Dyspraxia & Apraxia Support Group

My son was in therapy from about age 2 until he was almost 6. It was the best thing I've ever done for him. He was diagnosed with severe apraxia of speech. Now, he speaks just like the rest of his first-grade class, and even has a speaking part in the Christmas play!
The tips I have are these: (1)Do the homework that the therapist gives you. Even if it's frustrating. (2)Don't give up. (3)Sign language and picture boards are a God-send. (4)Go to apraxia-kids.org; they have the most extensive website I've found, with the best information.
God bless you and your family, and good luck. I know how frustrating the disorder can be, but I hope I've been able to give you some hope that all of the hard work really does pay off.

My son has been in speech therapy for about a month now. It is very frustrating. Especially when he has his meltdowns and wont' co-operate. On the days he does well in therapy, i see an improvement in his speech when we get home, but by the next day he's reverted again, and the homework doesn't seem to help his speech at all (though he loves doing it) I'm sure it will help if we stick to it. Patience patience!

To be honest I have used a speech therapist many times and I've come away the same as I went. I still can't pronounce the 'th' sound, or the prescription, I still say perscription. And of course there are many other examples but there are of course too many to list.

I live in England and I am very interested indeed in how you seem to start speech therapy very young. I found that in Europe they start school at 6 + and have about 1% Dyspraxia. This is also where they invented "tumble tots" which helps develop motor skills through play. We now have children in Nursary showing difficulties as their Motor/speech and social skills are not developed and diagnosed as delayed. Every child is an individual and so is their progress in development. I now have to do a programme of exercises for children not only with obvious dyspraxia but for late developers to keep up with the Natinal Curriculam. When ever we have a child who has been statemented for Speech Apraxia (which is obvious) they have never been diagnosed (just mentioned) that they have motor skills difficulties. By the way riddles I have tried for years to get children to pronounce "Th" and still they say "I fink I can" Only last week I told a child off for writing "Free X-Box" and gave him the same old lecture about pronouncing his "Th" untill he said "but Miss! it is free it doesn't cost anyfink" And Harry wrote a beautiful sentance "My Mum wears thongs"

Had severe stutter after late start speaking. Had elocution lessons and learnt control. But ended up with posh accent in mining town so got beat up for that.

Son same as me but his was less and worked well.

My son wasn't diagnosed with apraxia till he was 19 yrs old. He has been recieving speech therapy for 7 mths. now and is pleased with his progress. His therapist uses a method called PROMPT. For info. on it go to http://www.promptinstitute.com/ Hope this is helpful.

I am presently in school for Speech Therapy. It's my passion and I cannot wait to devote my life to it. It takes a lot of patience on both the clinician and client's part, but I think it is always worth a try. Sometimes setting too high expectations (even set by the therapist) can result in frustration and failure. Finding a therapist who understands your concerns and can meet you on middle ground is essential in having a successful experience! I have done some research on fluency (stuttering) therapy, and I can understand frustration with those who were not helped or eventually went back to their old ways. Since all therapist use a different technique (b/c there are sooooo many out there!) it's hard to match yourself with a therapist who can bring you out of the stutter. One thing I have found important in having some sort of success with stuttering clients is having the therapist actually stutter for the client and then having the client stutter for the clinician ON PURPOSE! This shows that you do have control and gives you a boost of self confidence! Best wishes to everyone here!

I took my son to speach therapy because he couldn't hardly talk and when he did he stuttered,we found it worked really well for him and for us, we came away everytime with new tips on how to help him, he started when he was four and hes now 19, hes speach is perfect and he only stutters when hes angry,upset or tired. It has been such hard work, but the pay off was masive.

my wee one has been getting speeach therapy for nearly a year it was in fact it was the speeach theripest who suggested assesment for dispraxia in the last few month we have seen a vast improvement although i aggree with char you must do the homework and it can be very frustrating we to have meltdowns herself and me but we try to pick up and carry on as soon as we both feel calm and happy good luck with the wee fella

Does anyone know if there's any difference between speech therapy for just a speech delay vs. Apraxia?

I have a 21 month old DD that isn't talking and Early Intervention therapists said that she has a speech delay and has Sensory Processing disorder.

Someone told me to look into Apraxia and the symptoms seem to fit, even though I read that they won't diagnose children until 3.

We have been going to a speech therapist for a few months and it's not helping. My DD has fun there and really likes the ST, but it feels like a waste of time and she won't do any homework with me.

Please let me know on this thread or send me a message if you know the answer!!! I'm getting frustrated and worried about my DD!

TIA