All Entries in the "Apraxia" Category

Working Toward Intelligible Speech in Toddlers

“Now that my baby is finally talking, I can’t understand a word he’s saying!”  First we want them to talk, then once that happens, we complain that we can’t understand them.  This is a big concern among parents of toddlers, especially when you’ve waited longer than you expected for those first words.    
“Isn’t it normal not to understand what [...]

Is it Apraxia or a Phonological Disorder? Sorting out the Differences in Toddlers & Preschoolers

Many parents who start researching speech disorders have questions about the differences in apraxia, or motor planning difficulties, as compared to a phonological disorder.  “They sound the same to me,” is what many parents tell me.  Actually many professionals have questions too!  This is a common debate during the diagnostic process for many clinicians.  First, I’ll provide a brief overview of [...]

Making the Leap from Words to Phrases…. Tips for Helping Your Toddler Learn to Combine Words

Research tells us that toddlers with typically developing language possess a single word spontaneous vocabulary of 35-50 words before they begin to combine words into two-word phrases.  We should use this same guideline when deciding when to target phrases with children who are late talkers,  those with language disorders, and especially in children with apraxia, [...]

Successful Speech Therapy Strategies for Working with Toddlers with Apraxia and Other Speech-Language Difficulties

FOR TEACH ME TO TALK - THE DVD - STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS TO HELP TEACH TODDLERS TO TALK - CLICK HERE
I have received many questions about therapy techniques for toddlers (that is under age 3) with apraxia. Before I give you ideas that are specific to treating children with apraxia, I want to first outline what I [...]

Teaching Toddlers to Use the Words They Know to Change Their Worlds

“How many words can your baby say?”  To the parent of a late talker, this seemingly innocent question is the most hurtful thing anyone could ask.  New parents are often on a quest to see whose baby ”knows” the most. 
Many times expressive language is equated with intelligence.  As a parent of a late talker, you likely know that this is not true since many children [...]

Social Games for Babies and Toddlers

I have received lots of questions lately from mothers of babies who have older siblings with language problems.   They are so concerned about providing the “right” kinds of early activities to target language in their infants and younger babies, hoping to “head off” the difficulties their older children experienced.  This is a valid concern for these parents.  Late talking and other language difficulties do [...]

Is My Child Apraxic? Answers to a Parent’s Questions

Apraxia is a difficult diagnosis to understand. First I’ll tell you the “official” definition, and then I’ll tell you how I explain it to families that are on my caseload. At the end, I’ll give you my best advice for treating apraxia and can send you in the right direction for additional resources.
Apraxia is a [...]

Why Can’t My Child Talk? Common Types of Speech and Language Disorders

There are between 3 and 6 million children in the United States with  speech or language disorders.  As a pediatric speech-language pathologist specializing in early intervention , I work with children between birth and 3 years of age.  When I evaluate a child, after confirming parents’ suspicions that there is a definitive problem, the next question is usually some version [...]

Early Sign Language Vocabulary

Here are lists of signs that I teach late talking toddlers and their parents.  Remember the following guidelines for choosing signs to teach your toddler:

Choose signs that your toddler can USE to make a difference in his world.  I always teach words for things he already tries to ask for first since knowing what your kid wants when he’s crying, grunting, and pointing [...]

Help! My Child Won’t Imitate Words …. Begin with Imitating Movements & Sounds in Play

Learning to imitate sounds and words is a critical skill in a child’s quest to become verbal.  Many children who are apraxic, or who exhibit motor planning problems, have great difficulty learning to repeat words.   Teaching a child to imitate words often begins with teaching him HOW to imitate.  Sometimes it’s easier to start with movements of your body rather than with [...]