May 19, 2012

Verbal Dyspraxia

A majority of parents may not even be aware their child has verbal Dysphasia, and so fail to get help for that child. This disorder is a sub-type of the typical dysphasia disorder that affects millions of children. This condition is associated with the inability to generate proper vocabulary while speaking. It is believed to be caused by jumbled messages that are sent to and received by brain.

Verbal dysphraxia is also identified as developmental dysphraxia or impairment of verbal communication. The disorder does not manifest in any vocal muscle or and is not a cognitive disorder. This form of dysphraxia makes it difficult for a child to speak when he or she is under pressure. However, their ability to communicate seems to be consistent when it is automatic. Children with this disorder need to think before speaking to be sure they say the right things and don’t repeat words.

Some of the symptoms seen in children with this disorder are given below. These symptoms might be overlooked by the parents, since they do not appear to be unusual at first. Observing these symptoms is vital for an early diagnosis and better opportunities for treatment.

1. Difficulty while communicating -– Some kids find it difficult to bring out the right words while having a conversation with others.

2. Absence of babbling as babies-– This can be a symptom of the disorder. If babies do not make some strange sounds, it may turn out to be verbal dysphraxia.

3. Difficulty being understood – Others may find it difficult to understand and comprehend what the child is saying.

4. Taking breaks while speaking – When a child halts a lot when speaking, it can be a symptom of the disorder.

5. Speaking slowly – Some children with this condition speak very slowly, so it is difficult to carry on a conversation with them. Since these children can comprehend what others are saying, this can be very frustrating for them. That’s why getting treatment for them as soon as you suspect a problem is so important to their emotional and physical well being.

Dyspraxia In Children

Dyspraxia in children is more common than you might think. In fact, there are millions of kids all over the world who suffer from it. Some doctors estimate that as much as ten percent of the population may have it. It is defined as the impairments of the organization of movements. In some children, there may also be a problem with languages, perceptions and thoughts. The terms usually used to describe this condition is Developmental Dysphraxia and Developmentally Co-ordinations Disorders.

Even though dysphraxia might be diagnosed at any time in a person’s life, the diagnosis of dyspraxia in children is most likely. In fact, an increasing number of kids are being diagnosed with this condition. A child’s whose dyspraxia is recognized at an early stage in life have a greater chance of acceptance at school and less of a chance of problems with learning and motor skills as they get older. This will help their self-esteem.

When a child becomes a teenager, their problem may change as language, movement, and organizational abilities become more vital. Additional occupational therapy may be needed to help the child keep up with his peers and to eventually live independently as an adult. The Dyspraxia Foundations can help with these issues and will support you and your child through its services and publications. The foundation can also direct you to local resources for help that you might not otherwise have known about.

Symptoms of dyspraxia in children are usually apparent even in infanthood, though they may be mis-diagnosed. Babies are often bad-tempered from birth and may exhibit significant feeding problems. They are slow to reach their projected developmental milestones. For example, by the age of eights month, a dysphraxic baby may still not be able to sit down without help. Lots of children with dyspraxia fail to go throughout the crawling stage, preferring to drag their feet long before attempting to walk. They generally avoid task which require goods physical control, as well.

If dyspraxia is not recognized, problems can persist and affect the childish life at school. Emotional disturbances and lack of self-esteem can result. In addition, children with dysphraxia may display several of the following types of behaviors:

a.  An extremely high level ticks, such as hand twisting and foot tapping
b. A high level of excitability, especially with loud or shrill tones
c. They may be prone to temper tantrums
d. They may be extraordinarily clumsy
e. Handwriting may be especially bad and short-term memory may suffer in children with dyspraxia