I’m mentally preparing myself for two full days at the apraxia conference. This essay just helped me turn a corner. I’ve now starting called Nea’s problem a “speech disorder” instead of a “speech delay”. Seems much more accurate and appropriate, especially now that she is 5.
Funny, really. I know the definition of apraxia: "Apraxia of speech, also known as verbal apraxia or dyspraxia, is a speech disorder in which a person has trouble saying what he or she wants to say correctly and consistently. It is not due to weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles (the muscles of the face, tongue, and lips). The severity of apraxia of speech can range from mild to severe." It’s been staring me in the face for a few years now. And yet I still called it a delay. Wishful thinking or just ignorance?
I wonder whether using this terminology earlier would have cut down on the annoying comments (previously discussed).
Detective stories
4 days ago
2 comments:
Good point. I still call is a speech delay and Shea is 5 too.
Disorder. Yes. Probably. That definition sure sounds like my boy but I never got anything as concise as that from any doctor.
About the comments, I like:
There is room in the world for Nea just the way she is. There is room in the world for Shea just the way he is.
XO
Hope it went well, and that you laughed at least as much as you cried!
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