Parent Informationben_admino2021-02-10T00:40:52+00:00

Parent Information

Childhood Apraxia

Developmental Milestones

Childhood Apraxia

Children with CAS have problems saying sounds, syllables, and words. This is not because of muscle weakness or paralysis. The brain has problems planning to move the body parts (e.g., lips, jaw, tongue) needed for speech. The child knows what he or she wants to say, but his/her brain has difficulty coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words.

What are some signs or symptoms of childhood apraxia of speech?

Does not coo or babble as an infant
First words are late, and they may be missing sounds
Only a few different consonant and vowel sounds
Problems combining sounds; may show long pauses between sounds

Simplifies words by replacing difficult sounds with easier ones or by deleting difficult sounds (although all children do this, the child with apraxia of speech does so more often)
May have problems eating

Stuttering

What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak.

What causes stuttering?
There are four factors most likely to contribute to the development of stuttering: genetics ( approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also); child development (children with other speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stutter); neurophysiology ( recent research has shown that people who stutter process speech and language in different areas of the brain than those who do not stutter); and family dynamics ( high expectations and fast-paced lifestyles can contribute to stuttering).

Can stuttering be treated?
Yes, there are a variety of successful approaches for treating children. In general, the earlier, the better is good advice.

Childhood Apraxia

Developmental Milestones

Childhood Apraxia

Developmental Milestones

Developmental Milestones

By Age 1

Milestones

Recognizes name, Says 2-3 words besides “mama” and “dada”, Imitates familiar words, Understands simple instructions, Recognizes words as symbols for objects: Car – points to garage, cat – meow.

Activities to encourage your child’s language

Respond to your child’s coos, gurgles, and babbling, Talk to your child as you care for him or her throughout the day, Read colorful books to your child every day, Tell nursery rhymes and sing songs, Teach your child the names of everyday items and familiar people, Take your child with you to new places and situations, Play simple games with your child such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”.

Age 1-2

Milestones

Understands “no”, Uses 10 to 20 words (including names), Combines two words such as “daddy bye-bye”, Waves good-bye and plays pat-a-cake, Makes the “sounds” of familiar animals, Gives a toy when asked, Uses words such as “more” to make wants known, Points to his or her toes, eyes, and nose, Brings object from another room when asked.

Activities to encourage your child’s language

Reward and encourage early efforts at saying new words, Talk to your baby about everything you’re doing while you’re with him, Talk simply, clearly, and slowly to your child, Talk about new situations before you go, while you’re there, and again when you are home, Look at your child when he or she talks to you, Describe what your child is doing, feeling, hearing, Let your child listen to children’s records and tapes, Praise your child’s efforts to communicate.

Age 2-3

Milestones

Identifies body parts, Carries on ‘conversation’ with self and dolls, Asks “what’s that?” and “where’s my?”, Uses 2-word negative phrases such as “no want”, Forms some plurals by adding “s” (book – books), Has a 450 word vocabulary, Gives first name, Holds up fingers to tell age, Combines nouns and verbs “mommy go”, Understands simple time concepts: “last night”, “tomorrow”, Refers to self as “me” rather than by name, Tries to get adult attention: “watch me”, Likes to hear same story repeated, May say “no” when means “yes”, Talks to other children as well as adults, Solves problems by talking instead of hitting or crying, Answers “where” questions, Names common pictures and things, Uses short sentences like “me want more” or “me want cookie”, Matches 3-4 colors, Knows big and little.

Activities to encourage your child’s language

Repeat new words over and over, Help your child listen and follow instructions by playing games: “pick up the ball,” “Touch Daddy’s nose”, Take your child on trips and talk about what you see before, during and after the trip, Let your child tell you answers to simple questions, Read books every day, perhaps as part of the bedtime routine, Listen attentively as your child talks to you, Describe what you are doing, planning, thinking, Have the child deliver simple messages for you (Mommy needs you, Daddy ), Carry on conversations with the child, preferably when the two of you have some quiet time together, Ask questions to get your child to think and talk, Show the child you understand what he or she says by answering, smiling, and nodding your head, Expand what the child says; if he says, “more juice,” you say, “Adam wants more juice.”.

Age 3-4

Milestones

Can tell a story, Has a sentence length of 4-5 words, Has a vocabulary of nearly 1000 words, Names at least one color, Understands “yesterday,” “summer”, “lunchtime”, “tonight”, “little-big”, Begins to obey requests like “put the block under the chair”, Knows his or her last name, name of street on which he/she lives, Knows several nursery rhymes.

Activities to encourage your child’s language

Talk about how objects are the same or different, Help your child to tell stories using books and pictures, Let your child play with other children, Read longer stories to your child, Pay attention to your child when he’s talking, Talk about places you’ve been or will be going.

Age 4-5

Milestones

Has sentence length of 4-5 words, Uses past tense correctly, Has a vocabulary of nearly 1500 words, Points to colors red, blue, yellow and green, Identifies triangles, circles and squares, Understands “In the morning” , “next”, “noontime”, Can speak of imaginary conditions such as “I hope”, Asks many questions, asks “who?” And “why?”

Activities to encourage your child’s language

Help your child sort objects and things (ex. things you eat, animals. . ), Teach your child how to use the telephone, Let your child help you plan activities such as what you will make for Thanksgiving dinner, Continue talking with him about his interests, Read longer stories to him Let her tell and make up stories for you, Show your pleasure when she comes to talk with you.

Age 5-6

Milestones

Has a sentence length of 5-6 words, Has a vocabulary of around 2000 words, Defines objects by their use (you eat with a fork) and can tell what objects are made of, Knows spatial relations like “on top”, “behind”, “far” and “near”, Knows her address, Identifies a penny, nickel and dime, Knows common opposites like “big/little”, Understands “same” and “different”, Counts ten objects, Asks questions for information, Distinguished left and right hand in herself, Uses all types of sentences, e.g. “let’s go to the store after we eat”.

Activities to encourage your child’s language

Praise your child when she talks about her feelings, thoughts, hopes and fears, Comment on what you did or how you think your child feels, Sing songs, rhymes with your child, Continue to read longer stories, Talk with him as you would an adult, Look at family photos and talk to him about your family history, Listen to her when she talks to you.

Advanced Therapy Solutions
690 E Warner Road #105
Gilbert, AZ 85296

Office Phone: 480.820.6366
Office Fax: 480.820.0462

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday
8:00am to 4:00pm