2 year old with apraxia -non verbal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would ask for a new therapist but also seek outside services (this is why we didn't bother with them). He isn't being stubborn but he may not be ready to talk or something else medically going on.

I would ask for a different therapist. She sounds unprofessional. Some kids are stubborn about therapy. A good therapist tries to make it fun and still make progress.

[Anonymous]

My son is everything BUT stubborn. We're talking about a kid who models *NYC & other states* and he is the easiest going kid ever. I wanted to smack her when she told me I baby him & he is stubborn which is why he wasn't talking. When I got the apraxia diagnosis from the development pedi I made it a point to send that therapist a message via email. I made it clear when she works with my son she will not MAKE him try to talk by not giving him what he wants...i want this to be a good experience for him.

[Anonymous]

New therapist. If she labels him as "stubborn" now, she is just going to keep that label. She isn't trying different things to figure out his personality and how to best engage him. We've been through several speech therapists and some were great and really figured it out and some sucked and just did what was clearly their standard routine and well, it was boring so I can see how a child would not want to participate.

[Anonymous]

OP here - does anyone suggest a DAN doctor? I want to maybe get his levels checked.

[Anonymous]

I agree you need a new therapist. The one you've got is truly awful.

[Anonymous]

I have a six year old with similar issues. It makes me sad and astonished to hear such a child labeled "stubborn." A child with muscle tone issues cannot produce speech on command. Turning this into an issue of his being willfull is just so, so wrong. This therapist is really shockingly bad and off-base. It's as if she's saying that Christopher Reeve was stubborn for not walking on command.

Does she have any idea how hard these kids work in their therapy to produce sounds and movements? If she is willing to label a kid stubborn for not producing speech on her command, I think she should not work with children, or really with anyone.

Anyway, in answer to your question about groups for your child, I recommend lots of swimming (loosens tight muscles, tightens up low tone -- really just great exercise for these kids). A warm water pool is best. Are you doing private PT?

[Anonymous]

My two and 1/2 year old also has apraxia and he is unable to clearly say any words yet. He has been seeing a prompt therapist weekly for the past two months and has learned to make the "u","ah",and "m" sounds. It has been very slow going. He also sees a private occupational therapist weekly. We live in Fairax County and since September he has had a resource teacher come from the school twice a week, but it has been a complete waste of time. She doesnt seem to have a clue how to help him. Does anyone know if I can get occupational therapy and/or speech therapy from FCPS instead of this useless resource teacher? Or are there good resource teachers out there that I might be able to switch to a better one? Or does anyone have any better suggestions?

[Anonymous]

for the lady who has the 2 1/2 year old can you email me? [e-mail]
It would be nice to meet another mom my sons age with the same issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My two and 1/2 year old also has apraxia and he is unable to clearly say any words yet. He has been seeing a prompt therapist weekly for the past two months and has learned to make the "u","ah",and "m" sounds. It has been very slow going. He also sees a private occupational therapist weekly. We live in Fairax County and since September he has had a resource teacher come from the school twice a week, but it has been a complete waste of time. She doesnt seem to have a clue how to help him. Does anyone know if I can get occupational therapy and/or speech therapy from FCPS instead of this useless resource teacher? Or are there good resource teachers out there that I might be able to switch to a better one? Or does anyone have any better suggestions?

When does he turn 3?

I was less than thrilled with Fairfax County infant and toddlers therapy program, but I have been extremely, extremely pleased with the FCPS early intervention preschool services. Night and day difference for us. They still don't do a whole lot to actually direclty address apraxia, but just having my kids in a small class every day with extremely qualified teachers and nice aides experiencing a strong curriculum in a very structured, consistent, and caring environment has been fabulous -- and free. We still do private ST and OT to address the motor planning issues more specifically, but the non-cat preschool classes through FCPS have been wonderful for both my kids.

A child can start the September after he/she turns 3. So, if your kiddo turned 3 prior to Sept, he would be qualified to start now. If not, he'll be qualified on the day he turns 3.

Best wishes to you.

[Anonymous]

He will be three Aug 4th. They are saying he won't qualify for special needs pre k because his learning isn't effected by him being non verbal. He is two and knows his letters (most of them) and his colors and all that. very smart little kid.....but of course he is smart, he has alot more time to learn since he don't have to work on talking. I get so conflicted as to what to do. If I put him in regular pre K im scared the teachers won't focus on his needs.

[Anonymous]

We had the same issue. We kept getting he's smart and cute, but then they can't answer what that has to do with him being non-verbal. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He will be three Aug 4th. They are saying he won't qualify for special needs pre k because his learning isn't effected by him being non verbal. He is two and knows his letters (most of them) and his colors and all that. very smart little kid.....but of course he is smart, he has alot more time to learn since he don't have to work on talking. I get so conflicted as to what to do. If I put him in regular pre K im scared the teachers won't focus on his needs.

I second the recommendation for the FCPS special ed preschool. We initially concerned about DS picking up negative behaviors but that was unfounded. It really is a great program.

I don't know who's tellin gyou that your DS won't qualify for services because that's patently untrue. Being non-verbal would have a devestating impact on his learning. I strongly encourage you to start working with an education consultant who knows what can and should be done for your DS. It is NOT too early. My DS (apraxia/MERLD) actually started in a FCPS special ed preschool prior to his 3rd birthday. I started the process to transition from Infant Toddler to Child Find when he was 2.5 because I was concerned there'd be a break in service if I wait too close to him turning 3. I was amazed at how quickly they moved and willing they were to admit him before he was 3.

Recommendations for consultants/advocates are posted in other threads (search the archives). We used Dr. Ruth Heitin http://www.educationalconsultingva.com/ and are very happy with her. But, there are others. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He will be three Aug 4th. They are saying he won't qualify for special needs pre k because his learning isn't effected by him being non verbal. He is two and knows his letters (most of them) and his colors and all that. very smart little kid.....but of course he is smart, he has alot more time to learn since he don't have to work on talking. I get so conflicted as to what to do. If I put him in regular pre K im scared the teachers won't focus on his needs.

My son recognizes all his letters, knows his primary colors, etc. He still qualifies for 15 hours a week of non-cat preschool services at fcps, without a fight on my part at all.

If your son turned 2 back in August, he is eligible for fcps preschool NOW. Go through the testing process ASAP. If you don't get what you feel are enough services, hire an advocate and keep trying. Don't stop until you are happy. A 2.5 child who is not talking in intelligible phrases is behind and should qualify for some sort of help.

[Anonymous]

Wait he is eligible for preschool now at 2? For frederick co I thought they had to be three? They said the transition starts at 2.5 so you have six months to transition? Their preschool runs for 3-4 year olds....so at two he can't get into anything. We do try to do alot of playdates because he loves kids!!

[Anonymous]

We use to be in alexandria and the infant & toddler program there was amazing. I'm from a small town in WV so we moved to a smaller town last year in frederick (I hate the city!!) if i knew my son was going to have these issues I would have stayed in alexandria so he could get better care etc * I loved our service coordinator there and our OT & PT! If I have to make a move back to alexandria I will LOL! I guess we will find out in a few months when westart to transitition.