Speech Update - Kirch Appointment

Before I even get started - 

here is a picture of Jaxen before heading out this morning…

undies on head / a character neck pillow / mic in one hand / spatula in the other hand…

and notice he is wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt! It was unseasonably warm today - 60 - crazy!

You pick your battles, right?! Ha ha. 

My focus was on getting out the door in time - I did not care what was on his head, or in his hands!

**********

Summary of Jaxen’s appointment in the Division of Neurodevelopment and Behavioral Pediatrics of Kirch Developmental Services Center:

Height: 3’ 4”
Weight: 35 lbs

Diagnosis: Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

It is a motor speech disorder characterized by difficulty with motor planning for speech production. He has difficulty saying sounds and words because his brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the movements of the lips, tongue, jaw and other facial muscles. He knows what he wants to say, but struggles to say it due to difficulty with planning and coordinating the oral motor movements.

We will continue with the course of speech therapy that he is currently partaking in, and we are very pleased with his speech therapist. Children diagnosed with CAS tend to do better with intensive, frequent and individualized therapy that focuses on planning, sequencing and coordinating the production of speech. Jaxen could potentially need these services anywhere through 2nd-4th grade.

The doctor also noted that Jaxen has hyperkinesis, which is hyperactivity and the inability to concentrate. Most of the time this is a pre-cursor to ADHD - although she is not diagnosing him with that yet. Many times, children with CAS have shorter attention spans and some sensory activity (OT) could be beneficial prior to his speech therapy.

It has been mentioned before that Jaxen could have a form of Autism - that was tested as well today, and there are no signs that point to that diagnosis.

In all other developmental areas - Jaxen is in the normal range (or exceeds it). There are no other concerns.

Overall, this appointment was great. It gave Nik and I a better understanding of what is going on with Jaxen and his speech problems. Before this appointment we were really praying for a very clear diagnosis and understanding of how to help him (or a very clear “he has no developmental issues”). So we thank the Lord for answered prayers!

No further followup is needed with this center.