Well it's been a little longer than I had planned, but I figured that I would post on Jekkie's speech problem. She has been diagnosed with Apraxia.....the excerpt below is from http://www.apraxia-kids.org/
Verbal apraxia indicates that the child has difficulty with volitional movement for the production of speech. This can be at the level of sounds, syllables, words, or even phrases (connected speech). The motor struggle is most typically seen with sounds sequencing.
Often oral apraxia accompanies verbal apraxia, but that is not always the case. Speech and language pathologists have mentioned that it is very rare and fairly unheard of for a child to have oral apraxia without verbal apraxia/dyspraxia.
Volitional -- What does it Mean?
In the course of discussing apraxia, as we have above, you will note the use of the word "volitional". The meaning of this word in relationship to apraxia/dyspraxia of speech means that the child is experiencing the difficulty in nonspeech and speech movement when they are very consciously aware of trying to make movements or they are attempting movements when requested by others.
Volitional -- What does it Mean?
In the course of discussing apraxia, as we have above, you will note the use of the word "volitional". The meaning of this word in relationship to apraxia/dyspraxia of speech means that the child is experiencing the difficulty in nonspeech and speech movement when they are very consciously aware of trying to make movements or they are attempting movements when requested by others.
Those same movements, sounds, etc. may be heard while the child is busy playing or he/she just seems to blurt out when no one is really paying attention or trying too hard. As an example, the child may be playing happily and parents may hear sounds being made - almost without thought - "ma, ma, ba, ma,da". However, when the parents attempt to get the child to use those sounds - "Say Mama!"- the child is unable to do so. In many cases one can see the struggle on the child's face. They may grope with their lips or silently posture their lips as if searching for the position they need. One minute they could do it (when not thinking about it or attempting the task) and the next minute it is an intense struggle (they are now aware of the request and are trying to will their mouths to make those movements - volitional control).
That pretty much describes our Jekkie....here is a picture of her at speech therapy! (sorry if it's a little blurry, I took it with my phone)
1 comment:
Hi! I stopped by to visit since you just visited me! That's cool you have 4. We will soon be parents of 4 as we are in the process of adopting.
I left a moment on this post because my daughter also has major speech problems. She doesn't have apraxia. She is 4 1/2 and most people can not understand her. I feel badly, but she is in LIU preschool and therapy.
It was nice meeting you...good luck with the grocery thing too!
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