Verbal Apraxia

[daydream**believer]

Was told last week that my son has verbal apraxia.

He is 3 in 2 weeks and i knew there was a problem, just been tracking down the right place to help us.

His vocabulary consists of only 4 words.

I kept being told....

"Ohh' he'll talk when hes ready"

"His older siblings probably do all the talking for him"

"Maybe hes just got nothing he needs to say yet"

But i knew there was a problem. Now we will be starting intensive speech therapy as soon as we can get a spot

Has anyone else had a child with verbal apraxia? Im a bit overwhelmed by it all

[lakeland27]

 well having the speech therapist at an early age is a big positive , he's lucky to have such a good mother too.

 i'm not sure the mothers age is a factor either, as his mother is (or was) quite a bit younger .

[cherry*135]

It is good you have been able to find the cause of Hayden not speaking a lot. I hope you can get the assistance you need.

[punch*drunk]

Its good that you're getting help early....my son had delayed speech due to needing gromets. When he was at kinder they suggested just waiting til he was at school because they would provide a speech therapist for him....the usual speech therapist saw him twice, then went on holidays, the relief one saw him twice and then the usual one returned and after one more visit decided he was fine. But he wasnt.

I wish I'd pursued it earler and pehaps even when they decided he didnt need it, he still has a bit of a problem communicating at 14yo, not always, and not as bad,but its definitely still there. I think its created a shyness/lack of confidence that he may not have had otherwise.

[izabsmiling]

Hi DDB, In answer to your question in the OP.I have 

Early on us learning and teaching him basis makaton (as we were instructed by professionals who know their stuff) helped a lot to relieve the frustration for him and us.The words came later and with a bit of work..but they did come .Have you done any reading about it ?

[daydream**believer]

lots of reading iza.

Have never heard of makaton

[izabsmiling]

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@daydream**believer wrote:

lots of reading iza.

Have never heard of makaton

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It may have been replaced by Auslan now ..I don't know .I'm going back to our experiences which where in the late 1990's.

Apraxia And Baby Sign Language

http://www.australianbabyhands.com/blog/baby-sign-language-articles/apraxia-and-baby-sign-language/#...

[izabsmiling]

This is a better link imo.The professionals working with you and your son will assess what is best for for him 

http://www.bilby.net/AboutSignLanguage.asp

my own son doesn't remember much....he does remember the sign for 'biscuit' though as do his brothers lol

[daydream**believer]

thx for the links Iza. Will have a good look at them

[izabsmiling]

This site may be of interest too 

http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/lobbying-a-advocacy/national-inquiry

[izabsmiling]

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@daydream**believer wrote:

maine, i went through that as well. A big cry wondering if it was my fault as i had him later in life (i was 38).

I still wonder if that was the reason, even though all the information says they know no reason what causes this.

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Daydream we can all do that and in a lot of ways even without the 'Mum/Dad factor' which will often look for fault in 'us' society can tend to make us feel as though we are to blame when the children we love are not as they see as 'the ideal' .Tell those thoughts and those attitudes where to go !

My son (no 2)was born a bit early. and was a bit of a light weight.it was a traumatic birth .An emergency C section which was performed only just in time for him and apparently possibly the both of us.His skin was purple,he didn't breath or cry for about 4min then had a low agpar score.He needed immediate intensive care .

I have felt what you feel .Even if this is LATER found to be due to the above or age related (note you were only 38) or whatever ...it does our children and ourselves no good to blame ourselves .