Help for Moms and Dads
Let’s face it. Having children can be stressful, but adding in a child with special needs adds a whole new layer to the stress.
When my daughter with apraxia was three, she did not talk. She pointed and screamed at what she wanted, she also cried a lot. Of course all this was very frustrating for me, but I’m sure her frustration of knowing what she wanted but not being able to communicate it with me was much greater.
For the parent with a child with apraxia in addition to lack of communication you also have many other stresses. Financial concerns are a major source of stress for some. Will insurance pay for therapy? Having to take time off from work for therapy appointments and lost income contribute to stress.
The time it takes going to therapy appointments also takes away from family time and other commitments. At one point in time my daughter was going to speech therapy five times a week, occupational therapy twice a week and physical therapy once a week. I felt like I was running a marathon.
Your fears also need to be dealt with – will my child ever talk? will they lead a normal life? Those nagging questions never seem to go away.
It is very important you take time out to take care of yourself. Take the time to exercise, eat right and get enough sleep. As parents if you don’t take care of yourselves, who will? Find what works for you for stress relief – calling a friend, taking a long walk, a bubble bath, getting lost in a good book, playing sports. Make that your time and schedule it in your calendar along with your child’s schedule.
If you are still struggling with your child’s diagnosis, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Can you find someone to help with driving to therapy visits or homework? If necessary ask your doctor for a referral to a counselor if your fears over your child’s speech are causing too much anxiety.
This essential guide written by a parent of a child with Apraxia shares in the journey of frustration and hopelessness to a full recovery from apraxia. Includes advice on finding the right speech therapist, diet changes, exercises and more. Also includes a bonus eBook, "Building Language through Play" which has advice on having fun with your child while building language skills. This is an ebook, available for instant download to your computer.
Price: $27.00
The same information printed out and spiral bound, shipped via Priority Mail, $7.95 for shipping and handling.
Price: $27.00
[...] help deal with anxiety, if possible seek out a support group in your area. There may not be one just for apraxia, but [...]