So with Callum's suspected apraxia, his therapy has now changed. The hardest part of speech for me, is I don't know the terminology or the different nuances in speech. So it makes it harder for me to discuss, since I don't know what I'm talking about.
Previously, his therapy consisted of playing with things he likes, and the therapist saying the words of objects, trying to get him to ask for things, etc. For a child with a regular delay, this often works well. He has made such slow progress, coupled with some other signs, that she began to suspect the real issue is apraxia, which is actually a neuro disorder.
I really like this blog, written by a mom who's son had/has apraxia https://jakes-journey-apraxia.com/
Last week his SLP's (speech-language pathologist) supervisor came out to observe him. When I got home from work at 3, they were already there and Callum was being a huge show off. I hate when kids show off. I am a crotchety old lady but it's a pet peeve (and yes, I remember doing the "show off" thing as a kid, and I am just as annoyed with my old self). So after reining that in, I sat down with them and watched/participated in the session. Callum definitely said more words and was more engaged than he has been before, honestly probably because someone new was there.
Some of the therapies she is doing now, involve integrating motor movements with sounds. So like, she'll make her arms into an O shape while saying Ooooo. There's all different kinds of movements to do with the sounds. She gave me print outs of them, as well as letter sounds to say for different objects - kinda hard to explain, maybe I'll post a picture of what I'm talking about. They also do things like G-g-Gooooo while pushing a car. Basically exaggerating the first letter sound of a word.They also take the Z-vibe stick with the sucker on the end and try to work his mouth. although he usually wants to do it himself, which is providing little therapeutic benefit, and he throws a tantrum when it's the therapists "turn." They also had him doing things on paper with a bingo dotter marker yesterday while she said "ddddot, ddddot." He said some new sounds and words, like for Open, On, Mine, Yes (not new, but he did it a lot). I'm not sure if they're official signs but they also incorporate hand signs in with words too, which is helpful because if he does the sign at least we know what the heck he wants.
The supervisor took lots of notes. She agreed that it may be apraxia and said he qualifies for additional therapy. So I think we may add another day...bringing us to 3 days. That won't start till the summer though.
I need to write down all the words he says regularly, ones he's said but doesn't say now, and ones he's said in therapy. The amt he should say varies on what source you ask, but somewhere between 100-150 for age 2, and 300 by age 3. My child says around 10. Mama, Dada ALL the time. No, nah, na-na (grandma), more, woo (for dog), woo woo (for train). Sometimes he'll say ow. He's started doing "phh" for phone and today he did it for fan. He makes a parched expiratory sound when he wants a drink. He clucks like a chicken when he wants to eat (because his favorite food is chicken nuggets), makes helicoptor and planes sounds (sounds that I can't even replicate). Rarr for a dinosaur/dragon/monster/lion. We got him to say a soft "t" sound for the tablet this week. He usually makes a sound of his tongue lapping (like the goats on a game on there)when he wants it. He also makes a "Sss Sss" sound, for spiderman. Makes sounds imitation for a few other things, but they are NOT words. That's what we hear at home. He's said bus, Linds (for his aunt), mine (mostly in therapy), Uma (for grandma uma), train, mUe (for museum), Butch (from thomas the train lol), open, off, and some others that I've forgotten. These words he does not say regularly, or for some, ever again.
He also has a repertoire of made up signs, like if you say "be careful, you could get hurt!" he will tap his head...meaning hit your head, which he knows hurts. Or if I say something about getting in trouble... he hits his stomach, like he's being spanked. Ya'll we don't even spank him, lol I don't get it! He is super rambunctious and will just run in circles, waving his arms, laughing, talking in his sounds, picking stuff up just to throw it, climbing EVERYTHING, pulling on curtains. He's started going up to something he knows he shouldn't touch or do and just saying "No! No!" while shaking his finger, and then touching or doing it. Lol like he's saving me the trouble of telling him no.
Last week I suddenly thought to tell his SLP about how he's always gagged really easily, can never recover from it, and will vomit. Since he was a baby. I remember it started when he started solids, so like pureed foods.My mom said she remembers him gagging on bottles (the early months are a blur for me now lol). I clean up puke at least 2x a week. To me it's just so normal, I forget about it, that's the only reason I can think of as to why I didn't deem it pertinent to tell her before. As I was telling her she had a look on her face and then said, "you know, I am a swallow and feeding specialist. Like I have specialty certification." I didn't know. She said that is NOT normal. Back in the fall, we took Callum to the pediatrician for it and they talked about doing an upper GI. At the time we declined because it seemed invasive to do. But it hasn't gotten better and now with the speech problems on top of it, it may be a good idea.
Today he had an appt with the pediatrician. She thinks its not a GI issue but a swallowing and feeding issue. So...she said an OT referral would be best. I should contact early intervention about it. Idk, I am just so burnt out from it all and don't want him in therapy every dang day! Part of me is just like whatever, maybe he'll out grow it. Maybe nothing is really that wrong. I don't know.
It super sucks having an almost 2.5 year old who has the expressive speech of a baby. However his receptive speech is perfect and the SLPs yesterday said he's actually still really good at communicating using his own ways. He tells stories using his sounds, his body and arms, and his facial expressions. You pretty much can tell what he's talking about and wants 90% of the time. His therapist also thinks HE THINKS he's saying words, even though it's just jargon sound to us. That jargon sound is also misleading, because you'd probably think he says more than 8 real words, since he's constantly chattering (in correct syntax of the English language) so I think it fools the mind into thinking he's actually talking. Maybe that makes it worse because we kinda just know, so we didn't make him talk more. I have noticed within the past maybe 2 weeks, he's had increased frustration trying to communicate with us because there are times I have to just say "I don't know what you want" and then he's crying and tantruming.
I hate that he's different in this one stupid area and pray that the fact he is fine in all other ways means he'll improve his speech sooner than later. It doesn't really matter now but I don't want him in preschool and kindergarten and not speaking well and other kids avoid him because he's awkward and they can't talk with him or something. It also just sucks not being able to ask him questions and get to know what he thinks. It just feels like I'm missing out and he's missing out on something.
I have cried over it and just wish he was 100% "normal" but he's not and he's just behind in speech. Eric is much more relaxed about it, thinks he's fine just developing at his own pace. I think that helps rein me in from my mom-worry. But still, if you have a child that didn't or doesn't have speech issues, just be thankful!
PS. he will be attending preschool in the fall 2 days a week that also focuses on speech. I am too tired to type that all out now but we are hoping the whole socialization, structure and curriculum will help.
