Re: Re: Dysarthria question

[Guest guest]

I think we're sort of in the same category.  Not diagnosed necessarily though

every report mentions the hypotonic tongue, just not as a separate thing to be

addressed. But it's pretty clear that the more words she starts saying, the more

the slurring is an issue. 

I guess I never thought about addressing the specific tongue issue in therapy

before, but her hypotonic tongue is a clear sign that her tongue could also be

impeding speech. It has been present since birth, history of poor nursing, and

still holds it slightly at the edge of her lips when in relaxed play or

concentrating.  I just thought of it as  a " soft sign " like her slight toe

walking, but it's most likely another speech impediment separate and apart from

the apraxia and should be addressed. What exercises does your child do for this?

Thank you.

-Elena

From: debjward <debjward@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Dysarthria question

Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 7:11 PM

My son has dysarthria in addition to apraxia and hypotonia in his

tongue (and arms and legs).

My understanding is that the apraxia makes it difficult for his brain

to tell his mouth muscles to move.

The dysarthria makes his speech sound slurred or unclear much like

elderly stroke victims.

>

> I just found out one of the side effects of my 4 year old son's

> medication is dysarthia. Now I wonder how much of his problem is

> apraxia vs a medication side effect. I have a call into his SLP to

get

> her opinion. has been on Depakote for 2.5 years, so he wasn't

> even speaking before using the medication.

>

> Has anyone had any experience with dysarthria? Is it easy to

> distinguish from apraxia?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

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