No Records Found
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Google Map Not Loaded
Sorry, unable to load Google Maps API.
- Mary
- Cousino
- No
My overall treatment approach begins with looking at where the breakdowns occur with regard to word shapes. Next I choose no more than 10 target words with syllable shapes they are capable of doing, and develop activities that will give the most practice and repetitions of target words. As they develop the ability to produce those words, they are moved into a less structured mode of practice and reinforcement, while the other target words continue to be practiced intensively. As words are mastered, new words are moved into the target word category. Previously learned words are monitored and utilized in different contexts. As new productions are mastered, prosody becomes a more prominent feature of the practice. When target production moves into the phrase and sentence context, phrasing and word stress in those contexts are practiced. Additionally, components of phonological awareness exercises are added to the overall treatment process.
I attended the first Apraxia Kids convention, and I have participated in several Walks for Apraxia in my area. Dr. Rebecca McCauley invited me to participate in a graduate seminar on CAS as a guest, and I have been invited to teach the graduate level lecture on CAS as part of the Motor Speech course at the Ohio State University (2017 being the third year invited).
When possible, the parents are invited to observe the sessions (at our facility that means being in the treatment room). They are asked for assistance in coming up with the important words in the child's environment that can become target words for production. Parents are given the words as well, and are taught how to look for good production, and are asked to do that at home to reinforce what has been focused on in treatment sessions. Sessions are also scheduled as frequently as possible (within the constraints of insurance coverage). The parents are true partners in the work of helping these little ones develop communication.
I currently have an older child who was untreated until age 11, working with ProLoQuo4Text. This is a way that he can be more "normal" in his high school environment, using his cell phone to type (text) what he needs to say. Reading and spelling skills are low, but the way the app is designed takes that into consideration. Pictures and choices are frequently utilized, as is sign for the very young children. iPads are used with the LAMP app at basic levels for these children in order to help them communicate in any way they can as their speech is addressed.