Apraxia

Can you imagine if it took you 3,000 repetitions of something before you actually learned how to do it or were able to do it?  3,000 repetitions of practicing the sound of "O" before you could say it.  Then 3,000 repetitions of "P".  Then "E".  Then "N".  Then put them all together for 3,000 repetitions to say "Open". 

How frustrating would it be if you could think it in your mind but you couldn't make your mouth form the word.  You couldn't communicate to someone that you wanted something opened.  Or whatever the word was.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)- is a motor speech disorder.  Children with CAS have problems saying sounds, syllables, and words. This is not because of muscle weakness or paralysis. The brain has problems planning to move the body parts (e.g., lips, jaw, tongue) needed for speech. The child knows what he or she wants to say, but his/her brain has difficulty coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words.

This is the working diagnosis for Siahna.  And there may be other diagnosis's for her as well in the future, but this is her speech diagnosis.

How do you "treat" it?  Therapy 2-3 times a week for short intervals.  Repetition, repetition, repetition.  Practice, practice, practice.

We will be starting private speech therapy soon and the cost of doing that 2-3 times a week is overwhelming.  We will probably be getting some sort of electronic talking device and that price is even more daunting.  We are probably starting private swim lessons soon because she can't be in a class with peers and perform the same.

And, thank you insurance for nothing.  These are the things she needs more than a yearly check-up but you won't help us pay for any of it.  And thank you scholarships for being there and for always telling us that Jeff makes too much money and we should be able to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars each month for these things because that's our only expense in life.

Frustrated.

But, despite all that, I won't let apraxia define my little girl.  Above all, she is a Child of God.  Wonderfully made.  Dearly loved and precious in His sight.  Before God made her, he knew her.  There is no one else like her!