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

[Guest guest]

Michele,

My son did not start talking until he was around 4.3 y.o....and he is still

not talking at his age level though he has more words, phrases and

sentences today than he did six months ago and more than he had at age 3

when he only had about 10 words; none of which were clear. I account his

success to Speech Therapy which he gets at Preschool 4x a week and

privately 3x a week as well as the Pro-EFA and the Carnaware he's been

receiving for about a year. This past September his social worker at his

IEP suggested an Augmentative Device for him too but then he started to

make progress speaking... The device will not do harm; it can alleviate his

frustration while trying to communicate. They say that once he learns how

to say the words he would use the device less and less. You can also try

sign language as an alternative means of communication. In the meantime,

Speech Therapy with a therapist that understands and is experienced with

Apraxia is your best option. Until then, God Bless and stay positive!

Positivie thinking is also a major motivator.

Myra

" michelewasikowski "

<michelewasikowski@

.com> cc:

Sent by: Subject:

[ ] Apraxic kids who started to speak after 6 years old

@yaho

ogroups.com

08/08/2006 02:52 PM

Please respond to

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]

Michele,

My son did not start talking until he was around 4.3 y.o....and he is still

not talking at his age level though he has more words, phrases and

sentences today than he did six months ago and more than he had at age 3

when he only had about 10 words; none of which were clear. I account his

success to Speech Therapy which he gets at Preschool 4x a week and

privately 3x a week as well as the Pro-EFA and the Carnaware he's been

receiving for about a year. This past September his social worker at his

IEP suggested an Augmentative Device for him too but then he started to

make progress speaking... The device will not do harm; it can alleviate his

frustration while trying to communicate. They say that once he learns how

to say the words he would use the device less and less. You can also try

sign language as an alternative means of communication. In the meantime,

Speech Therapy with a therapist that understands and is experienced with

Apraxia is your best option. Until then, God Bless and stay positive!

Positivie thinking is also a major motivator.

Myra

" michelewasikowski "

<michelewasikowski@

.com> cc:

Sent by: Subject:

[ ] Apraxic kids who started to speak after 6 years old

@yaho

ogroups.com

08/08/2006 02:52 PM

Please respond to

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]

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

>

[Guest guest]

Michele,

We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy and

OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in a

Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

communicating and his communication device is second. For the past 2

1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his school

at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

that is fluent in sign language.

You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

(son-)

>

> 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]

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

>

[Guest guest]

Michele,

We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy and

OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in a

Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

communicating and his communication device is second. For the past 2

1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his school

at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

that is fluent in sign language.

You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

(son-)

>

> 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

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..

>

>

> 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 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

>

[Guest guest]

-

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..

>

>

> 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 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

>

[Guest guest]

Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words of

advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7 years

of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed by

as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

brother doing today? (if you know)

And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public with

a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still be

top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

be... regardless!

Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these people

(dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

" Michele,

We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy and

OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in a

Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

communicating and his communication device is second. For the past 2

1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his school

at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

that is fluent in sign language.

You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

(son-) "

=====

[Guest guest]

Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words of

advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7 years

of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed by

as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

brother doing today? (if you know)

And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public with

a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still be

top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

be... regardless!

Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these people

(dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

" Michele,

We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy and

OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in a

Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

communicating and his communication device is second. For the past 2

1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his school

at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

that is fluent in sign language.

You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

(son-) "

=====

[Guest guest]

,

I've never met Kate but she will be speaking at an apraxia support

group meeting mid-September. If any one would like me to give her

contact information (for any teenagers who'd like to talk to her) I

can definitely do that, or I can see if she'd consider letting me

post her contact information or posting on the site herself. I'll

definitely be finding out more about how she overcame apraxia at the

meeting.

Email me offlist with any contact info or messages to give to Kate.

Kerri

>

> Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

> success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words of

> advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

> Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7 years

> of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed by

> as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

> time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

> brother doing today? (if you know)

>

> And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

> speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

with

> a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still

be

> top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

> be... regardless!

>

> Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

people

> (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

> impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

>

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

>

> " Michele,

> We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

> can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

> something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy

and

> OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in

a

> Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

> he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

> option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

> the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

> school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

> back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> communicating and his communication device is second. For the past

2

> 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

> write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

school

> at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

> class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

> that is fluent in sign language.

> You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

> husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

> speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

> what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

> alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

> Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

> (son-) "

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

,

I've never met Kate but she will be speaking at an apraxia support

group meeting mid-September. If any one would like me to give her

contact information (for any teenagers who'd like to talk to her) I

can definitely do that, or I can see if she'd consider letting me

post her contact information or posting on the site herself. I'll

definitely be finding out more about how she overcame apraxia at the

meeting.

Email me offlist with any contact info or messages to give to Kate.

Kerri

>

> Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

> success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words of

> advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

> Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7 years

> of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed by

> as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

> time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

> brother doing today? (if you know)

>

> And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

> speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

with

> a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still

be

> top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

> be... regardless!

>

> Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

people

> (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

> impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

>

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

>

> " Michele,

> We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

> can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

> something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy

and

> OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in

a

> Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

> he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

> option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

> the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

> school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

> back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> communicating and his communication device is second. For the past

2

> 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

> write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

school

> at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

> class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

> that is fluent in sign language.

> You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

> husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

> speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

> what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

> alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

> Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

> (son-) "

>

> =====

>

[Guest guest]

Would it be possible to tape this, so we can hear her?

> >

> > Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

> > success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words of

> > advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

> > Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7 years

> > of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed by

> > as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

> > time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

> > brother doing today? (if you know)

> >

> > And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

> > speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

> with

> > a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still

> be

> > top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

> > be... regardless!

> >

> > Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

> people

> > (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

> > impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> > http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

> >

> http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

> >

> > " Michele,

> > We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

> > can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

> > something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy

> and

> > OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in

> a

> > Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

> > he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

> > option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

> > the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

> > school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

> > back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> > services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> > communicating and his communication device is second. For the past

> 2

> > 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

> > write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

> school

> > at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

> > class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

> > that is fluent in sign language.

> > You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> > communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

> > husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

> > speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

> > what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

> > alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

> > Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

> > (son-) "

> >

> > =====

> >

[Guest guest]

Would it be possible to tape this, so we can hear her?

> >

> > Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

> > success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words of

> > advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

> > Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7 years

> > of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed by

> > as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

> > time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

> > brother doing today? (if you know)

> >

> > And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

> > speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

> with

> > a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still

> be

> > top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

> > be... regardless!

> >

> > Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

> people

> > (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

> > impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> > http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

> >

> http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

> >

> > " Michele,

> > We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He still

> > can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to do

> > something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy

> and

> > OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed in

> a

> > Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system. Although

> > he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a good

> > option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs. In

> > the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

> > school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held him

> > back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> > services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> > communicating and his communication device is second. For the past

> 2

> > 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

> > write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

> school

> > at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

> > class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

> > that is fluent in sign language.

> > You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> > communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

> > husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

> > speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

> > what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's retaining

> > alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

> > Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact me.

> > (son-) "

> >

> > =====

> >

[Guest guest]

Oh my gosh! I wouldn't even have a clue about how to do that and

post it somewhere. I think my hubby's IPAQ might have a voice

recorder on it, but would I be able to get it to the computer

somehow? If so, where would I post it?

Kerri

> > >

> > > Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she

is a

> > > success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some

words of

> > > advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long

has

> > > Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7

years

> > > of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then

diagnosed by

> > > as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and

second

> > > time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is

Kate's

> > > brother doing today? (if you know)

> > >

> > > And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment

of

> > > speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

> > with

> > > a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could

still

> > be

> > > top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want

to

> > > be... regardless!

> > >

> > > Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

> > people

> > > (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are

still

> > > impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> > > http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

> > >

> >

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

> > >

> > > " Michele,

> > > We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He

still

> > > can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had

to do

> > > something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech

therapy

> > and

> > > OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him

placed in

> > a

> > > Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system.

Although

> > > he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a

good

> > > option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those

signs. In

> > > the meantime he also used a communication device provided by

the

> > > school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held

him

> > > back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> > > services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> > > communicating and his communication device is second. For the

past

> > 2

> > > 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell

and

> > > write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

> > school

> > > at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special

needs

> > > class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an

aide

> > > that is fluent in sign language.

> > > You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> > > communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and

your

> > > husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn

to

> > > speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as

to

> > > what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's

retaining

> > > alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it

yet.

> > > Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact

me.

> > > (son-) "

> > >

> > > =====

> > >

[Guest guest]

Oh my gosh! I wouldn't even have a clue about how to do that and

post it somewhere. I think my hubby's IPAQ might have a voice

recorder on it, but would I be able to get it to the computer

somehow? If so, where would I post it?

Kerri

> > >

> > > Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she

is a

> > > success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some

words of

> > > advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long

has

> > > Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7

years

> > > of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then

diagnosed by

> > > as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and

second

> > > time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is

Kate's

> > > brother doing today? (if you know)

> > >

> > > And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment

of

> > > speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

> > with

> > > a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could

still

> > be

> > > top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want

to

> > > be... regardless!

> > >

> > > Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

> > people

> > > (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are

still

> > > impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> > > http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

> > >

> >

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

> > >

> > > " Michele,

> > > We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He

still

> > > can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had

to do

> > > something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech

therapy

> > and

> > > OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him

placed in

> > a

> > > Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system.

Although

> > > he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a

good

> > > option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those

signs. In

> > > the meantime he also used a communication device provided by

the

> > > school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held

him

> > > back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> > > services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> > > communicating and his communication device is second. For the

past

> > 2

> > > 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell

and

> > > write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

> > school

> > > at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special

needs

> > > class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an

aide

> > > that is fluent in sign language.

> > > You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> > > communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and

your

> > > husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn

to

> > > speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as

to

> > > what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's

retaining

> > > alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it

yet.

> > > Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact

me.

> > > (son-) "

> > >

> > > =====

> > >

[Guest guest]

--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

In , " fay iorio " <fiorio@...>

wrote:

>

> 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

>

[Guest guest]

--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

In , " fay iorio " <fiorio@...>

wrote:

>

> 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

>

[Guest guest]

The organizer of this meeting just sent out a couple of links about

Kathy and Kate Bauer (see below if you don't know what the heck I'm

talking about). The news article is from 2 years ago. Notice that

Kathy says that Kate still couldn't blow out her candles at her

ninth birthday party.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04153/324637.stm

http://www.apraxia-

kids.org/site/c.chKMI0PIIsE/b.980831/apps/s/content.asp?ct=464415

I hope the links work...

I'll let everyone know what Kate's like after the meeting on the

14th.

Kerri

> >

> > Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

> > success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words

of

> > advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

> > Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7

years

> > of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed

by

> > as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

> > time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

> > brother doing today? (if you know)

> >

> > And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

> > speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

> with

> > a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still

> be

> > top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

> > be... regardless!

> >

> > Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

> people

> > (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

> > impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> > http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

> >

>

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

> >

> > " Michele,

> > We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He

still

> > can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to

do

> > something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy

> and

> > OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed

in

> a

> > Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system.

Although

> > he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a

good

> > option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs.

In

> > the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

> > school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held

him

> > back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> > services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> > communicating and his communication device is second. For the

past

> 2

> > 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

> > write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

> school

> > at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

> > class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

> > that is fluent in sign language.

> > You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> > communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

> > husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

> > speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

> > what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's

retaining

> > alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

> > Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact

me.

> > (son-) "

> >

> > =====

> >

[Guest guest]

The organizer of this meeting just sent out a couple of links about

Kathy and Kate Bauer (see below if you don't know what the heck I'm

talking about). The news article is from 2 years ago. Notice that

Kathy says that Kate still couldn't blow out her candles at her

ninth birthday party.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04153/324637.stm

http://www.apraxia-

kids.org/site/c.chKMI0PIIsE/b.980831/apps/s/content.asp?ct=464415

I hope the links work...

I'll let everyone know what Kate's like after the meeting on the

14th.

Kerri

> >

> > Kerri no matter what Kate's reason for delays in speech -she is a

> > success story. Perhaps teenager to teenager Kate has some words

of

> > advice for who is severe apraxic still at 15? How long has

> > Kate been speaking eloquently and clearly if she is 16, had 7

years

> > of intensive therapy, was misdiagnosed at 2, and then diagnosed

by

> > as severe apraxic at 5? Who diagnosed Kate the first and second

> > time and did she have any other signs of apraxia? How is Kate's

> > brother doing today? (if you know)

> >

> > And speaking of success stories - one overcomes an impairment of

> > speech...but one may still be obvious speech impaired in public

> with

> > a severe motor planning impairment, or deaf, and they could still

> be

> > top students, Ivy League bound, famous, or whatever they want to

> > be... regardless!

> >

> > Still the best proof out there for the speech impaired -these

> people

> > (dare you to read the list and not say " I had no idea!) are still

> > impaired in speech...and overcame to become...

> > http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=128

> >

>

http://deafness.about.com/od/articlesandnewsletters/a/famousdeaf.htm

> >

> > " Michele,

> > We have a 15 year old son ()that is severely apraxic. He

still

> > can only say 4-5 words. When he was about 5 years old we had to

do

> > something to help him communicate. He had tons of speech therapy

> and

> > OT and it was obvious he wasn't picking it up. I had him placed

in

> a

> > Deaf & Hard of Hearing class in our public school system.

Although

> > he's not deaf he needed to communicate and sign language was a

good

> > option. I heard if he starts to speak he will drop those signs.

In

> > the meantime he also used a communication device provided by the

> > school also. Our son was in the DHH class for 6 years. We held

him

> > back in 5th grade knowing he will not be able to continue DHH

> > services in middle school. Today, ASL is his primary means of

> > communicating and his communication device is second. For the

past

> 2

> > 1/2 years his writing has improved so much that he can spell and

> > write in small sentences. He was awarded Most Improved at his

> school

> > at his 8th grade awards ceremony. He has been in a special needs

> > class (critical skills) for the last 3 years and requires an aide

> > that is fluent in sign language.

> > You may want to expose your son to sign language so that he can

> > communicate just in case he doesn't learn to speak. You and your

> > husband should take a class too. Hopefully your son will learn to

> > speak, but in the meantime ASL will ease his mind and yours as to

> > what he is trying to communicate to you. Most likely he's

retaining

> > alot of information, he just hasn't been able to express it yet.

> > Good Luck and if you have any further questions please contact

me.

> > (son-) "

> >

> > =====

> >