|
|
Zachary is 7 years old. He has verbal speech apraxia (diagnosed at 2 1/2 years old) and sensory integration dysfunction. Zachary is receiving speech therapy (two ½ hour sessions per week) and occupational therapy (one ½ hour session a month). To help Zachary with the stress he experiences in the school setting, we opted to home school him. He wants to have friends, but young children are so unpredictable in their behavior that it makes it difficult for children with sensory integration dysfunction to prepare themselves for the unexpected touches, sounds and smells.
Occupational therapy helped by addressing his sensory integration dysfunction and teaching self-regulation techniques. (I have written a research paper on this topic entitled "Sensory Integration Dysfunction: The Misunderstood, Misdiagnosed and Unseen Disability"). I have also written a paper about some of the things Zachary has experienced in his short life entitled, "Dignity and Respect." This paper includes an analogy that helps to explain Apraxia. He has improved tremendously with his intelligibility when using his spontaneous language. Expressing long sentences can still be difficult at times. The more he tries to say in a sentence the harder it is to understand.
I have developed this page to keep everyone up-to-date on his progress. I will periodically add Zachary's speech to this page so you can hear his progress. We are all so proud of his hard work and would love everyone to hear how well he is doing. Please just double click on the speaker to hear Zachary.
7/21/99
8/26/99
11/13/99
Isn't he doing wonderful!!!!! Like I said, we are so proud of him.
Thank you for your support and prayers regarding Zachary.
