My 3 1/2 yr old son just diagnosed with apraxia by: Tamara Kelch
My son is 3 1/2 and was diagnosed in January 2009. He was in the Early Steps state program from 2 to 3 yrs for speech therapy but was not diagnosed until I took him to Children's Speech Disorder clinic in Pensacola FL after he transitioned into the public county school system. He is currently attending a 1/2 day Preschool Disability class in which he gets a language based program and a speech therapist visits with him there 3 times a week for 20 min sessions (one on one) and 1 time a week for 30 min group session. Before the diagnosis all he was getting was 2x week group sessions. I had to fight for everything and get my diagnosis privately before I could get that changed to individual therapy. All the research for Apraxia states one on one therapy is essential for Apraxic children.
I also take him once a week to the clinic I mentioned before in Pensacola and they are wonderful. That is where he is getting the most progress. It is an hour trip for me one way so that is why I can only go once a week plus they are hard to get into.
He is making progress but it is slow. His vocabulary has increased alot over the past few months. He was only saying 2 words at the age of 2 (mama and dada). He now has about 30-40 words. I purchased the Kaufmann kit 1 myself and work with him at home too. I also started Pharma Omega Speak capsules (which is a special formula of fish oil and other vitamins for speech) which you can find at speechnutrients.com and I have noticed alot of improvement. I only give him 2 in the morning and I have to poke a hole in them and squeeze into a dropper. He is very good about taking it.
I look at him struggle to repeat the simplest sounds and it is heartbreaking. He gets real frustrated at times but is getting better at using signs, gestures, etc. He is so great though. He is very athletic and very coordinated in gross motor skills, probably even advanced for his age. I have to believe that this will all get better and he will have a normal life.
My only advice is to get the most speech therapy you can and try the fish oil supplement I mentioned above. I have not tried the sound therapy but will inquire with his speech therapist.
Mar 20, 2009 Rating
Don't give up hope! by: Anonymous
Your daughter is adorable! Your daughter was diagnoised early, so there is a good chance of recovery. Have you checked into sound therapy? (see link on this site) It's safe, all natural and it works! Also many people have reported good results with fish oils. Is she in speech therapy? I would try to get her in as much as I could.
