Apraxia (question for parents)

My son has been diagnosed with Verbal Apraxia of Speech and it 2.5 yrs old. I'm just curious if any of the other parents on here have had kids with the same thing. We are doing speech and occupational therapy through 1st steps, but I'm starting to worry about transitioning into preschool through Shelby County this summer/fall. Always nice to know if someone else has gone through any of this, and a bit comforting.
btw..Apraxia is basically where he understands language, but cannot really speak. He has words that he can say now, only about 20, but rarely speaks spontaneously. It's a neurological connection between his brain and mouth where it can't form the words fast enough, or right, and therefore he just wont speak. Such as..he knows I'm "Mama" but he rarely ever just calls me that, unless you ask him who I am. And he actually says "A-mama" instead.

Megan,

Sorry, no personal experience, but I did find this support group in Cincinnati- it might be very helpful to get connected with other parents thru this group. Also, It looks like this Cincinnati Children's hospital has a specialty in this area.
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/visit/support/groups/verbal-apraxia.htm

Wishing you all the best-
Deb

Megan,
Have you spoken with the wonderful folks at the Heuser Hearing Hearing and Language Academy in downtown Louisville? They used to be known as the Louisville Deaf Oral School. They are nationally recognized for the excellence of their preschool and kindergarten program. They have never turned a student away, regardless of the ability or inability to pay the tuition. They serve not only children with hearing loss but also quite a few apraxic kiddos as well. Children come from about 14 surrounding counties to attend their program.

I would be happy to put you in touch with my cousin, who has a preschooler there now. They moved back from South Carolina specifically because of the reputation of the program and the needs of their son.

Here is a link to their website - not great at this so don't know if you will be able to click on it or need to copy and paste...
http://www.thehearinginstitute.org/Default.aspx?tabid=837

Also, as another potential resource, JCPS provides free speech therapy for preschool (and beyond). My son was in it, and then it was a seamless transition to public schools (where they continue it). In preschool, they'd come and pick him up at his preschool, bring him for an hour to speech therapy, and bring him back. Now it is just like another class at school, I think a couple times a week. (he's doing great now, by the way).

I'm a big fan of the public school system. (He goes to Bloom)

Not sure exactly what your kiddo needs, but something to look into perhaps.

Good luck!

Check with the Shelby County Schools now, ask about services for his specific condition. There are federal regs requiring them to get your child what he needs. You may find they have a program in place or they may have to make one for him. I had to do that for my son with his Visual Learning. I will try to find the stuff I had regarding what they had to do, but that was a few years back (he is 21). Educate yourself about what his rights are, you will be surprised what they have to do, but only if you ask for it, so they may not be very informative. Once JCPS figured out I was informed, they were very helpful, but it took a couple of years.

Good luck - from what I have read about this, the chances are very good he will do fine with proper therapy!

And this is why I love this board! thank you all for all your information. I'm really going to look into the Heuser center. I'm waiting for my son's case manager to contact me about his transition meeting with the woman from Shelby Co. Schools. He just needs so much one on one, and I know in the schools he'll be in a group setting.
I've also decided I'm going to really start working on sign language. He's been really resistent to it in the past, though he loves the videos. But I'm going to really try and make him communicate with me. it's sad that my child can't even tell me when he feels bad, is hungry, or what he wants to eat. He also doesn't point to what he wants, but is NOT autistic. Very frustrating.

it's sad that my child can't even tell me when he feels bad, is hungry, or what he wants to eat. He also doesn't point to what he wants, but is NOT autistic. Very frustrating.

oh my megan, i have been thinking about you and your son all day. after i read this, i just broke down. i have four children, my son is third and is also 2 1/2 yrs old. i thought of you as i saw him eating his tacos for lunch today, i thought of you as i put him down for his nap and played with him. i thought of you as he played and screamed for certain things he wanted. i tried to put myself in your situation and it seems like it would be a very heavy thing to deal with.

i am a very empathetic person and have been thinking of how you deal and handle this. as mothers we want to do all we can for our babies; take away any hurt, pain, or wrong and make things right for them. i really hope you are able to find the correct care that you son needs and i also hope you find a place for yourself that helps you deal with the emotions that you experience.

And I cried just reading your response to my post..haha. you and I must have the same kind of hearts. I hurt for people all the time. It's been hard. I swear I have been through every part of the grieving process from anger, jealousy, not being able to be around other people's children, crying, bargaining, you name it. I've done A LOT of crying. And it was hard coming to terms with the fact that my child looks normal, but is considered "special needs". He really is bright, and funny and I swear he's one of the most loving kids there ever was. Thank God for the internet and being able to find groups like the one on facebook for people with kids like mine, and places like this where you can just ask random questions. And as my mom says "there is a purpose to all of this." Who knows, maybe someday I'll be able to be an advocate for other people's kids, or help them find the resources they need, just like people have done for me on here!
Oh yeah..and I love what someone else with a child with special needs told me "God doesn't make junk"
There's also a beautiful poem about having a child w/ special needs, but be prepared to cry.
http://www.specialkidstoday.com/articles/essays/welcome-to-holland-4719/

Megan I will PM you with the email address of my niece in California. Her son was also diagnosed with apraxia about three years ago. Her son is now 5. She would be happy to share her experiences with you and I think she can help you with what you're dealing with. She's also a wonderfully skilled child psychologist. Perhps that will help a bit too.
Let me get right on that.

You should have my PM now.