I had a client recently who told me a well-meaning friend called her five year old son with apraxia “retarded.” Apparently he meant it in a “well-meaning way” asking about services, but understandably the term shocked, appalled, angered, and then saddened her. Isn’t it interesting what we all presume about a child based on nothing more than their speech? She went onto say she didn’t even correct him because at
I always say they aren’t any easy answers, only tough choices in this game of parenting. Sometimes, I think I know too much. The special education teacher approached me yesterday about placement for Ashlynn going into Kindergarten. Her attention is such a problem. It could be related to the apraxia and sensory processing disorder, or it could be something else. Who the hell knows. I know she was giving me
I went to my state’s annual school based symposium for SLP’s this weekend and one of the keynote speakers was Dr. Amy Meredith CCC-SLP. She is a professor at Washington State University and specializes in Childhood Apraxia of Speech with a focus on Early Literacy Skills. Of all the things she said, the one quote that really stood out to me was this: “Experience is the key architect of
We went on a Santa Train again this year at Georgetown Loop Railroad. Ashlynn has never talked to Santa before. When she was 3, she cried and clung to her dad for dear life. When she was 4, we went on a different Santa Train, and though she wasn’t scared, she was too reserved to say anything audible enough for him to hear. This year a four year old girl
Oh summer, how I love thee. Filled with swimming lessons, play dates; visits to the park and zoo. During summer, I get to see my children be children. Their carefree smiles light up a room, and the echoes of their laughter can be heard long after they lay down their head. Yes, therapy appointments are a way of life for Ashlynn, but even speech and occupational therapy bring positive updates
It starts with a question: Did I cause her apraxia? I know I’m not the only mom to wonder this, or worse, believe this. This is where the guilt sets in. It set in early and would tap on my shoulder in the shower, at lunch, or when I was trying to go to bed. Even though I’m an SLP, and I tell parents all the time that the speech