from another child, i

really,really don't. But if the regular kids in the class need extra

help the parents need to address that with the teacher.

You mis-understood my original message. My son is 80-90% UN-

intelligible and does have difficulty participating. No, his ea

doesn't need to stand and watch him she has plenty to do getting

things ready for him such as preparing his adapted lessons that the

teacher has given her.

The hardest thing for me as a mother has been to send my little boy

off to school and give him his independence but I have done it. I

will never be comfortable with it but I will do it because

does need to be independant. But I do feel strongly

about the ea thing because to get one you have to fight tooth and

nail even though you have every doctor backing you up on it.

Best regards,

Sandy

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy, You are so right....your does need a full time EA

assigned just to him. I misunderstood your first post, and I wish for you a

great school year.....Fay, Damon's grandmother

[ ] Re: Apraxic kids who started to speak after 6

years old

--Hi Fay!

does have developmental delays as well as sensory issues

as well as compromised eyesight(waiting for surgery).

One of the reasons for not wanting to share the ea is that last year

they " mis-placed " him twice. I would not have heard about this

unless I was at the school volunteering and they came into his class

saying " has anyone seen Chris? "

I also got the phone call to come and get him to bring him to the

hospital for stiches. Seems he found this nice jagged piece of

metal sticking out from the school fence with his forehead.

I also have alot of friends in the school system. Most are ea's.

They ALL tell me that they are there for the coded " Special needs "

kids. We are in ontario, so maybe the rules are different. The

school is given funds based on the number of kids who needs ea's.

True, it is to their discretion as to who gets to share and who gets

their own ea, but the ea's are paid specifically from funds provided

to special needs programs.

I do realize that he needs his independance but i think he needs

more than a couple of hours a day with an ea and all of the people

working with agree and have strongly suggested that we persue

getting him his own ea as he had in kindergarten.

He had a fabulous teacher last year and had a great year.

however, ea's are for special needs kids. They don't put an ea in

every class because they aren't there as an assistant to teachers,

they are there to assist the children in main stream class which in

turn, helps the teacher.

This subject gets my blood going because we, as a family, have

fought very hard to get services for and thankfully

we've had a great team of specialists helping us, but I've still had

to beg and sob for every service he is receiving.

I really don't want to take anything away from another child, i

really,really don't. But if the regular kids in the class need extra

help the parents need to address that with the teacher.

You mis-understood my original message. My son is 80-90% UN-

intelligible and does have difficulty participating. No, his ea

doesn't need to stand and watch him she has plenty to do getting

things ready for him such as preparing his adapted lessons that the

teacher has given her.

The hardest thing for me as a mother has been to send my little boy

off to school and give him his independence but I have done it. I

will never be comfortable with it but I will do it because

does need to be independant. But I do feel strongly

about the ea thing because to get one you have to fight tooth and

nail even though you have every doctor backing you up on it.

Best regards,

Sandy