What was it that Bill Cosby always said? Kids say the darndest things or something like that. Unless of course, you know, they don’t because they have apraxia of speech and can’t even say the most basic things. Or this that I just ran across: Unless of course, they don’t because they have Apraxia When Ashlynn was born, I wondered what her personality would be, the funny things she would
This past week Dr. Maya Angelou passed away. I was introduced to her in college with her poem “I know why the caged bird sings,” and many times on the Oprah Winfrey show. I have learned so much from so many teachers and inspirational women, but perhaps my greatest revelation in my life thus far is to be grateful. With gratitude comes the fortitude to push forward despite any struggles
Yes, you read the title correct. I just called apraxia a blessing. It took me a long time to get to this point. I certainly didn’t feel it was a blessing here 2.5 years, or here, New worries, or here IEP on the other side of the table, or here Background and suspicions. I remember shouting “I HATE APRAXIA” “APRAXIA SUCKS!!” everytime I watched my daughter struggle. Slowly but surely though,
There was a time, a time not long ago but that seems like almost forever now, that when someone asked me Ashlynn’s age I immediately became defensive. “Why?” you might ask yourself. Seems like a typical question among moms in that age group.It is……….. until your child is delayed. Then that game isn’t fun anymore. Every time the question was asked, I found myself rounding down. When she was almost
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
So, I obviously am well aware my daughter has apraxia. I’m well aware of her challenges, but for some reason, I didn’t want to admit she’s “special needs.” I don’t know why. I work with special needs kids all day long. It’s what I do. I don’t see them as special needs. I just see them as maybe learning differently, or needing different supports than other kids to be successful.