Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Revisiting Apraxia

Early Intervention Speech Therapy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:11:19 GMT

Every few days or so, I read through recent comments posted throughout the blog and attempt to address

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Catherine — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:53:10 GMT

I just found your website today. My daughter just turned 4 and has not been diagnosed with CAS formally. Her speech therapist is using the same techniques that she would with a child that has been diagnosed with CAS. I've been told that she is too young to be tested, but it could be a possibility. I feel so lost. I feel as though there is more that I can do for her. Right now, I am her voice. It breaks my heart when children walk up to her and ask her a question and she doesnt respond with much but a "hi" and a smile. I live in Dallas County are there any support groups around here? I feel like there is more that I could/should be doing for her.

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

sharon — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:03:32 GMT

I am looking for a family support group for my great-grandson who lives in tucson,arizona.He is six years old and has speech apraxia.My grand-daughter and daughter have not had any luck in finding a support group they could meet with. I am hoping you can help me Thank YOU.

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Laura — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:44:40 GMT

My 3 year old little angel boy has CAP. His speech pathologist is confident that while others may think he is autistic, that is just

apraxia alone. His Pediatrician has always said he wasn't autistic as well. He says Mama, and a few other small words. He does alot of imitating sounds. Lately my husband and I have noticed he opens his mouth really wide as if he is trying to get some sounds to come..sometimes you can see him attempting a word but he just mouths it. I guess I was looking for input on all of the teaching DVDs that are out there. They are very expensive, and I would buy them ALL in a hearbeat if I knew or thought they would help him improve his language skills. He has never been a tantrum throwing kid, but lately he has had a few pretty good 15-20 minute episodes. I think he is starting to get frustrated with not being able to communicate.

He has always been very into books and reading. Since he can't talk, he has tought himself language through spelling.

Anyone have any advice or ideas that may help him?

I want him to be able to tell me he loves me-so bad!

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

DENISE CHALLACOMBE — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:23:14 GMT

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A SUPPORT GROUP FOR APRAXIA OF SPEECH BECAUSE MY LITTLE BOY WHO WILL TURN 5 ON AUGUST 30TH HAS APRAXIA OF SPEECH AND HE JUST TURN 2 WHEN HE STARTED SPEECH THERAPY. HE HAS IMPROVED GREATLY BUT WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS HOW LONG DOES IT USUALLY TAKE FOR THE KIDS TO REALLY START TALKING.MICHAEL HAS BEEN GOING TO SEAPCO AT DUNLAP SCHOOL AND HE HAS SPEECH THERAPY THERE. MY QUESTION IS WHAT ELSE CAN WE BE DOING TO HELP HIM WITH HIS SPEECH.THANK YOU DENISE CHALLACOMBE FROM BRIMFIELD,IL

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Susan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:28:28 GMT

I've only just found your website & already it is giving me hope I was unsure of finding! My grandson lives with me, as do his parents, hes an exceptionally bright little guy, he just uses so few words, yet he picks up sign language quickly. We've been to

Doctors & Specialists and only just recently have they put a name to what is causing his delay in speech. So of course we've all headed to the internet seeking information & help. Just what I've seen so far I feel your site may be the place we have been looking for all along. Thank you so much for providing this for those of us out here floundering for a way to help our children. And BLESS YOU!!

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Karin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:20:33 GMT

I think you´ve done a great work to spreed knowledge about apraxia of speech. I hope your work will spread to Europe, where this type of organisation does not exist. In Sweden there are a lot of children still not without a diagnos and with the result of not getting correct treatment. I`m a mother of a child with CAS and it´s been difficult to get a diagnos and to get information about this.

I´m studing to become SLP to learn more about CAS, but think that the issue of motor learning is undervalued. The principles of motor learning in a developmental perspective are not fully understood in todays examine and treatment.

But we struggle on to more knowledge and better treatment for our children and their familys.

Karin, Sweden

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Susan Hoyle — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:55:24 GMT

I cannot express how our family felt that day our SLP said "your daughter has moderate to severe apraxia." I did not even know what that was! Got online immediately and found the apraxia-kids website and can I say the rest is history! I cannot begin to tell you, Sharon, how you have saved so many kids in this country! Because of this website, you and the countless parents who have responded to my questions through the listserv, our Brittany is 100% intelligible in her speech!! I can remember crying one day and wondering if I would ever carry on a conversation with my daughter...EVER!! Well, that has come to pass and now she is 9 and we go out to lunch and talk about her day!! What can I say! You have changed lives. You and all the people of CASANA empowered me to learn everything I could about this disorder, take that information to my IEP team and teach them. Because of that, I now have an IEP team who truly understand apraxia and how to help Brittany in the years to come with any learning challenges that come our way!

Thank you Sharon and your CASANA team!!!

Susan Hoyle

Mom to Brittany (now 9)

Columbia, MO

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Nancy — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:29:56 GMT

I have followed this website over the years and it is truly amazing how sophisticated it has become. Congratulations for developing a resource that is of so much value to everyone interested in CAS. I would like to comment on frequency of therapy. I think far more important than frequency is finding an experienced, proficient SLP. When progress is slow or non-existent, it is tempting to think that "more is better." I have been treating young children with motor speech disorders, many with CAS for many years. I rarely see anyone for more than one hour a week. Children with cognition within the broad normal range have all acquired normal speech. So, parents who can't afford intensive therapy should not be discouraged but focus on the quality and success of the therapist.

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

susan caretti — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:10:19 GMT

Sharon, Fantatic interview! Thanks for all your work with CASANA & Apraxia-Kids.

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Pat — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:55:38 GMT

It is almost beyond imagination what has come about from Sharon's

founding of CASANA. I am so grateful, Sharon, that you continue

this work. This is the most professional and helpful site in existance for dispensing information, support, and updates on current research

in this field. My family, especially my special grandson, has benefitted

so much from CASANNA, as have so many others. Thank you so much!

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Isabelle Kidd — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:33:03 GMT

Thank you Thank you.

I remember the day when my son ST stated these words "I think he as apraxia. "I went on line that same night and found you (thank you god). I Cry just think about it. Because of you and the information on the website. I fought for more speech time and my insurance payed for it. My son was only say two to three words that other could understand. Now he is talking sentences . That most people can understand. He still has a long way to go . But with his fighting heart and his parents and Aprexia.org . HE WILL HAVE A VOICE AND PEOPLE WILL HEAR IT.

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Gill — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:11:41 GMT

If Sharon had never started the apraxia-kids website and I hadn't stumbled across it during a GOOGLE search, my daughter wouldn't be where she is today, verbally, emotionally or academically.

My daughter who was non-verbal at 4 years old can chatter away happily and at 9 years is now being educated in a foreign language. Apraxia-kids doesn't only give hope, but it empowers parents by equipping them with the confidence and information needed to ensure that their children learn to speak and meet their full potential. Quite simply, Sharon and apraxia-kids change lives and to us parents of apraxic kids, that is a very big deal. Thank you Sharon and the whole CASANA team.

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Lisa Brown — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:43:47 GMT

thankyou, for posting this information. It makes me as a mom to a child with severe apraxia, feel relieved that there are dedicated professionals that really care about our special children. I would truly like to meet this remarkable woman. Thankyou again Sharon, from the bottom of our hearts!

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Marne Shanklin — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:43:09 GMT

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the effort that has been put into this website and network. It has helped me immeasurably. I live in a very small town in a rural part of Michigan and there are no support groups of any kind to help deal with this. I have learned so much from this site and not just about my Wills' apraxia. Because of the knowlege I've gained from this site regarding how school systems work I was able to get my older son the dyslexia testing he so desparately needs 2 yrs earlier than he would normally qualify for. I can't tell you how relieving it is to not only read that other parents are coping with the same things that I am coping with but also that the future can still be bright for my son. Thank you, you have been a god-send.

re: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview, Part 2

Hayley — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:14:55 GMT

I wish there was someone as well informed and active in the United Kingdom - fighting for the NHS to recognise the necessity for frequent, intensive and specific type of therapy. Our system has refused to see my child with oral dyspraxia/apraxia until he is three - in 7 month's time and then will offer a week's therapy! Our insurers rarely cover much therapy in this area. There needs to be more help for those families that can't afford to go privately for speech therapy - and even more likely, can't find a therapist who knows properly how to treat oral dyspraxia/apraxia. I think there is a real need for someone like Sharon and this organisation to advocate for these children on this side of the pond - and presumably in many other territories also.%0d%0a%0d%0aCASANA's site, mailing list and information has been amazing and sincere thanks to Sharon for her help and incredible dedication.%0d%0a