DVD- Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia

**Happy2be3** · 29-11-2009 21:21

Hi all, well its been a long hard 2 years, my DS has just turned 2 and has been dx'd with Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia. Anyone else out there have children with this speech disorder?

Any tips on what therapies helped you specifically, what you found helped at home etc?

I read about a communication book on a website which I think could be a great idea especially now DS is getting older. Basically you buy a big journal and whoever is looking after the child fills in what the child did that day eg "went to the zoo with grandma and he really loved the elephants!" or "went shopping and bought an icecream with chocolate on top!" so that when he comes home (or mum or dad comes home) the parent who wasnt there can read in the book and it helps start conversations with the child. It also helps the parent who wasnt there to understand what the child might be trying to say to them ie- trying to tell daddy about the chocolate icecream he ate but all that comes out of his mouth is "ooo eeem" etc etc

Have watched some youtube video's and honestly its quite daunting what we could be dealing with. My inlaws and friends are always saying "oh, whats verbal dyspraxia? Oh, well surely he'll be talking fine in a year or 2 though wont he? Oh, well he'll be talking fine in time for school though wont he?" ...

Its frustrating that no-one has heard of this speech disorder too.

**avb381** · 08-12-2009 15:33

Hi Happy2be3,
my daughter has been diagnosed with Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia aswell and I too had trouble finding any information, my doctor had to look dyspraxia up in the dictionary when the speech therapist sent him a report! We have just started a not for profit organisation to help get the information out there, check out our website www.alexshouse.org.au and leave a comment if you would like more information sent to you, or if you would just like someone to chat with about DVD. We have set up a facebook group called Alex's House to chat, share info and stories and support each other, but its in early stages, join now if you would like.
If you would like to chat, feel free to message me.

**Happy2be3** · 21-12-2009 22:09

THanks SO much for your reply. There must be others out there, lets keep this thread visible! I have joined your facebook group and will do my best to spread the word about it

May i ask what therapies you are doing, how often, any little tips you may have to offer would be great. My DS is going to public ST once a week and seems to be doing well.. slowly of course

**avb381** · 22-12-2009 10:09

Thanks, it is all about getting the word around. I have my daughter in private speech so I only go once a month and then have homework to do. Waiting lists are ssoooo long for anything else and then its nothing permanent, thats why I decided to go private. She's coming along well, slowly but surely. We have to get her ready for kindergarten 2011 so thats a big job, I'm thinking of the local steiner school as she doesnt cope well with pressure and they have the same teacher right through so I dont need to explain each year. Just gotta work out how to afford it......decide that later!
At home, I have made picture cards, just through google images, of simple sounds and common words and we play snap games, matching the pictures with each other, saying the sounds/words, colouring the pictures in as we say them, so saying the words is not so much about hard work.
Alos have been told to do big hand movements with sounds again to take the emphasis off the pressure of making the sounds.
Its all down to consistency and keep trying.
Good Luck!

**Happy2be3** · 23-12-2009 08:53

Originally Posted by avb381

Thanks, it is all about getting the word around. I have my daughter in private speech so I only go once a month and then have homework to do. Waiting lists are ssoooo long for anything else and then its nothing permanent, thats why I decided to go private.

I noticed youre in Perth, I havnt really had that problem over here in Brissie.. I mean we DID have to wait 4 months or so for DS to be seen by a Speech therapist in the public system but now he's in with her, he's been seeing her for almost a year now (since he was about13 months old).. luckily cuz of his eating issues (caused by the verbal/oral dyspraxia) I just knew something was wrong and he got in very early compared to most kids who arent seen till they are 3 or so. His ST did say to me the other day she would have to rotate him out of the system for a few months after his next round of 6 sessions so that she can make room to see new clients, and then she'll rotate him back in and see him again for more sessions. She also said she will keep seeing him up to the age of prep.

My DS will be going (hopefully, eating and speech issues allowing) to kindy in 2011.. really have to get my butt into gear and put his name on some waiting lists! My DS is quite a fragile kind of child too, very observant, sits back and watches people, not too social with people unless he knows them very very well etc etc.. I worry how he will be in school, about bullying and stuff.. I hope his speech is alot better by school, you know how cruel kids can be!

**Hootenanny** · 23-12-2009 09:11

Hi
my ds1 who is now 13 was diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia when he was 3. He scored very low on his expressive language but very high on his receptive language skills, so even though he wasn't able to express himself very well he understood everything.
We went to speech therapy for around 1 year, we had some cards with pictures on them with the same sound patterns, ie sh words, ch words etc and we would work on them one at a time until he had mastered the sound. Just make sure you keep it fun and practice at home often, it makes all the difference.
The differences I have noticed in him, he was quiet at preschool and didn't really play much with others and if he was placed in a stressful situation he would occassionally lash out as he couldn't find the words he needed. I think the key to that when he is older is to work on some phrases he can use or something he can do when he is under pressure.
All that being said he has always been exceptionally observant and bright, he is probably one of the brightest kids in his class and is a very talented artist and musician. He is also popular with everyone. Like most developmental issues there is a great variance of effects but I think the best approach is to work on the deficiencies and highlight the strengths, all kids have something they excel at, encourage their interests.
He still has his moments (he IS 13) but I luff him just the way he is.