“Your child may have apraxia.” I have needed to say that many times in my
years as a speech therapist. Those words
may bring about feelings of apprehension and confusion to a parent, so I am always
quick to add, “but we can take care of this!”
I also have to admit to being excited when I encounter a little one with
suspected apraxia of speech. Why? It’s because I know we’re in for a fun and
rewarding ride!
Here are just a few of the silver linings of apraxia that
I’ve discovered:
The Relationships
As
a therapist, it is such a pleasure and honor to know and work with children and
their wonderful families. I have also witnessed
the stronger bonds that develop between parents and their children as they work
together to build communication. Imagine
how frustrating it must be for a child with limited self-expression
skills. Now just think of the comfort
and security in knowing that “Mommy and Daddy understand me.” Even if that understanding comes in the form
of knowing your child’s gestures, desires, and “words” that no one else can
interpret before clear speech develops.
The Achievements
No
one really thinks about the complexities of learning to speak unless there is a
problem. So much needs to “go right” for
a child to communicate effortlessly.
When a child has apraxia, making certain speech sounds and joining them
together to say a particular word or even a syllable can be very difficult. When the child’s efforts pay off and the challenges
are overcome one by one, the joy is immeasurable. Families and I often go down memory lane as
we marvel at a child’s progress.
“Remember when she said ‘dee dee’ for ‘baby’? Look at what she’s saying now!” Every little bit of progress makes the child
more confident and capable and allows the next steps to happen even faster!
The Transformation
I’ve saved the best for last.
Watching a child transform from a scared, quiet, frustrated, dependent
tot into a happy, vibrant, talkative individual is beyond rewarding. It is such a joy to discover the wonderful
little person who was hiding behind the confines of apraxia. My little ones who have had apraxia tend to
become little chatterboxes, and that is music to my ears!
"It is such a joy to discover the wonderful little person who is hiding behind the confines of apraxia."
I would like to close my thoughts with a link to an
inspiring video of Jack, one of my former kids.Jack’s mom, Diana, brought the yearly Apraxia Kids Walk to the Akron
area.In the video, you will see clips
of Jack thanking people for supporting him in the walk over the course of three
years.Diana has graciously allowed me
to freely share Jack’s video as an inspiration to all families on this
journey.
