possible apraxia questions

[Anonymous]

DS (18mo) is currently seeing an alp for speech delays. She feels fairly certain that he is showing signs of apraxia, though as I understand it is still too early to diagnose. A couple of questions:
1) Generally, can anyone recommend good resources?
2) We are in the middle of looking into preschools. Any in NOVA (arlington/mclean) or dc that are good with children with speech delays? We will also be going through the whole child find process but not sure speech delay will qualify for school services.
Thank you!
Alison

[Anonymous]

Here is a good book specifically about apraxia:
http://www.amazon.com/Speaking-Apraxia-Parents-Childhood-Speech/dp/1606130617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388794102&sr=8-1&keywords=apraxia

And here is one about modifying the speaking environment:
http://www.amazon.com/It-Takes-Two-Talk-Practical/dp/0921145195/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388794203&sr=8-1&keywords=hanen

And here is an easy read, the "dummies" guide per se:
http://www.amazon.com/You-Make-Difference-Helping-Child/dp/0921145063/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388794262&sr=8-3&keywords=hanen

[Anonymous]

Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

PP here - No problem!
I'm an SLP ..... so let me know if you have any questions!

[Anonymous]

OP,

If the SLP you're seeing is through Infant & Toddlers/Early Intervention, they usually give all speech delays the "apraxia" label. If it's true apraxia then there are probably some low tone issues and possible motor coordination issues:
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhoodapraxia.htm

In general, kids with speech delays have low tone and require OT. So that's something you may want to screen for at some point.

[Anonymous]

BTW, the Hanen book is really good.

[Anonymous]

I have a 5 year old who has mild speech apraxia. One thing I can say from meeting other parents of kids with apraxia is the importance of finding an SLP who has specific training in apraxia therapy. Apraxia therapy is different than regular speech therapy techniques and there are many SLPs that don't do apraxia therapy. One woman I know spent years in regular speech therapy with her son who has apraxia and saw very little improvement. Once she moved to an SLP w/ an apraxia specialty, she saw incredible progress. Thankfully after years of great therapy, my DS is doing really well and is almost completely up to speed with his peers verbally. A great website for resources is CASANA: http://www.apraxia-kids.org. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My DS has apraxia and MERLD. I agree with the PP that if it's true apraxia, there are likely (not for sure but likely) other muscle issues. Our DS also has low tone and motor planning/coordination issues - not surprising given that apraxia is a disorder of muscles. We suspected apraxia at an early age (@24 mo) and it was confirmed when he ws 3. We had a LOT of great SLPs over the years but I have to say DS did not make significant progress until we started working with a PROMPT certified SLP. I actually first learned about PROMPT here on the SN Forum, did some research and found that it appears to be the most effect therapeutic approach to treating apraxia of speech. You might look into it.