Are You Concerned Your Child With Apraxia Will Never Talk???

I want you to know I have been in your shoes. I was told "wait & see", "she will eventually talk", and "some kids are just slower." I understand the devastation of hearing the diagnosis of apraxia and of learning your child may never speak normally.

I was told my daughter was not just a "late talking child" and she would need "special services" at school for at least ten more years. And like you I just could not accept that fact. There had to be something more I could do to help my precious little girl.

At age 3 Josie was diagnosed with apraxia and was attending a special needs preschool for speech therapy four days a week. We saw little progress that year. She went from saying one word - "Hi", to about thirty partial words and some sign language.

At her year end conference her teachers expressed concern about her lack of progress; they suggested we consult a neurologist and an audiologist. Other than being a nonverbal child those reports came back fine. We also had her tested for mercury overload by hair analysis and blood work, those tests were also normal. We were desperate to find something that would help our daughter lead a normal life. That's when I began researching all possible options. I spent many hours reading everything I could about apraxia and even found myself informing my daughter's pediatrician about her condition.

What you can do right now

I will tell you what you can do right now in your own home in addition to speech therapy to enhance your child's speech. Your child will not simply "grow out of it". Their speech may improve as they get older but it will still be filled with errors and be difficult to understand without proper intervention.

Speech therapy for apraxia is generally intensive - 3-5 hours per week and expensive (average $100/hour, which may or may not be covered by insurance or your local school district). What I am suggesting you try is not a "quick fix"; however it will greatly enhance speech therapy.

The key that allowed her to speak

I will reveal the key that unlocked her voice - she went from thirty partial words to speaking 3 - 4 word sentences in about two months. We did this over the summer and her teachers were shocked when she returned to school in the fall. We did this at home and she enjoyed it very much.

I am in no way advocating you end speech therapy - this is in addition to therapy - it's for the parent that wants the best for their child - who is willing to do whatever it takes to give their child a normal life. These things are not complicated; some of them are a lot of fun!

Today Josie is a normal active 6 year old, who just completed kindergarten. She did exceptionally well in school - she had no trouble making friends, everyone could understand her. When friends and relatives who haven't seen her in over a year see her they are often shocked & amazed at the changes she has made. She had no trouble learning to read; in fact she is now able to read books on her own that are above her grade level. Research has shown that 75% of children with apraxia also have dyslexia Much of what we did for her is also proven to help with dyslexia. In fact no one would ever guess she struggled so much learning to talk.

You can help your child recover from apraxia too!

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