Word retrieval and writing

November 30, 2006

Hi,

I have a son with severe verbal dyspraxia (in the Uk it's called Dyspraxia but

it's the same as Apraxia). His major issue is word retrieval. I am pretty sure

that some form of visual cue helps. This was initially signs but now the written

word seems to be helping too.

What's interesting is that once a word is 'fixed' he has no problem retreiving

it. However gettting to that point is really slow. Currently he has definately 4

words that are fixed (BTW he's 6!). they are yeah!, no, here and more. More is

the most recent and 'here' we only realised recently! We are hopeful that Mum,

Daddy, and Rory are about to breakthrough as he can retrieve them with

help quite well. The best thing is that the speed of 'fixing' is improving so

progress is getting better.

He started on the omega oils 2 months ago and i do think it's having some

effect. not as dramatic as some children but nevertheless, something! Today i

took him to the paediatrician and told her all about the theories and asked if

he could have blood tests done. Interestingly she said he should have had some

of them when he was younger anyway, as children that have an undiagnosed

development issue will normally, in the UK, have these tests. As Rory was deaf,

all his language development (or should i say not) was put down to the deafness

until 2 years ago so he didn't have the tests.

Anyway, another interesting observation was regarding writing skills and fine

motor issues. I mentioned that Rory was referred at age 4 for occupational

therapy because he did not hold a pencil properly and his drawing consisted of

dots or circles... forget writing! Anyway they suggested the usual things which

he was doing in school anyway, as it was a special school, but finally 6 months

later he started to draw properly and really well. Now his fine motor skills are

excellent and his copy writing is beautiful, far better than his older

brother's.

The paediatrican pointed out that it was like word retrieval. When it's not

'mapped' or whatever, in the brain, it's hard to do. However, once that skill

has been learnt and 'mapped' it's possible for them to do and to do. We have

problems with using playstation because he can't do one think with one hand and

another thing with the other hand. So, tonight i am going to spend some time

with him to try and see if i can make some progress in fixing this.

Whether it's talking, writing or playstation, it takes a lot of patience and

hard work but it does pay dividends in the end.

regards

UK mummy to and Rory, both deaf with cochlear implants, Rory has severe

verbal dyspraxia.

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