Trevor has 1 more speech therapy session at the rehab, and 1 final infant development (ID) session tonight. Even though I am already convinced that the next speech therapy pathologist (SLP) is going to be just as great… (due to her emails, communications, and the preparing and questions she is already asking) I am beyond nervous for how Trevor will adapt. He still takes us into his speech sessions now, is nervous when something is out of place or out of routine, and “shuts down” at any unforeseen challenge that faces him. For example, he will not take a Halloween toy from our SLP -- ? because all of her toys are supposed to stay there? Our ID specialist needs to “hide” from Trevor, if she is at the rehab for a weekly session, because she “isn’t supposed” to be at speech – that isn’t where he thinks she sees him.
I shouldn’t have to be, but I am weary of his upcoming birthday party… He was clung to mom or dad the entire day at Isaac’s party. He knows everyone who was there.. very well, for the most part. My birthday wish for him is that he can enjoy his day, instead of fearing it.
I have again been looking through the blogs and the CASANA website and a few things describe what I am feeling. They were mostly thoughts for the transition into kindergarten – as a letter to give the teachers, but I feel it fits with the current transition as well. I am not writing a letter during this time, because she is a SLP and knows what childhood apraxia of speech means. But -- I will share some thoughts I ran across. First in a blog I have recently been viewing… she uses her sons’ communication/speech ability fears like this: (the italicized words are adapted from her blog -- “Bringing Up Boys” @ http://walsh101.typepad.com/my_weblog/ )I worry that “others” (teachers, SLP) won’t be able to understand him, since I have translated and know – apraxia Trevor. My heart hurts thinking of him not being able to ask his teacher a question or talk to his friends the way he wants.
I love that cross out for telling how Trevor “talks” apraxia… I think we as parents of apraxic children would LOVE if everyone just understood the frustrations and difficulties the child experiences daily. I feel that both his parents, and daycare provider, along with his current SLP and ID specialist still find difficulty in “translating” apraxia Trevor. With Trevor turning three, it seems he is more aware that he has to work harder to talk than the other kids. Many children with apraxia experience a great sense of failure and frustration in their attempts to communicate. Some children grow even quieter; others may act out their frustration. Children with apraxia need the support of teachers and parents.
Some of the example statements regarding to Trevor that describe “his apraxia” that I have found:
Ø makes inconsistent sound errors
Ø can understand language much better than he can produce it
Ø May appear to be groping when attempting to produce sounds or to coordinate the lips, tongue, and jaw for purposeful movement (our daycare provider has really noticed this… he “mouths” words without the pronunciations of the words/letters out loud… Is he practicing or nervous it may come out wrong? Also, I have noticed him using his hands – opening and closing them when attempting a word.)
Ø Simplifies words by replacing difficult sounds with easier ones or by deleting difficult sounds (although all children do this, the child with apraxia of speech does so more often)
Ø Appears to have more difficulty when he is anxious
Ø It can be difficult for a child with apraxia to “break into” social communication and situations (why daycare at Gearing Up for Kindergarten wouldn’t work for Trevor)
Within the emails from our “new” SLP at the school, she sent a picture strip to prepare him for the transition. (We REALLY don’t want to be in the room during the sessions.) He concentrates and listens to his parents more than the SLP, and he needs to develop that relationship from the start. So on these strips are his current favorite activities in the following pictures: toys, playdoh, cut, and either mommy or daddy picture… So we have been attempting the preparation with the strips. He really likes them so far… Daddy coming home from work… Mommy and Isaac went shopping the other day… REALLY hope he realizes what the strip means come next Wednesday. (We – Joe and I-- have each “stepped out” of the current sessions once and now it has gone well!! But it will be a new person next week.) Cross your fingers!
As CASANA puts it: “Involved, informed, and educated parents are more effective at providing for their child’s needs and insuring that others do as well.” (I believe that statement is true for any child –Isaac too!) It is important for all of us to remember for Trevor: use repetition, patience, try to create a tension-free and interesting “communication environment” for my child. Encourage but do not insist he try to speak. Praise his attempts at speech, if only for effort. Please know that sometimes my child might not respond or might respond by hiding or shutting down as a way to help himself get out of a difficult communication challenge he is facing.
