SLP Mommy of Apraxia

Tag: SPD

  • Sensory strategies

    Sensory strategies

    Sensory issues are a common co-morbidity to children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Certainly my daughter with apraxia stemming from a genetic mutation has her own!

    In this post I’m going to share some various sensory related issues we have had throughout the years and strategies that helped.

    Sitting in Circle Time

    In preschool and even into Kindergarten, Ashlynn had a very difficulty time being able to sit in circle time without W sitting. In addition, attention was a major concern. To help with this, she started out with a cube chair and lap blanket that helped keep her seated and calm. In early elementary school, her regular chair was replaced by a hokey stool to allow her wiggle and move. These aren’t the only options though. I’ve seen backjack chairs, wiggle cushions, and yoga balls that have helped kids as well.

    Oral Stimulation

    One of the first sensory issues to pop up was Ashlynn, was she started chewing everything during late preschool and into early elementary school. She would soak her shirts, suck on her hair, and absentmindedly put anything in her mouth. Strategies that helped this were chewelry and the use of a Contigo cup whose straw was resilient enough not for her to bite through. We actually had an accommodation in her IEP allowing her to have her contigo cup during times other kids were not allowed to have them.

    (For extreme chewers I have heard from parents that ARK chewelry is the most robust and works best).

    Picking her nails

    In second grade Ashlynn developed a horrific habit of picking her nails. This wasn’t just a little pick either. I’m talking pick them and get hangnails that she would then rip off. Her fingers bled so much she had to get her shirts changed by the nurse. That year they introduced a rubber band ball as a replacement. It worked wonders and she carried it everywhere and used it when she needed it.

    After her nails she started picking her lips and so she has a sensory bag with chapstick in it as well as can be redirected to use that.

    Attention Concerns

    Ashlynn gets extremely distracted by auditory or visual stimuli. Sensory breaks are scheduled throughout her day. A visual schedule was made and looked something like the one below. Consulting with the OT is very important when developing one, because sensory profiles vary GREATLY depending on the child. I’ve seen kids need a ball pit, weighted blanket, or deep pressure.

    Fidgets

    Fidgets can serve a variety of purposes. They can help with attention, ease anxiety, or provide sensory input to name a few. I’ve tried a lot of fidgets for Ashlynn! The most popular ones like spinners and cubes never worked for her. She did the best with squishy balls, theraputty, pop tubes, or things she had to really squeeze.

    Vestibular Input

    Out of all the sensory strategies that we have used though the NUMBER ONE that always helps is swinging. I’m not an OT, but swinging is very beneficial and calms and helps center Ashlynn. It always has. I’m not alone either! Many parents report putting swings in their house! An adult with apraxia I know has a hammock out back she still uses. There are many different types of swings. Ashlynn loves them all but the most therapeutic for her might have been the platform swing. It helped her core strength and stability.

    What sensory strategies have worked for your child?

    Laura Smith, M.A. CCC-SLP is a 2014 graduate of Apraxia Kids Boot Camp, has completed the PROMPT Level 1 training, and the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP). She is the author of Overcoming Apraxia and has lectured throughout the United States on CAS and related issues. Currently, Laura is a practicing SLP specializing in apraxia at her clinic A Mile High Speech Therapy in Aurora, Colorado.

  • This school year, teach your children to be kind.

    This school year, teach your children to be kind.

    Fresh backpack, lunchbox, shoes and school outfit are waiting tomorrow for my child’s first day of school.  There is an excitement in the air as we bought school supplies and met her teacher last week.  She picked out her name tag like the other kids and picked her seat.  She flashed a big smile to her new teacher and chattered endlessly about school starting again and how she was excited to go back and to learn.  We went and got a new haircut and she told the stylist how she was starting third grade.

    Tomorrow I will take the historic first day of school picture. I will probably proudly post it on all of my social media accounts.  I will most likely scroll back and look at it a couple of times and wonder where my baby has gone.  I will marvel at how this school aged girl with long legs is standing on my front porch.

    That is where the similarities will end.

    As many parents cheer and are relieved to get back to a routine, I’m left with only nerves and trepidation.  The summers in my house are happy.  My daughter is a child who can explore the outdoors and experience life as a carefree and curious kid.  She plays with neighbor children until bedtime and explores campgrounds on the weekend.  She makes mud pies and collects dirt under her fingernails that need to be clipped and scrubbed frequently.

    Unfortunately school brings other stories.  The child who played carefree until bedtime with neighbors is the same child who is frequently seen sitting with her teacher’s aid (TA) at lunch and playing by herself on the playground.  The fingernails that grew long and collected dirt over the summer are replaced with widdled down nubs during school that are bit, picked and chewed so much that her shirts frequently come home bloodied or on some really bad days, have to be changed completely.

    The girl who chatted endlessly to family and friends is the same girl who is quiet and reserved at school, frequently clamming up when put on the spot or asked a direct question.

    The child who could explore during the summer and jump from varying activities is the same child who frequently loses focus and can’t concentrate on subjects at school.

    My child has invisible learning disabilities.

    Many of them.

    However underneath them, she is still just a kid like your son or your daughter.  She is curious.  She is friendly.  She wants friends.  She craves connections.  She’s excited to learn.

    This year as you talk to you children about their new teacher, new classroom, and new adventures, I beg you to talk to your kids about being kind.  I beg you to explain to your child that children with disabilities are just like them, but it might take a little longer to understand or get to know them.  If nothing else though, please just teach your children to be kind.  Maybe ask about something they did that was kind alongside your questions of who they played with or what they learned.

    Our kids will thank you for it!

    Sincerely,

    A proud mama to a child with hidden disabilities