RE: [SPAM] Apraxia Diagnosis

[Guest guest]

Since Mark had motor planning issues along with your apraxia, this could

indicate that he has global dyspraxia. I would attempt to get an evaluation by

a neurologist or a developmental pediatrician who can make such diagnosis. I

like the idea of the motor planning institute since the more therapy you can get

at the youngest age possible, the better.

In addition, , I am Mark's therapist now since we got 'dropped' by the

system years and years ago. Thus, I recognize the value of a good letter,

beating on every door you can to get access to therapy. There was a time when

Mark was three that I literally phoned our district health unit 'weekly' to see

if he had yet received a therapist! I was a real pain.... but eventually I got

it. EI is available for only a short time period and it is essential that you

get as much service as you can..... even if you were rich I would suggest this!

So..... don't just try to get SLP, try for the OT AND even the PT! (Yes, I did

actually manage to get all 3 one year! AMAAAAZING)

In the meantime..... do not despair. Get to the park as often as possible

(don't know how cold it is where you live) and MOVE! Climb the monkey bars,

spin around and around on the tire swings, make sand castles, 'hang' from the

bars (this works cortical grasp in our children). Buy a big $2.00 beach ball

and work your sons visual perceptual skills and near to far, far to near

sightedness by playing a simple game of catch every day. It is amazing how

these 'normal' everyday activities serve as therapy for our kids. Our kids need

to move to get better, they need to move as much time as they have (and you

have) in the day.

Play with your son on the floor and pretend to be horses, crawl on your hands

and knees fast and slow, play ball together with the big ball while your on your

hands and knees, swatting that big ball with your hands. Pretend to be soldiers

and crawl on your bellies and slide under items and over items as he gets

proficient. Crawling on your belly and creeping on your hands and knees works

the central nervous system and my Mark had to do it (along with cross marching

and cross skipping) for daily for 3 months when he was 11 to 'redo' his motor

planning and rewire his coordination abilities. It absolutely worked and there

is no reason why you could not begin doing some of these types of activities

with your boy at home. Make it fun and make it silly but make it happen. He

needs as much as he can get! Oh, and come this spring, join a community league

and get him into the 3 year old soccer program. He'll have a blast, so will you

and it will be wonderful for him!

Gotta dog, then walk him! Try to get your boy walking (as brisk as possible)

daily. They actually like to get kids (after they have developed a good

creep/crawl) to work up to a walk of 3 miles plus daily, first on an even easy

flat surface and then graduating to an uneven and 'dificult terrain' such as a

trail through the woods that goes up and down with uneven footing.

Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is imperative for our kids

to work up to..... anyone hearing me? Start young and Brainwash your kid into

wanting to become a runner! Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of

the most amazing things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout

their life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop him off

a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run the remainder of the

distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best outcomes from the extremely

severely affected to the most mildly affected of children all have the best

prognosis when they are runners.....

Of course, I am going to have to develop a new strategy since he is now taking

the bus home...... Well, it will come to me and I will figure it out!

I am going to find you some exercises to start with for some home OT..... I know

of some and am going to post them.....

Janice

Mother of Mark, 13

[sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

I'm still trying to get a real diagnosis for my son. The dev. ped has

diagnonsed him with oromotor dyspraxia with phonological issues, and I think the

SLP is not going to render a diagnosis of apraxia. She's very happy and

impressed with his progress.....and she still doesn't believe that " supplements "

have rendered any significant changes or advancements. I see another SLP next

month (through health insurance), because I'm trying to get as many

people.....on my side as possible. My son still cannot lick his top lip, nor can

he move his tongue to the right side of his mouth. He also drools a lot (right

side), and has low tone on the right side of his face. His words, although he

now has many, are formed primarily at the back of his throat/mouth, and the dev.

ped. diagnosed him as 25% intelligible. I also see searching behaviors, delays

when speaking and using the wrong words when trying to talk quickly. He's also

adopted and has a pretty traumatic story.....one being that he was rescusitated

at birth. One person (an advocate -- very familiar with special needs) has

mentioned mild CP and would like him evaluated at a " motor planning "

institute.....something like that. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am pretty

dependent on help from the district (finances - can't really afford outside

therapy). I don't want him to slip through the cracks!! I work with him

constantly!!!!! I've been to and participated in every therapy session, and

implemented strategies at home. I put him on a list for speech services (through

the local college) last fall. I got that call that they'll begin therapy with

him next month. That's one more avenue.....and I'm very grateful.

Everyone tells me that the mouth thing is oral apraxia, but the slp always

says, " no " to that. What do I do about this?????

__________________________________________________________

Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge with star

power.

http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan

[Guest guest]

Janice, I can't imagine why I didn't think to ask this earlier, as you

are obviously the right person, but exactly HOW would I go about

getting my child running? He has a diagnosis of apraxia and

dyspraxia but has done really well. Gross motor delays were

drastic--on his second birthday he had one sound (da) and couldn't

walk by himself. He just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and tested 4

years 6 months for expressive and receptive language--YEA!!! and seems

to have mostly lost the stutter almost as suddenly as it appeared. He

walks, climbs playground equipment, jumps a lot (finally) and wrestles

with his brothers but he STILL has never broken into a true run. He

loves to play chase, just doesn't really run. He had physical therapy

for 2 years and was discharged this fall. The therapist said,

" Well,we've tried everything I know. He will run when he's ready. "

The running is his only major delay left. I continue to work on

speech and some minor sensory and fine motor concerns but the running

just stumps me. Any suggestions? I am in awe of your " therapist

Mommy " achievements, and I have used a lot of your tactics for working

with my Aspie 11-year-old with major OT issues. Thanks for all your

contributions here.

>

.... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me? Start

young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most amazing

things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout their

life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop him

off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run the

remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

runners.....

[Guest guest]

,

What a change in your son from 2 years to 4 years! What do you think was the

biggest help for him? Was it a certain therapy or school, supplements? That is

so exciting!

Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

Janice, I can't imagine why I didn't think to ask this earlier, as

you

are obviously the right person, but exactly HOW would I go about

getting my child running? He has a diagnosis of apraxia and

dyspraxia but has done really well. Gross motor delays were

drastic--on his second birthday he had one sound (da) and couldn't

walk by himself. He just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and tested 4

years 6 months for expressive and receptive language--YEA! !! and seems

to have mostly lost the stutter almost as suddenly as it appeared. He

walks, climbs playground equipment, jumps a lot (finally) and wrestles

with his brothers but he STILL has never broken into a true run. He

loves to play chase, just doesn't really run. He had physical therapy

for 2 years and was discharged this fall. The therapist said,

" Well,we've tried everything I know. He will run when he's ready. "

The running is his only major delay left. I continue to work on

speech and some minor sensory and fine motor concerns but the running

just stumps me. Any suggestions? I am in awe of your " therapist

Mommy " achievements, and I have used a lot of your tactics for working

with my Aspie 11-year-old with major OT issues. Thanks for all your

contributions here.

>

.... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me? Start

young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most amazing

things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout their

life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop him

off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run the

remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

runners.....

<!--

#ygrp-mkp{

border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:14px 0px;padding:0px 14px;}

#ygrp-mkp hr{

border:1px solid #d8d8d8;}

#ygrp-mkp #hd{

color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:bold;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0px;}

#ygrp-mkp #ads{

margin-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-mkp .ad{

padding:0 0;}

#ygrp-mkp .ad a{

color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}

-->

<!--

#ygrp-sponsor #ygrp-lc{

font-family:Arial;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ygrp-lc #hd{

margin:10px 0px;font-weight:bold;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ygrp-lc .ad{

margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 0;}

-->

<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}

#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}

#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean,

sans-serif;}

#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}

#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}

#ygrp-text{

font-family:Georgia;

}

#ygrp-text p{

margin:0 0 1em 0;}

#ygrp-tpmsgs{

font-family:Arial;

clear:both;}

#ygrp-vitnav{

padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}

#ygrp-vitnav a{

padding:0 1px;}

#ygrp-actbar{

clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}

#ygrp-actbar .left{

float:left;white-space:nowrap;}

..bld{font-weight:bold;}

#ygrp-grft{

font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}

#ygrp-ft{

font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;

padding:5px 0;

}

#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{

padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{

background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}

#ygrp-vital #vithd{

font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:upp\

ercase;}

#ygrp-vital ul{

padding:0;margin:2px 0;}

#ygrp-vital ul li{

list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;

}

#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{

font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-ri\

ght:.5em;}

#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{

font-weight:bold;}

#ygrp-vital a{

text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{

text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{

color:#999;font-size:77%;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov{

padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{

padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{

list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{

text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}

#ygrp-sponsor #nc{

background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad{

padding:8px 0;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{

font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%\

;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{

text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{

text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{

margin:0;}

o{font-size:0;}

..MsoNormal{

margin:0 0 0 0;}

#ygrp-text tt{

font-size:120%;}

blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}

..replbq{margin:4;}

-->

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Looking for last minute shopping deals?

Find them fast with Search.

http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

[Guest guest]

,

I'm not Janice, but I have a son with Down Syndrome and our own experience with

all types of therapy,OT,PT ST since my son was three weeks old.

Getting the child to run, obviously after they are walking, improves their gait,

narrows their base stance and strengthens their core region, which we know is

needed for the speech.

Hold their hand at or below shoulder height, it's even better if there is

another person on the other side doing the same, and just start walking a bit

faster to get them to widen their stride. Just keep doing this and keep building

up the distance and how fast you are going over time.

My son isn't " running " yet but loves to do this exercise and " pretend " we are

racing.

Marie

Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

Janice, I can't imagine why I didn't think to ask this earlier, as you

are obviously the right person, but exactly HOW would I go about

getting my child running? He has a diagnosis of apraxia and

dyspraxia but has done really well. Gross motor delays were

drastic--on his second birthday he had one sound (da) and couldn't

walk by himself. He just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and tested 4

years 6 months for expressive and receptive language--YEA!!! and seems

to have mostly lost the stutter almost as suddenly as it appeared. He

walks, climbs playground equipment, jumps a lot (finally) and wrestles

with his brothers but he STILL has never broken into a true run. He

loves to play chase, just doesn't really run. He had physical therapy

for 2 years and was discharged this fall. The therapist said,

" Well,we've tried everything I know. He will run when he's ready. "

The running is his only major delay left. I continue to work on

speech and some minor sensory and fine motor concerns but the running

just stumps me. Any suggestions? I am in awe of your " therapist

Mommy " achievements, and I have used a lot of your tactics for working

with my Aspie 11-year-old with major OT issues. Thanks for all your

contributions here.

>

... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me? Start

young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most amazing

things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout their

life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop him

off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run the

remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

runners.....

[Guest guest]

If your boy is social..... I cannot list the benefits of preschool soccer....

the toddler and the 3 year old classes are wonderful for egging those young ones

on!

Basicly we need to have a 'good' walk before we can run. A good walk is one

where the arms swing naturally from side to side in a nice cross pattern. Our

kids don't often do this nice cross pattern. Now.... your boy is a little young

for this so you may have to work up to it.....

Try standing in one place and have him to a 'March' in place. Then have him

take his right hand and touch his left knee when the left knee comes up high.

And then when the right knee comes up, he is to slap it with his left hand.

Thus we want him standing in place performing a 'cross-march'. When you are

able, try to see if he can walk forward and march (high knees please) and

slap/tap each side with the opposing hand. Have him do this cross-pattern march

every day 2 times a day for 2 minutes each time. This will set up his

neurological connections to perform a run as well as everything else with

neurological efficiency. Cross pattern activity is essential to the brain.

After that..... well time to get out the other boys and get them to do their

job..... Motivation! I can remember over the years, things we struggled with

for what seemed like for ever and then one day..... some other kid would give

Mark the motivation he needed and there it happened.....

Try signing him up for everything right now..... coach pitch baseball, little

tykes soccer, moms & little ones swimming, you know what I mean..... all of the

cheap non-competitive community league activities that you can possibly

join..... DO IT! Because right now, kids don't judge all that much and your

child's brain is developing at lightening speeds. You want him working those

neuro connections every single day. He will lovingly do it if he has other kids

doing it to and it's non-judgemental but just kind of running around....

Stay away from all things competetive at this time for we want him to retain his

self esteem while working his body forward.

The change from little kids activities to actually becoming a runner takes place

in grade school through running club. When that day comes, have your child join

and encourage them to work-out and develop their stamina for the meets by

running in their neighborhood each day..... That's how we started.

Just some ideas for you...... good luck!

Janice

Mother of Mark, 13

[sPAM]Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

Janice, I can't imagine why I didn't think to ask this earlier, as you

are obviously the right person, but exactly HOW would I go about

getting my child running? He has a diagnosis of apraxia and

dyspraxia but has done really well. Gross motor delays were

drastic--on his second birthday he had one sound (da) and couldn't

walk by himself. He just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and tested 4

years 6 months for expressive and receptive language--YEA!!! and seems

to have mostly lost the stutter almost as suddenly as it appeared. He

walks, climbs playground equipment, jumps a lot (finally) and wrestles

with his brothers but he STILL has never broken into a true run. He

loves to play chase, just doesn't really run. He had physical therapy

for 2 years and was discharged this fall. The therapist said,

" Well,we've tried everything I know. He will run when he's ready. "

The running is his only major delay left. I continue to work on

speech and some minor sensory and fine motor concerns but the running

just stumps me. Any suggestions? I am in awe of your " therapist

Mommy " achievements, and I have used a lot of your tactics for working

with my Aspie 11-year-old with major OT issues. Thanks for all your

contributions here.

>

... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me? Start

young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most amazing

things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout their

life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop him

off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run the

remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

runners.....

[Guest guest]

Awesome approach!

In addition.... I just wanted to add a comment. For quite a long time... years

even, Mark was unable to stop from a run. In order to stop he had to fall

forward on to his knees. At the time I thought he was just clumsy but was

informed that he was actually using the fall to come out of a run and to stop.

I wonder how many of the little ones are doing this as well? Just curious.....

Janice

Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

Janice, I can't imagine why I didn't think to ask this earlier, as you

are obviously the right person, but exactly HOW would I go about

getting my child running? He has a diagnosis of apraxia and

dyspraxia but has done really well. Gross motor delays were

drastic--on his second birthday he had one sound (da) and couldn't

walk by himself. He just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and tested 4

years 6 months for expressive and receptive language--YEA!!! and seems

to have mostly lost the stutter almost as suddenly as it appeared. He

walks, climbs playground equipment, jumps a lot (finally) and wrestles

with his brothers but he STILL has never broken into a true run. He

loves to play chase, just doesn't really run. He had physical therapy

for 2 years and was discharged this fall. The therapist said,

" Well,we've tried everything I know. He will run when he's ready. "

The running is his only major delay left. I continue to work on

speech and some minor sensory and fine motor concerns but the running

just stumps me. Any suggestions? I am in awe of your " therapist

Mommy " achievements, and I have used a lot of your tactics for working

with my Aspie 11-year-old with major OT issues. Thanks for all your

contributions here.

>

... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me? Start

young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most amazing

things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout their

life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop him

off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run the

remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

runners.....

[Guest guest]

Interesting. I think Charlie can stop from running but I will double check.

I recall a couple of nights ago him literally running through the house

saying, " running, running, running " as he went. But let me check tomorrow.

What I will tell you is that he drives this little jeep that he inherited

from a family friend around our culde-sac and when I tell him to stop, he

does just that. Andy and I say to ourselves, motor planning issue? Doesnt

look like it with the jeep.

Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

Awesome approach!

In addition.... I just wanted to add a comment. For quite a long time...

years even, Mark was unable to stop from a run. In order to stop he had to

fall forward on to his knees. At the time I thought he was just clumsy but

was informed that he was actually using the fall to come out of a run and to

stop.

I wonder how many of the little ones are doing this as well? Just

curious.....

Janice

Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

Janice, I can't imagine why I didn't think to ask this earlier, as you

are obviously the right person, but exactly HOW would I go about

getting my child running? He has a diagnosis of apraxia and

dyspraxia but has done really well. Gross motor delays were

drastic--on his second birthday he had one sound (da) and couldn't

walk by himself. He just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and tested 4

years 6 months for expressive and receptive language--YEA!!! and seems

to have mostly lost the stutter almost as suddenly as it appeared. He

walks, climbs playground equipment, jumps a lot (finally) and wrestles

with his brothers but he STILL has never broken into a true run. He

loves to play chase, just doesn't really run. He had physical therapy

for 2 years and was discharged this fall. The therapist said,

" Well,we've tried everything I know. He will run when he's ready. "

The running is his only major delay left. I continue to work on

speech and some minor sensory and fine motor concerns but the running

just stumps me. Any suggestions? I am in awe of your " therapist

Mommy " achievements, and I have used a lot of your tactics for working

with my Aspie 11-year-old with major OT issues. Thanks for all your

contributions here.

>

.... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me? Start

young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most amazing

things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout their

life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop him

off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run the

remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

runners.....

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all of the therapy ideas.....We're pretty active, and my son does

lots of running, climbing, etc.....but I'm going to make a point of focusing on

these things even more; especially more structured activities.

To me, it's obvious that he has motor planning issues. I've already mentioned

the oral issues.....he also has issues with jumping. For example, when he

jumps, the left foot comes off of the floor before the right. The OT pointed

this out -- which is consistent with the weakness on his right side.

SO the big question still remains.....why can't I get a real diagnosis for him.

I'm so afraid he'll fall through the cracks. EI thinks I'm crazy, and

constantly reminds me that he looks GREAT!! His birthmother has many, many,

MANY neurological issues and I'm terrified that he'll end up like her. I want

to prevent this from happening. Is there trend to " not diagnose " children??

** I have a friend that I met through his speech therapist. Her son is clearly

dyspraxic, and he still has no diagnosis and receives less speech therapy than

my son.

My son's speech therapist is leaning toward a phonological diagnosis at this

point. The supplements and my additional at-home-therapy have made a tremendous

impact on his development. The OT definitely sees motor planning issues, the

speech therapist sees characteristics of apraxia.....are we on the right track??

I truly appreciate your help. It helps me feel a little less CRAZY

** Supplementing my son's speech therapy has been pretty easy for me.....I now

see that I need to step up the at home OT stuff. I'm considering NACD, too.

@...: jscott@...: Sat, 26

Jan 2008 16:01:38 -0800Subject: Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia

Diagnosis

If your boy is social..... I cannot list the benefits of preschool soccer....

the toddler and the 3 year old classes are wonderful for egging those young ones

on! Basicly we need to have a 'good' walk before we can run. A good walk is one

where the arms swing naturally from side to side in a nice cross pattern. Our

kids don't often do this nice cross pattern. Now.... your boy is a little young

for this so you may have to work up to it.....Try standing in one place and have

him to a 'March' in place. Then have him take his right hand and touch his left

knee when the left knee comes up high. And then when the right knee comes up, he

is to slap it with his left hand. Thus we want him standing in place performing

a 'cross-march'. When you are able, try to see if he can walk forward and march

(high knees please) and slap/tap each side with the opposing hand. Have him do

this cross-pattern march every day 2 times a day for 2 minutes each time. This

will set up his neurological connections to perform a run as well as everything

else with neurological efficiency. Cross pattern activity is essential to the

brain.After that..... well time to get out the other boys and get them to do

their job..... Motivation! I can remember over the years, things we struggled

with for what seemed like for ever and then one day..... some other kid would

give Mark the motivation he needed and there it happened.....Try signing him up

for everything right now..... coach pitch baseball, little tykes soccer, moms &

little ones swimming, you know what I mean..... all of the cheap non-competitive

community league activities that you can possibly join..... DO IT! Because right

now, kids don't judge all that much and your child's brain is developing at

lightening speeds. You want him working those neuro connections every single

day. He will lovingly do it if he has other kids doing it to and it's

non-judgemental but just kind of running around....Stay away from all things

competetive at this time for we want him to retain his self esteem while working

his body forward. The change from little kids activities to actually becoming a

runner takes place in grade school through running club. When that day comes,

have your child join and encourage them to work-out and develop their stamina

for the meets by running in their neighborhood each day..... That's how we

started.Just some ideas for you...... good luck!JaniceMother of Mark, 13-----

Original Message ----- From: wombatacre

Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:40 AMSubject: [sPAM]Re:

[sPAM][ ] Apraxia DiagnosisJanice, I can't imagine why I

didn't think to ask this earlier, as youare obviously the right person, but

exactly HOW would I go aboutgetting my child running? He has a diagnosis of

apraxia anddyspraxia but has done really well. Gross motor delays

weredrastic--on his second birthday he had one sound (da) and couldn'twalk by

himself. He just turned 4 a couple weeks ago and tested 4years 6 months for

expressive and receptive language--YEA!!! and seemsto have mostly lost the

stutter almost as suddenly as it appeared. Hewalks, climbs playground equipment,

jumps a lot (finally) and wrestleswith his brothers but he STILL has never

broken into a true run. Heloves to play chase, just doesn't really run. He had

physical therapyfor 2 years and was discharged this fall. The therapist

said, " Well,we've tried everything I know. He will run when he's ready. " The

running is his only major delay left. I continue to work onspeech and some minor

sensory and fine motor concerns but the runningjust stumps me. Any suggestions?

I am in awe of your " therapistMommy " achievements, and I have used a lot of your

tactics for workingwith my Aspie 11-year-old with major OT issues. Thanks for

all yourcontributions here.>... Then they like to get our type of kids

running. This isimperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me?

Startyoung and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner! Okay....

maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most amazingthings we can get our

kids doing and to keep doing throughout theirlife as they get older. Mark just

doesn't have a choice. I drop himoff a mile from home when the weather is fine

and he has to run theremainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the

bestoutcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildlyaffected of

children all have the best prognosis when they arerunners..... [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed]

_________________________________________________________________

Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser!

http://biggestloser.msn.com/

[Guest guest]

Janice: I think used to do this.

: What a great story of hope.

> >

> ... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

> imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me?

Start

> young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

> Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most

amazing

> things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout

their

> life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop

him

> off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run

the

> remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

> outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

> affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

> runners.....

>

>

[Guest guest]

Actually, I used to ski like this (LOL)

> > >

> > ... Then they like to get our type of kids running. This is

> > imperative for our kids to work up to..... anyone hearing me?

> Start

> > young and Brainwash your kid into wanting to become a runner!

> > Okay.... maybe not brainwash but running is one of the most

> amazing

> > things we can get our kids doing and to keep doing throughout

> their

> > life as they get older. Mark just doesn't have a choice. I drop

> him

> > off a mile from home when the weather is fine and he has to run

> the

> > remainder of the distance! (Evil mom!) The kids with the best

> > outcomes from the extremely severely affected to the most mildly

> > affected of children all have the best prognosis when they are

> > runners.....

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you Janice and Marie for your very good tips. We have followed

both of these strategies and will continue to do more sports, more

pulling him beyond his natural speed, and encourage the chase action.

(He can stop normally even from that superfast walk/trot he calls

running.) I watch it every day thinking surely he will break into a

run today, but so far no dice. But that's okay, he will do it. It

has been such a joy watching this little boy come alive.

What has helped him most? The swimming pool! He has been lucky in

having 2 great therapists who were willing to teach me a lot, as well

as to work beautifully with him, and he is a big responder to fish

oil, vitamin E, and some other supplements but I swear by pool therapy

for all-around miracle working. In the summer I spend maybe 30-40

hours a week in the neighborhood pool with him working on all the

stuff I can think of. Not in a way that he feels like he's in therapy,

of course, but just like out of the water when you do constant therapy

with whistles, horns, bubbles, songs, word games, ball games, hand

games...you all know the drill. In the water he can feel his body in

a way that he can't out of it. All the sensory input helps him

organize his nervous system somehow. Way before he could talk or even

babble he would start to " sing " after a few minutes in the pool. So

that's where I would have him try to model mouth movements and

sounds--la, ba, etc. and he could do it! We went on from there to

all the sounds and words and musical tones and bubbles/motorboat

noises, songs, and everything I could come up with. We even worked on

getting those little fingers to sign, back when he needed to

communicate that way. It was amazing to see how he could learn new

gross motor and oral motor stuff easily in the water that he made no

progress with on land. We hang out on the steps and kick behind us,

or in front of us, or push up on our arms, or climb the steps or hang

from the bar or play " swimmy arms. " He took his first steps in the

baby pool feeling the water whoosh past his legs out of the pump.

His brothers join him in the baby pool to have " baby races " where they

all lie in the shallow water and pull themselves across the pool with

their arms. I supported him while he learned to hold onto the side

and move hand over hand all the way down the length of the big pool

and figure out how to manage the corners. Now he can do it himself,

and I'm sure it helps upper body and core strength. I pull him around

in a baby boat/floaty thing or a flotation vest where his legs hang

down and he can kick them, and lean his body to propel himself or spin

around and just feel the water move him. I think this fine tunes the

vestibular system. He climbs the ladders, and before he could climb

stairs or jump we did tons of it in the pool. His buoyancy let him

work on the motor coordination of the actions before he had the

strength to perform them in regular gravity. By last summer he was

swimming underwater and then on top of the water, but I never got him

able to pick up his head to breathe.

Being in the water allows us to address all of his issues at

once-hypotonia, oral motor, gross motor, sensory integration, and

speech of course. The effects speech effects last for a couple hours

after we get out. If we come home from the pool for speech therapy

his SLP is blown away by the increased articulation and complexity of

his speech, and by his good prosody and the way he can focus for as

long as she asks him to. Some of it makes sense to me, and some

doesn't--Why would it have that much of an effect on organizing his

system, but only temporarily?--but I'm very grateful to have access

and time to use it. In my dreams I get him a pool at home, with a

dome so he can use it all year long. There would be no stopping the

kid then, I'm sure. And he still sings as soon as he gets in.

Therapy is important, supplements are huge, siblings are great to push

the speech and motor skills while having fun, but the pool is

unbeatable. I beg anyone who can find one to give her apraxic child

a some time in the water.

-- In , " ilizzy03 " <lizlaw@...> wrote:

>

> Actually, I used to ski like this (LOL)

[Guest guest]

,

I don't know where you live but I have two other items that I have found really

provided Mark with a lot of sensory feedback over the years. #1 is the

trampoline which a lot of moms have. and the 2nd one has been a real lifesaver

though you would think the opposite.... snow skiing.... yes, it is true. I have

been castigated for allowing my dyspraxic boy to snow ski but even during his

'worst' dyspraxic of times, skiing brought my kid 'alive'.

For some reason, Mark could 'feel' himself on skiis. He gets a lot of sensory

feedback so he can really do the motor planning quite easily. I cannot explain

it for I had started him skiing at the age of 3.... well before he ever had a

motor planning diagnosis. But he is the same way in the water and on the

kneeboard. He is absolutely NT and can hang on to that rope like a pro. He has

always been able to get up on the kneeboard and cut through the waves like a

champion. Of course, the minute he would get off he would trip into the

campfire!

But it was beauty in motion to see him in the water and on the snow. I don't

know the reason for it but I do know that it works for him. He can also do

go-carting quite well too (I was expecting major crashes) but something in the

way the steering wheel vibrates.... tugs at his abilities and he can do it

easily.

Our kids seem to do well at the jolting, high vibration types of activities. I

see it with Mark over and over again. Things that should be easy are hard and

things that should be hard are easy.... if his muscles are highly stimulated

then he turns on and tunes in. Perhaps that is why horseback riding is a winner

as well.... lots of sensory feedback.

We are actually planning a 4 day ski trip to Park City the next time we go to

NACD. Mark is pouring over the resorts, looking at all of the runs he wants to

do! I need to start a running program myself if I am going to keep up with the

kids!

Janice

Mother of Mark, 13

[sPAM]Re: [sPAM][ ] Apraxia Diagnosis

Thank you Janice and Marie for your very good tips. We have followed

both of these strategies and will continue to do more sports, more

pulling him beyond his natural speed, and encourage the chase action.

(He can stop normally even from that superfast walk/trot he calls

running.) I watch it every day thinking surely he will break into a

run today, but so far no dice. But that's okay, he will do it. It

has been such a joy watching this little boy come alive.

What has helped him most? The swimming pool! He has been lucky in

having 2 great therapists who were willing to teach me a lot, as well

as to work beautifully with him, and he is a big responder to fish

oil, vitamin E, and some other supplements but I swear by pool therapy

for all-around miracle working. In the summer I spend maybe 30-40

hours a week in the neighborhood pool with him working on all the

stuff I can think of. Not in a way that he feels like he's in therapy,

of course, but just like out of the water when you do constant therapy

with whistles, horns, bubbles, songs, word games, ball games, hand

games...you all know the drill. In the water he can feel his body in

a way that he can't out of it. All the sensory input helps him

organize his nervous system somehow. Way before he could talk or even

babble he would start to " sing " after a few minutes in the pool. So

that's where I would have him try to model mouth movements and

sounds--la, ba, etc. and he could do it! We went on from there to

all the sounds and words and musical tones and bubbles/motorboat

noises, songs, and everything I could come up with. We even worked on

getting those little fingers to sign, back when he needed to

communicate that way. It was amazing to see how he could learn new

gross motor and oral motor stuff easily in the water that he made no

progress with on land. We hang out on the steps and kick behind us,

or in front of us, or push up on our arms, or climb the steps or hang

from the bar or play " swimmy arms. " He took his first steps in the

baby pool feeling the water whoosh past his legs out of the pump.

His brothers join him in the baby pool to have " baby races " where they

all lie in the shallow water and pull themselves across the pool with

their arms. I supported him while he learned to hold onto the side

and move hand over hand all the way down the length of the big pool

and figure out how to manage the corners. Now he can do it himself,

and I'm sure it helps upper body and core strength. I pull him around

in a baby boat/floaty thing or a flotation vest where his legs hang

down and he can kick them, and lean his body to propel himself or spin

around and just feel the water move him. I think this fine tunes the

vestibular system. He climbs the ladders, and before he could climb

stairs or jump we did tons of it in the pool. His buoyancy let him

work on the motor coordination of the actions before he had the

strength to perform them in regular gravity. By last summer he was

swimming underwater and then on top of the water, but I never got him

able to pick up his head to breathe.

Being in the water allows us to address all of his issues at

once-hypotonia, oral motor, gross motor, sensory integration, and

speech of course. The effects speech effects last for a couple hours

after we get out. If we come home from the pool for speech therapy

his SLP is blown away by the increased articulation and complexity of

his speech, and by his good prosody and the way he can focus for as

long as she asks him to. Some of it makes sense to me, and some

doesn't--Why would it have that much of an effect on organizing his

system, but only temporarily?--but I'm very grateful to have access

and time to use it. In my dreams I get him a pool at home, with a

dome so he can use it all year long. There would be no stopping the

kid then, I'm sure. And he still sings as soon as he gets in.

Therapy is important, supplements are huge, siblings are great to push

the speech and motor skills while having fun, but the pool is

unbeatable. I beg anyone who can find one to give her apraxic child

a some time in the water.

-- In , " ilizzy03 " <lizlaw@...> wrote:

>

> Actually, I used to ski like this (LOL)

[Guest guest]

Janice,

I swear this has something to do with the ears. I am somewhat of a

savant on skiss, in the water and playing pool of all things. Yet

elsewhere, progress is spotty, including by the campfire:)

Liz

> >

> > Actually, I used to ski like this (LOL)

>

>

>

>

>