Speech Challenges

[Guest guest]

I would like to get some input regarding our son's unique speech

challenges. Some background:

He had about 50 words at age 2, major regression at 2.4, lost all

speech, started babbling and showing other autistic symptoms.

Between 2.4 and 3 we worked with him using floortime, PRT and

variety of techiques. By age 3, he re-acquired the lost words and

added some more.

He is now close to being 4. In the past 1 year, he continues to use

single words even though we (and his therapists) have used all the

standard techniques to help him combine.

He is unable to say 2 words together. He will say " shoe " or " off "

but will not put them together (even after 1 year of trying hard).

Also he is inconsistent with his single words, on some days, he

does great, others, he has trouble retrieving the right word.

Due to his difficulty with combining, poor enunciation and

sequencing challenges, we are suspecting that he has apraxia

(besides autism). We are now looking for oral motor therapists.

Questions:

If this is an oral motor issue, does one outgrow it?

Does oral motor therapy help?

Has anyone been (or is) in this situation? What helped and didn't?

Any recommendations on therapists?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

Satya