Apraxia of Speech & Kindergarten

Hi everyone I've posted before but not too frequently about my DS who is 5 and has apraxia of speech. He received prompt therapy for the past year. After his summer sessions end next week he will CSE & while they are giving him speech at school 3x a week (2 1:1, 1 3:1) they cannot guarantee he will get prompt. We had a 2 hour session with the SD in May where we fought them but in the end they were not required to speficially promise the method of speech he would receive. Anyway, I am beside myself bc he's really hard to understand still and his voice fluctuates so much, he can so easily be drowned out and very hard to hear. I feel like he's going to get lost or teased and/or make no friends. I feel so bad for him and don't know what to do. We looked into it and it is true, they were not required to promised any particular method. I don't know what we should do. Supplement him with prompt out of pocket? We can obviously do that but I almost feel like he's not even making progress there either. I hear so many parents talk about the amazing changes with prompt and I don't feel lilke he's made that many strides.

Any advice? Should we look for another prompt therapist? Would he have more success with a different therapist?? What can I do with the school? He's in regular ed Kindergarten and will be in with 18 other kids, how can I ensure he doesn't get lost? They determined he does not need any help in the class.

I'm so worried, I thought he was getting better, I really did. Now I feel like he's not.

Any advice?

Re: Apraxia of Speech & Kindergarten

I'm PROMPT trained, but don't always use the technique to treat my students with apraxia. There are other methods that are evidence-based, so take comfort in that.

Has he started therapy at his school without PROMPT? How open is his school or therapist to getting trained in PROMPT? Considering he has shown documented progress using PROMPT, maybe someone might be willing to foot the bill to get his therapist trained. I paid out of pocket for my training years ago, but then my school district paid for us to take the training anyway. I know of other therapists who used their medicaid funds to pay for training.

In your case, if you feel this strongly is it possible for you to go private for additional speech services? I have quite a few students who receive private speech in addition to the time that I give them. I work very closely with the private therapists to ensure the best carryover for the student. In fact it was because of a student receiving PROMPT that I initially got trained.

Good luck to you! Kindergarteners tend to be VERY accepting of their peers, so try not to worry that he'll be made fun of. I am always amazed at how loving they are at that age.

Message edited 8/7/2011 7:04:30 PM.

Re: Apraxia of Speech & Kindergarten

You have FM

Re: Apraxia of Speech & Kindergarten

Have you tried changing his diet? I made my son gluten free casein free and saw changes within days of starting the diet. His speech has greatly improved along with other things. Hth's

Re: Apraxia of Speech & Kindergarten

Have you tried efalex or DHA? I am starting my DD on it tomorrow and some have success. I also saw a difference on GF diet (not huge or immediate but encouraging and the attempts at language were definitely better).

Re: Apraxia of Speech & Kindergarten

You have FM