| Description |
Being able to effectively communicate is how young children interact, socialize, and learn. There is cause for concern when a young child has strong cognitive and receptive language skills, but is essentially non-verbal. It is important for therapists to be able to differentially diagnose an expressive language delay from suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Therapy for a toddler with suspected CAS should have a set of unique parameters that will facilitate the development of motor planning skills. Because children with suspected CAS often progress slowly and demonstrate highly inconsistent verbal productions, it can be difficult to measure progress and documentation can be a challenge. Caregiver involvement is a critical component of early intervention services and each family needs to be provided with functional strategies that can be embedded into their daily routines to help their child become an effective verbal communicator.
Apraxia is a neurological disorder than can affect the whole body. Dyspraxia or limb apraxia often coincides with the verbal apraxia (Childhood Apraxia of Speech) in young children. In this seminar we examine how the limb apraxia impacts assessment and therapy. Also, PTs and OTs have to interact with young children who are struggling learning to talk, so they need the strategies just as much as SLPs need them. In early intervention we focus on function and treat the whole child. This seminar is necessary and appropriate for all therapists who work with young children.
|