Girl With A Funny Accent

There they go again. Your child with Apraxia is crawling or stumbling their way to a cool toy, without even asking or trying to ask for it. Or you're picking up your child from that after-school program and realize they are playing alone. They do not seem phased by this: by the extra effort in stumbling to their toy or even playing by themselves, yet this is crushing you.

We live in a social, communicative world. We only exist when others acknowledge us.

So how exactly is your child with Apraxia seemingly content with self-sufficiency, this level of independence that most Adults lack? Obviously they will need to learn how to engage in this overly social world, but for now-why are they incredibly independent?

Kids adjust to their environment in order to satisfy their desires. When a child with Apraxia learns that no one understands them, it doesn't take away their desire to play with the cool Toy Truck or Barbie Doll in the corner.

In the beginning they may cry and babble, tryi…

Summer before high school and my close friend and I were shopping at Forever 21 or Wet Seal, or some sort of pre-teen shop. There were a couple cute guys making eye contact through the store's glass windows and waving at us. We, of course, were also making googly eyes and flirtatiously waving back. What's a girl to do, right?

Eventually, these two cute boys joined us at the store. They started talking to us and my friend responded with some sort of joke, and we all laughed.

They asked us what school we went to and I responded, "We are going to John Burroughs High School next year."

Except, out of my mouth, I did not say 'Burroughs.' I most likely said, 'Buhwoughs.'

Their eyes of admiration and interest changed suddenly. If you've ever seen your first impression shatter before your eyes, that's what I saw.

Their interest turned to, "Oh, you looked cool but you didn't look like you had a problem."

Out they left.

My friend cheered m…

I attended Speech Therapy privately at Cal State University Northridge (or, CSUN) and also through our public school system for almost 13-14 years total. Could you imagine? It was 1-3 times a week, for a half hour to an hour. Speech Therapy was practically a part-time job for me, on top of school, and other extracurriculars any child should participate in.

Around Middle and High School, many children with Apraxia discuss or mention quitting Speech Therapy, how they no longer want to attend, and how exhausted they are.

Sometimes, a little break here and there can help reset their attitudes.

However, what if it's an unfixable state?

Ever have a job you absolutely hated? Well, would a month vacation help you like that job? I doubt it, if you truly hated that job you would never want to return.

Between Freshman and Sophomore year in High School, my patience with Speech Therapy was severely low. I hated going, but it was so much more than that. I hated that I wasn't getting out of …