My 3 year old might have verbal dyspraxia, any advice appriciated.

[mummyloveslucy]

I have been concerned about my daughters speech since she started nursery at 2. Before then we didn't know any other young children, and so thought nothing of the fact that she only babbled and said no understandable words appart from mu-mu and da-da. We then tried several times to get her reffered for a speech assessment, only to be told to come back when she's 3.
She has just had her first assessment and she has mentioned that it could be verbal dyspraxia and that she knows a lot of words but it's masked by a severe speech disorder. She said it was too early to tell and she wants to see her every week for one to one speech therapy, which I'm pleased about. She also said that she should have seen her a lot earlier and is going to call a meeting with H.V's to ask why they didn't refer her. I just wanted to know if any off you have children with verbal dyspraxia and with therapy do they learn to talk properly? Her co-ordination isn't as good as other childrens we've noticed and she was very slow in reaching her milestones. She has a good memory and really wants to communicate but finds it so frustrating. I'd really appreciate any advice or info on this. Thanks

i have no advise i'm afraid but my ds has speech delay and with help of salt is now able to express himself more clearly first off with the odd words and now managing to put some together

it is worrying and i hope it all works out for her i know how terribly frustrating it is for them and us >

and good luck

I can't help with the dyspraxia but I have you thought about trying to sign with your dd to ease her frustrations? We signed a little with our son and it really helped.

this book
was good as they can tell you if they are hungry, tired, upset etc.

I hope someone will be along soon to advise

A friend of mine has a wee boy with this condition. She battled to get HV's to refer her for ruether testing- like you, they kept saying come back later. He is a very bright wee boy, who was very frustrated by his inability to communicate. As far as I understood it, he can't seem to use his tongue properly to form the words. the good news? He is now 5 and halfway through primary 1, and he is a LOT better, thanks to speech and language lessons (althouhg it has been very time-consuming)He is doing well at school and enjoying it, and seems to be able to communicate with his classmates pretty well. He does still do some speech and language training, but don't think its as much now. Hth Jx

Thanks bubblagirl. We were advised by the SALT to limmit her frustrashion and help her self-esteme by blaming ourselves for not understanding her. eg saying when you don't understand "sorry Lucy Mummy can't understand you, silly Mummy". I tried this today and she started crying.
Could you imagine how bad that made me feel. I think she realises that there's somthing wrong and she is very sensitive. It's really hard isn't it!

Thanks muppetgirl, I'll ask SALT about that. It's got to be worth a try.
RedJools- I'm pleased to hear that children can end up doing well at school. This was a main concern, and dredding her not being able to make friends.

this book was written by a mum to 2 kids with verbal dyspraxia:-

www.amazon.co.uk/Parents-Guide-Speech-Language-Problems/dp/0071482458/ref=sr_1 _1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203709860&sr=8-1

Also google Nancy Kaufman and verbal dyspraxia

Think there is also some info on this site:-

www.speechteach.co.uk.

At least it sounds like she's understanding everything she should, which makes things easier.

You see I'm no expert but I was a teacher and I would say that a bright little girl would know you are humouring her and this would add to her frustation. She will be able to hear and understand others and know that she does not make the same sounds. I disagree with the experts sorry.

The baby signs aren't really 'baby' signs they are based on BSL and Makaton so she won't be babied as such. It just may help her in the interim whilst you are getting clearer help.

yes I'm a bit puzzled as well as to how you blaming yourself to her would reduce her frustration. would have thought the best way to reduce frustration would be set up some alternative communication systems like signing until her speech gets clearer.

I just thought the speech therapist must have said it because she thought it'd help. It obviously didn't and made me feel awfull as well. I wish she hadn't told us to do that. It was bad advice, I'll let her know what happened so she won't give the same advice to others. She does realise that she's different from the others, I admire her spirt so much because she is still so happy, friendly and eager to please.

you may find more info from people on the special needs board - i think quite a few people have dc with dyspraxia.

This may sound odd and I apologise if you've already done this....

Have you told your dd that it isn't her fault, she isn't silly or not intelligent (I hate the word 'stupid') that she has something that stops her from speaking clearly. She may be frustrated due to not understanding what is happening to her.

i find giving choices even if they only point at what they want helps as they feel they have achieved something

so water or juice even small attempt to say or point at really praise

same with fruit hold the fruit orange or apple and then again praise foe efforts

i never say to my ds mummy doesnt understand he cries too

i jsust say come and show mummy take m y hand let him lead me to whatever then say oh you want what ever it is

ive been told to verbalise evrything i'm doing as to speak they need to understand the actions that go with the words

so daily i'm talkimng through everything i'm doing and his doing

it does help as my ds has improved over last 2 days have seen a major change still long way to go but big improvement already

its just a matter of repeating and not trying to get them to repeat

my assessment from salt says at the moment not to frustrate by trying to get him to repeat words just say them to him its more about him listening but offering choices

giving toys one at a time and saying more my ds now says more and help through doing this

good luck

Hi my DS has/had verbal dyspraxia and although he started SALT a little earlier than your DD, he has made remarkable progress. He now has almost normal sounding speech, although there are still a few odd vowel sounds still there.

I see that total chaos has given you the links I would have done, had I got there first

I would also advise you to try and get hold of a copy of the Mr Tongue exercises (I will have a little google and see if I can find a link once the children are in bed, but your SALT should be able to get you a copy if not). Done regularly, these help improve the child's control over the movements of the tongue which can be a big part of the condition.

Try to get a routine going each day for 10mins or so, to practice the SALT exercises you will get to do with your child. Being ruthless about practice is difficult, but it will make a huge difference to the outcome if done regularly. Almost all of the exercises we did were game based and great fun to do, so it shouldn't be too much of a chore

The frustration is good imo, it is what will spur her on to want to practice as she gets older and more aware - but managing it a little in the short term is good also.

I worried enormously that DS would end up being bullied, or teased over his speech once he started school - but you know - not once has any child even commented on it!

Just seen your comment re blaming yourself for not understanding her.

I think it might have been clumsily put but I think it is better for the child to hear 'I'm sorry sweetie, could you repeat that again for me, I didn't catch what you said'. I don't think there is any need for the 'silly mummy' comment at the end though!

Muppetgirl- no I haven't done that with her as I don't think she'd understand. Her understanding is quite basic really. I could try but she wouldn't understand words like fault, problem or difficultie. I would have to find a way of saying it really simply.
She does have loads of choices etc during the day. She is, I think trying to controll everything she possibly can. I suppose it's because she feels she can't controll her voice, so she wants to controll everything else to gain confidence. She dosn't tantrum if she can't have somthing or anything like that. But she does follow a ver strict routeen and everything has to be done in a spacific way and order eg- staying in the bath until all the water is gone, even though she's freezing cold.