Month: June 2022

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech ( CAS)? 

Deborah A. Chalifoux, MA, CCC-SLP

 

 

 

Apraxia is a motor speech disorder that makes it hard to speak. The cause of Apraxia is unknown. If a child has apraxia of speech, it can take a lot of work for them to learn to say sounds and words better. Speech-Language pathologists or SLP’s can help!

 

There are muscles in the mouth and jaw that are used to make sounds. Messages that tell these muscles how and when to move need to go from your brain to your mouth in order for speech to occur. In some children, the messages do not get through correctly. Although their muscles are not weak, the child might not be able to move their lips or tongue in the right ways. This is because the brain is having difficulty coordinating the appropriate speech muscles. As a result, these children have problems saying sounds, syllables, and words, and sometimes might not be able to say much at all. When this occurs, a child is said to be experiencing “Apraxia of Speech”, or “Childhood Apraxia of Speech” (CAS).

 

Signs and Symptoms

 

 

 

  • does not always say words the same way every time;
  • tends to put the stress on the wrong syllable or word;
  • distorts or changes sounds;
  • or say shorter words more clearly than longer words

 

Children with CAS may have other problems, including:

 

  • difficulty with fine motor skills;
  • delayed language; or
  • problems with reading, spelling, and writing.

 

Seeing a Professional

 

If you are concerned that your child may have CAS, consult your local school district’s office of special services, or find an ASHA certified-SLP in your area on the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) website: www.asha.org/profind. A certified-SLP who has knowledge and experience with CAS can conduct a full evaluation of your child’s speech and language.  He or she can diagnose CAS and rule out other speech disorders. If you suspect CAS, you should also consult with your pediatrician, who can check for any medical problems. In addition, it is also important to have your child’s hearing checked by an audiologist, as a child with a hearing loss may have more trouble learning to talk.

 

Benefits of Speech Therapy

 

CAS is sometimes called “developmental apraxia.” Even though the word “developmental” is used, CAS is not a problem that children outgrow. A child with CAS will not learn speech sounds in typical order and will not make progress without treatment. If your child is diagnosed with CAS, an speech therapy treatment plan can be made with your SLP. It can take a lot of work, but with the appropriate treatment, a child’s speech can improve!

 

Other Resources

 

The above information was taken from the ASHA website.  To read ASHA’s full article on CAS, please visit: www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/

 

Additional websites with info on CAS are:

www.apraxia-kids.org

www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/apraxia-speech

 

–Deborah A. Chalifoux, MA, CCC-SLP

 

 

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Distracted Parenting

 

Social Media is without a doubt a very useful tool to communicate with the world on a grand scale! FB  and Instagram posts have become a part of our day and replaced many real-life interactions with families. This phenomenon is known as Technology Induced Inattentive Parenting.   In fact, over the last 5 years, studies on the subject have multiplied!  Making the Internet and modern parents usage of it, the focus.

The impact distracted inattentive parenting has on social development has been and is being researched right now.  And some results are not good.  Delays in speech/ language and cognition.  Anxiety and depression.  And some behavioral disorders.  As well as a higher percentage of injuries associated with Repeated incidents labeled as “inattentive parenting”.  But without the internet?  You probably aren’t reading this now!

The answer to parents is a better balance.  But how?  We know less interaction and response to the child’s attempts to ask questions has a negative effect on a child’s development. Study after study is finding evidence that the increased use of cell phones during family time is showing negative impacts on parent-child relationships. And studies have now shown, the use of handheld technology is common today for over 60% of children in the  6 to12 age group.  That group when polled reported their parents are often distracted by cell phones or tablets when children try to ask parents questions.  This is not the most positive trend.

A child’s behavior is his/her language. Non Verbal children especially have additional challenges in expressing their frustration and emotional distress.  Being distracted by technology is the same as being inattentive to the many cues children use to communicate. Can you imagine the impact on babies and toddlers? 

Babies come into the world wired to communicate.  Newborn infants instinctually look to their parents to begin to understand the sights and sounds of their brand new world!   So much is happening for them all at the same time. Learning to trust and learn from the adults in their world who meet their needs for feeding, diaper changing, comfort, and learning too! If a child cries it is to communicate a message to his/ her parent and how that parent responds sets a tone. This is the basis for trust in all parent-child relationships! Babies as young as newborns; look to their parents’ facial expressions to gain important information and most social cues!  Being distracted by our phones as the baby is attempting similarly sends a message. 

Studies have shown distracted parents often miss critical signs or social cues from their babies before crying. Putting the child’s safety and emotional health at risk. For them, interaction is necessary for their Survival!  Repeated incidents of disengagement can have lasting impacts on parent-child bonding and relationships later in life. 

So is the answer to throw away all of our devices?

Probably too extreme.  But, there is a very sound reason to consider creating a better balance between parenting and helping our children flourish.  And extremely important reasons why! 

Taking the time to ignore a text to interact with an infant may be potentially devastating for the text sender.  But for your child?  It is another example of how paying attention to the smallest thing can help avoid thousands in therapy! Or at least shift the focus of conversation! 

In part two of this Mama talk?  More about what helps our kids grow.  And ways to avoid the most common detractors of a Parent’s attention!   

Dianne Galante is a Former NYS Infant/Toddler Resource Network Specialist for Long Island.

Wait.. What’s Happening? How to avoid conflict on the playground or anywhere else! 

Do you find yourself getting anxious at the thought of going to the playground with your preschooler? Play Date Panic setting in? Worried that your child may get hurt or hurt someone else? Find yourself hovering over your little one anxiously worrying anticipating a fall or a fight? Find out how to deal with conflicts on the playground, Pushy Parents. meltdowns and the dreaded …It’s time to go but your little one outright refuses to cooperate! Find pro tips and tricks Mama 2 Mama that actually work! Real Talk Real Solutions …. Coming June 17 

““Studies have shown distracted parents often miss critical signs or social cues…

Dianne Galante

Early Childhood Educator

Out of the mouths of Children! Watch Reactions Reunion Recovery 

Watch and listen ——————————

i

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Studies have shown distracted parents often miss critical signs or social cues…

 

 

 

 

 

Distracted parenting: What’s Happening  

   Here? 

Social Media is without a doubt a very useful tool to communicate with the world on a grand scale! FB  and Instagram posts have become a part of our day and replaced many real-life interactions with families. This phenomenon is known as Technology Induced Inattentive Parenting.   In fact, over the last 5 years, studies on the subject have multiplied!  Making the Internet and modern parents usage of it, the focus.

The impact distracted inattentive parenting has on social development has been and is being researched right now.  And some results are not good.  Delays in speech/ language and cognition.  Anxiety and depression.  And some behavioral disorders.  As well as a higher percentage of injuries associated with Repeated incidents labeled as “inattentive parenting”.  But without the internet?  You probably aren’t reading this now!

The answer to parents is a better balance.  But how?  We know less interaction and response to the child’s attempts to ask questions has a negative effect on a child’s development. Study after study is finding evidence that the increased use of cell phones during family time is showing negative impacts on parent-child relationships. And studies have now shown, the use of handheld technology is common today for over 60% of children in the  6 to12 age group.  That group when polled reported their parents are often distracted by cell phones or tablets when children try to ask parents questions.  This is not the most positive trend.

A child’s behavior is his/her language. Non Verbal children especially have additional challenges in expressing their frustration and emotional distress.  Being distracted by technology is the same as being inattentive to the many cues children use to communicate. Can you imagine the impact on babies and toddlers? 

Babies come into the world wired to communicate.  Newborn infants instinctually look to their parents to begin to understand the sights and sounds of their brand new world!   So much is happening for them all at the same time. Learning to trust and learn from the adults in their world who meet their needs for feeding, diaper changing, comfort, and learning too! If a child cries it is to communicate a message to his/ her parent and how that parent responds sets a tone. This is the basis for trust in all parent-child relationships! Babies as young as newborns; look to their parents’ facial expressions to gain important information and most social cues!  Being distracted by our phones as the baby is attempting similarly sends a message. 

Studies have shown distracted parents often miss critical signs or social cues from their babies before crying. Putting the child’s safety and emotional health at risk. For them, interaction is necessary for their Survival!  Repeated incidents of disengagement can have lasting impacts on parent-child bonding and relationships later in life. 

So is the answer to throw away all of our devices?

Probably too extreme.  But, there is a very sound reason to consider creating a better balance between parenting and helping our children flourish.  And extremely important reasons why! 

Taking the time to ignore a text to interact with an infant may be potentially devastating for the text sender.  But for your child?  It is another example of paying attention to the smallest thing can help avoid thousands in therapy! Or at least shift the focus of conversation! 

In part two of this Mama talk?  More about what helps our kids grow.  And ways to avoid the most common detractors of a Parent’s attention!   

Dianne Galante is a Former NYS Infant/Toddler Resource Network Specialist for Long Island.