Better Speech and Hearing Month and Apraxia Awareness Month!
To help raise awareness about different communication disorders, I will be posting about a different communication disorder throughout the month of May and explaining how we can work as a community to help create better learning opportunities for individuals with communication disorders.
The Speech Barn will also be releasing SUMMER SPECIALS & a GIVEAWAY throughout the month of May! If you are looking for speech services for the summer months keep an eye out for these specials over the next three weeks!
What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a neurological speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to accurately plan and program underlying movements needed for clear speech. Children with this diagnosis often have a good understanding of language, they know what they want to say they just struggle in their ability to carry out the necessary motor movements to form the words.
What Helps?
Speech Therapy
Early identification and proper diagnosis! Individual therapy sessions that are frequent and intensive. Therapy must be appropriate for the underlying problem of speech motor planning and programming.
Communication
Children with Apraxia often need alternative methods to help them communicate their wants, needs and ideas while learning to speak clearly. These could be in the form of pictures, sign language, and gestures.
Love & Support
From family, relatives and community members! Patience is key when working with this population. Remember to give them the opportunity to try to communicate what they want to you before you give up. Learning the best ways to support the child’s speech attempts and not pressuring the child to speak. It is extremely important that their communication partners are patient and caring, providing them time to communicate their wants and needs in a way that is appropriate for them at that time.
I personally have worked with many children with this diagnosis and have seen how far each and every one of them have come. It truly is remarkable to watch them grow each and every session. Nothing is more rewarding than watching a parent hear their child say their name for the first time or clearly tell them what they want to eat later that day.
Please head over to https://www.apraxia-kids.org/awareness/ and consider donating to this amazing organization and find out how you can help spread awareness for Childhood Apraxia of Speech! Every child deserves a voice!
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