1. Kids with Apraxia really NEED my help
We are not talking about taking a slight frontal /s/ distortion and making it sound perfect. We are talking about kids who have little to no means of communication. They have extreme difficulty expressing their wants and needs. Such limited verbal communication can cause a chain reaction of so many other negative factors. It can negatively affect their ability to get help, express desires, express problems, build relationships, read, write, learn, and so much more. I love to help get them on the right track to communicating so that these other areas will not become delayed as well.
2. Kids with Apraxia are SMART
Kids with apraxia usually know what they want to say – they just don’t know how to get the words out. They absorb their surroundings. They understand language, directions, and expressions from others but they have difficulty producing their own. I love getting to know my apraxic kids and seeing their humor, their intellect, and their little amazing personalities.
3. Kids with Apraxia make HUGE progress
I have seen many severely apraxic kids go from completely non-verbal to extremely effective verbal communicators. Besides chocolate – progress of an apraxic client is the most addicting thing to me. I love it. Professionally it is what makes me live and breathe. I love seeing my apraxic clients find their voice and use it to show others who they are.
4. Kids with Apraxia are COURAGEOUS
Just writing that sentence brings tears to my eyes because it is so true. I have seen scared, timid, frustrated kids let me into their world. By the time they come to me they have usually realized that they fail when trying to communicate. But for some reason – they are willing to keep trying. I have seen these kids try and fail and try and fail and try again until they see the smallest level of success. And this alone can keep them trying some more. These kids have to work so hard at what the rest of us take for granted. I am positive that my apraxic kids have taught me more than I have taught them – about facing fears, working hard, and not giving up.
Thank you so much for writing this & loving these awesome kids! I have a daughter who is almost 4 who has Apraxia. She is, indeed everything you said above. It’s so nice to hear that someone gets these kids! No doubt about it, they have a long hard journey to face, but thank heaven there are great speech therapists out there like you to help them along their way!
I would agree with your points. My apraxic son is so expressive ans such a joy to be around, but has a very hard time communicating his needs and wants. Great to know someone else sees the love in apraxic children
My almost 3-year-old is suspected CAS and I really appreciate what you wrote here. I’ll be back and am already thankful for the resources you’ve made available here. Thank you for your heart for these kids. They really are something special.
I am working with a 5 year old little girl with CAS. She is delightful and she works so hard! She is unable to produce long e. I am asking for any tips, tricks or techniques you could offer to help her make this sound. We use the Kaufman cards and when she sees a card with long e she looks away. Her approximation is a nasal short a sound. Please help!
This brings tears to my eyes. I love that you love working with kids like my son. Thank you for seeing the potential in them!