My son was recently told he most likely has Apraxia of speech. My son is 22 months old and only says 3 words. At one time he said 6 but he has lost 3 of those now. This new news is very upsetting to me so please be kind with your answers. Do you have any experience with this disorder? Can you tell me signs or symptoms? My son will start speech therapy soon, how quickly does that help? Please help, I know nothing about this. I have read online but want real peoples info instead of online info.
thank you.
2007-02-08 09:08:52 · 5 answers · asked by manda 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
First of all let me say that I understand just what you are going through. My son has Autism and like your son, he had some words and then he went backwards with it loosing some of the words, that was the first sign and I did not pick up on it. I know how dishearting this is and you need help not hendrence.
There is a group called Shadow Syndrome Children on line it is a yahoo group, I am a member, and it is very helpful for mild problems like this. You will find lots of people who are very supportive and there children have various learning dissabilities including Apraxia. I hope that this helps you.
2007-02-08 13:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by trhwsh 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would not get too worked up about a 22 month old not saying too much. Have him evaulated by more then one speech therapist, please. Your pediatrician should have given you the name of someone to see, but you need to find another person, on your own, and maybe pay cash for a second evaluation.
One evaluation resulted in them wating to see my son 3 times a week for 6 months to start.
The previous evaluation was great - she had her masters degree and was a teacher at a local university. She said "leave this office and don't ever tell anyone you were here. Your son will get labelled, and when he does start talking he'll still have the label."
Six months later my son talks so much he even blabs in his sleep. Give him some time, and try not to get freaked out. The most important things: does your son understand you? does he follow simple commands? can he communicate on any level about wanting food or a toy? He could have an expressive speech delay, and even that is just a delay which is overcome with time.
My husband never babbled. His first words were, "Mommy, I want shrimp for dinner" Considering my husband was a late talker, and used complete sentences, we were sure my son would be fine. And he is fine. And uses very complex complete sentences that are pretty advanced for a 3 year old. And to think I cried about it!
If we have another boy I won't bat an eye at late talking, I'll just get ready for complete sentences about rockets, cocoons, humming birds and dinosaurs!
2007-02-08 09:42:19 · answer #2 · answered by wwhrd 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hi there... i am in a similar boat to you.. i have a beautiful almost 3 yo son... he just started saying words about 10 days ago... it was first thought that he had apraxia but, was found out in nov, that hes Autistic...
from the way it was described to me, Apraxia of speech, is where the brain doesnt send teh write directions to themuscles of the face, so the muscles dont know what shape to be in to make sounds...
speech therapy is a great thing..but theres no way to tell how quick your son will take to it... depends on his moods, on the therapist, and on the relationship that your son and the ST have.. my son loves his speech therapist... but it can go either way...
definatley try to get another opinion, and have them test for Autism also, because if he were to have Autism like my son, the quicker you get started on treatment, the better....
feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or if you just need to talk!
2007-02-08 10:02:50 · answer #3 · answered by asailorsstar 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a disorder that prevents children from pronouncing words correctly. It's beleived to neurological. These children need a lot of speech therapy. The prognosis depends on how severe of apraxia the child has. If they have a really bad case of it they will need alternative ways of communicating such as signing, or assisted technology.
2007-02-08 09:36:30 · answer #4 · answered by Melissa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son was also diagnosed with speech apraxia around 2 yrs old. You need to be sure to take him to a professional. They can advise things to do at home and then you can bring up the cards you have.
2016-05-23 22:30:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋