Speech Therapist in Training!

By the title of this post, you may think that I am referring to myself as the speech therapist in training. I am, however, not referring to myself, but to my 8 year old daughter Flash.

You can see her here, helping her little brother, Buster (4)  who has childhood apraxia of speech or dispraxia. This is a speech delay that I have described here.

There is actually some irony in what you can see in thist video. You see, Flash was also diagnosed with apraxia/dispraxia, when she was 3 years old (see here and here). After early intervention and exhaustive practice at home, she is now able to speak quite well, even though I was warned that she may never speak clearly.

It is my daughter, that gives me the best hope that Buster will too, win this battle against apraxia.

Flash is in a unique position as she seems to remember how it felt to have dispraxia. She is able to really understand and empathize with the difficulties Buster is having with is speech.  She also seems to get the best out of him and at the moment, Buster prefers to do his practice with his big sister.

I can’t help but get a little emotional when I watch Flash and Buster practicing their speech. The level of caring and patience Flash demonstrates for her little brother is enough to melt any mother’s heart…….

……. I am just so proud of them both…….

The device you see them using in the video is a 'smart chute’ from Smart kids. It’s purpose is to help kids develop literacy and numeracy, but I thought that it could be adapted to help Buster with his sounds and putting them together to make words.

He, like many other preschoolers just loves the concept of ‘posting’ the card. That action of posting, seems to be reward enough for having attempted to say the correct sound. You can see how much he enjoys using it in the video.

One of my major goals for this year is to ensure that I practice busters speech so that he can beat this apraxia curse….. so he can find, and share his beautiful voice with the world. I have been coming up with ways to keep his speech practice fun and exciting.

I was motivated to set out my goals in 2012 by my participation in the me and you link-up at The Mother Experiment. The  reins have now been handed over to A Parenting Life.

 The me and you, making it matter meme is a terrific way to start the process of figuring out your goals and receive support and encouragement from the wonderful community there.

You can find the 'me and YOU, making IT matter meme here:

I am also linking up with Jess, at Diary of a SAHM for #IBOT. Pop over to her inspirational blog to see what others have posted today!