Children with apraxia often struggle to put sounds and words in proper sequence, retrieve words from their memories and track words visually across printed pages. This inconsistency sets it apart from other articulation disorders. As they acquire speech, they have trouble knowing where to put the stress on syllables. Elizabeth also has dysarthria, a weakness of the muscles used for speech. Ryan was born with a cleft palate, which physicians initially blamed for his developmental delays.
Apraxia has no surgical or pharmaceutical treatments.
Only years of regular therapy can combat the condition. They are in it for the long haul, and time needs to be dedicated to therapy. Ryan started therapy at age 3. He meets two hours a week with private speech therapist Susanne Porter and is scheduled to receive 90 minutes a week in school. In therapy, children repeatedly practice making the sounds they need for speech.