Speech Apriexa?

[Doug]

Hello,

Can anyone give me any info on this?

is it a form of autisum? any Docs in Denver

that can help?

Thanks

Tracie

[tpotter]

Apraxia is an absence of motor planning. Actually, the better term is probably dyspraxia, because I assume you are referring to "difficulty" with motor planning. Dyspraxia occurs when a person has difficulty figuring out "how" to do something. There are different kinds. One, for instance would be if you had a cup of water in front of you, and couldn't figure out how to get it to your mouth to drink from it (ever). Another kind would be if the cup was there, and someone told you to drink the water, you couldn't figure out how to do it. But, if no one told you to drink the water, and you were thirsty, you would do it automatically.

 

Now, apply that to speech. You can't figure out how to say certain words. Depending on the type of dyspraxia, the same would apply:

 

Either:

 

1) you could never figure out how to say the words or

2) if someone told you to say something, you can't, but if it's automatic, you can.

 

 

It is not a form of autism, but it is caused by a problem with the brain (you might see it in Autism, stroke, brain injury, etc.)

 

This is something a Speech Therapist would work with.

[Doug]

Apraxia is an absence of motor planning. Actually, the better term is probably dyspraxia, because I assume you are referring to "difficulty" with motor planning. Dyspraxia occurs when a person has difficulty figuring out "how" to do something. There are different kinds. One, for instance would be if you had a cup of water in front of you, and couldn't figure out how to get it to your mouth to drink from it (ever). Another kind would be if the cup was there, and someone told you to drink the water, you couldn't figure out how to do it. But, if no one told you to drink the water, and you were thirsty, you would do it automatically.

 

Now, apply that to speech. You can't figure out how to say certain words. Depending on the type of dyspraxia, the same would apply:

 

Either:

 

1) you could never figure out how to say the words or

2) if someone told you to say something, you can't, but if it's automatic, you can.

 

 

It is not a form of autism, but it is caused by a problem with the brain (you might see it in Autism, stroke, brain injury, etc.)

 

This is something a Speech Therapist would work with.

Thanks,that is what I have read to,

we are on the PANDAS forum for our dd but this is for my neice

she has a 2 year old son who has this..

Our kids can't win anymore!! if it's not one thing it is another

I guess as the saying goes God only gives us what we can handle..

I hope a speech Therapist can help him,he can't say nothing as of right now

Tracie

Edited May 24, 2010 by Doug

[tpotter]

If he's only 2 years old, have your sister/brother? call the local Early Intervention agency. Since, I don't know what state you are in, I can't give you more details, but you should be able to get the information either from the phone book (look under Early Intervention), maybe the Dept. of Health or the Dept. of Education. They will do a complete evaluation (looking at other possible areas of need, as well.) When treated early, many problems found in young children (including speech) do get dramatically better, if not completely resolve. The key is early treatment, and that is the goal behind Early Intervention. The brain is still "plastic" at this age, and there is so much that can be done to change the way it functions. Trust me...it's not hopeless (I work in Early Intervention as an OT), and I have seen plenty of kids get better. Good luck.

[jstone]

Sorry I am late responding. I just joined the forum recently.

I recommend you and/or your family members get the book by Pam Marshalla called Becoming Verbal with Childhood Apraxia.

We always look for a silver lining right? One silver lining that we learned after receiving our son's diagnosis of Apraxia/Dyspraxia (our son also has an Autism diagnosis) is that the Aprax/Dysprax diagnosis is a medical diagnosis and so you now have a position, which your pedi should be able to support in a letter, that any services your niece needs are medically necessary and therefore much easier to get covered by insurance. I wish you and your family the best of luck.