What is the Difference Between Apraxia and Autism?

Written by Rachel Evans

Original article source http://ezinearticles.com/expert=Rachel_Evans

Apraxia and autism are two entirely different neurological disorders which can occur in a child independently of one another, or together in the same child. While autism's symptoms can impact and impair many different systems, behaviors, and thought patterns, apraxia occurs when the child struggles to plan and carry out voluntary physical movements.

In terms of gross motor skills, apraxia may impact a child's capabilities to stand up, sit in a chair, or catch a ball and with fine motor skills, a child may not be able to zip up a jacket, button a shirt, write or print, or even point at an object.

Children with apraxia may also struggle to produce sound patterns to make words, or even coordinate the various speech mechanisms to make the individual speech sounds such as the difference between a "g" and a "b" sound, or the hum of an "m" sound. Even when a sound is modeled, a child with apraxia may not be able to mimic the same sound.

However, though these symptoms may also cross over into autism, there remain important differences between the two conditions. For example, when a child has only apraxia it is only the motor functioning and not the social and emotional skills that are impacted, as is often not the case with autism.

Apraxia and autism can become difficult to tell from one another when the child is exhibiting symptoms of verbal apraxia (officially known as oral-motor apraxia). The reason for this is that children with either condition can be very aware of their struggle to communicate verbally, and therefore they may choose to avoid having to talk by staying away from social situations. However, in the case of verbal apraxia, if you play with your child and don't demand speech from him or her, you may find that they begin playing actively and engage others in their play.

The child usually experiences relief from being able to socialize and have contact with others without being required to talk, which is frustrating for them and can create a fear of failure. Often, with these children, when they are allowed to select the type of play and are allowed to go without having to speak, the relief and comfort they feel can make them more open to accepting the slow introduction of new sounds and syllables, which may eventually bring about simple words into their favorite games and play. Encouragement to vocalize or verbalize should be gentle in both apraxia and autism, and should be gradual, tailored to the pace of success rather than to a schedule.

In both motor apraxia and autism, children show social interaction problems, but in the case of motor apraxia, this is normally because they are not always capable of performing the physical movements that allows them access to others. However, motor apraxia won't usually make a child want to avoid social interaction altogether, such as failing to make eye contact, or specifically moving away from other people.

It is easy to see why there is so much confusion between apraxia and autism spectrum disorders. Especially considering children with these conditions can also both exhibit signs of over-reactivity to sensations. However, there are differences between the two and it is important to speak to your doctor or a specialist if you are unsure. Your doctor will be able to determine which condition your child may have, or if both are present.

Chit Chat

I have said it before and I will say it again.

Right.
Here.

If we had not found Nancy Kaufman and Kaufman Children's Center, Luke would have not been diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech until 3 years old (or later) even though CAS was suspected by an SLP during an evaluation by Babies Can't Wait (Georgia's Early Intervention) when Luke was 18 months old.

ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association) suggests that SLPs wait until after the age of 3 to diagnose CAS, so most SLPs won't.

But Nancy Kaufman isn't most SLPs.

She. Is. The. Best.
THE Childhood Apraxia of Speech Queen.
I even made her a plate that says it.

Although she was a
little hesitant to display it, concerned that parents would think she was self proclaiming it....I am proud that it is still in her office. Almost 2 and a half years after we presented it to her ;)

This week marked a year since we had been to the KCC for intensive therapy.

On Monday, April 28, 2013 Luke opened the doors of the KCC (for what would be our 6th trip since 2010) and even though he had just gotten out of his mouth that he was going to tell Nancy thank you.......in true Luke fashion, he announced "I don't need to see Nancy Kaufman. I can talk now."

I wasn't sure how Nancy would take his news, but she didn't miss a beat.

She agreed that he didn't need her anymore and she was beaming with a real maternal pride. Tears filled her eyes and mine as we watched Luke, the now 4 and a half year old, chattering away.

After catching up, talking about our therapy schedule and the week's goals....Nancy went to work her magic on more children.

Overcomer

I read this and was fine with it until I got to the last sentence. 

It stung.

My face turned red.

My body hot.

Tears swelled in my eyes.

I think even though my mind knows there isn't a cure, my heart wants a cure. 

I want someone to say it's done. 

Not just residual.

Gone. 

Finished. 

Over.

Apraxia can not be cured; only overcome.

I had to sit and let those words sink in.

I am a firm believer that while Childhood Apraxia of Speech may not be cureable; my child was and is still being healed. 

Luke can speak. 

He can tell us his wants.

His needs.

His thoughts.

His dreams.

His opinions. (And boy, does Luke have some strong opinions....wonder where he gets that from?!?)

He is rarely quiet.

It is everything I had wished, hoped and prayed for. 

And while I am pained by the words incureable. 

I hold on to the truth that I know. 

He is an overcomer. 

He has already overcome so much. 

There is more to come. 

And I will be cheering him on the whole way, louder than anyone else.

Join us in celebrating Luke's voice and all of the other precious children who have been diagnosed with this rare speech disorder known as Childhood Apraxia of Speech. 

May 14th is the 2nd National Apraxia Awareness Day. 

We ask that you wear blue and white to honor our little hero and all of the others working on their "roar".

http://fgr.am/f/A4GdsUmryU

Use the hashtags #apraxiaawareness and #wearblueforluke when posting pics or posts on social media ;) 

CHAMP Camp Parent Guide

That bio.

http://maggieandluke.blogspot.com/2014/04/writer-block.html?m=1

Well it's in the new George Washington University CHAMP Camp Parent Guide. 

Can't wait to share what we have learned on our apraxia journey with others!

See :) 

Grateful to play a little part in giving back to a camp that has been our home for 2 summers.

Gearing up for Apraxia Awareness Day

May 14th is officially Apraxia Awareness Day nationally and in our state of Georgia.

Huge SHOUTOUT to Rep. Amy Alexander Carter for making this resolution happen again this year!

JOIN our family....

in celebrating Luke 

and all of the other precious children finding their voices. 

We are encouraging YOU to wear blue and white on May 14th.

That's Wednesday.

I already have my shirt ;)

The donations raised by it will help to fund our SLPs journey to CASANA's apraxia boot camp.

I vowed to be Luke's voice until he found his; and thankfully with God's grace, direction, provision and healing touch...we are there. 

Luke can speak. He is understood by others. And I must tell you....it is completely a dream come true. 

Little tokens of appreciation to our awesome SLPs

A pic from last year's 1st Apraxia Awareness Day

What are YOU planning to do to show your support? 

We made some ribbons, fliers, brochures and are working on a tri-board.

You've come a long way baby and while we support you all year long; we will especially be celebrating your hard work and success on May 14th.

All. 

Day. 

Long.

Writer's Block

The thing about this blog is. 

I write what I want and when I want to. 

I don't have deadlines. 

There is no set schedule. 

Pretty much, I just get the urge to write and I do.

It's just me and I make my own rules. 

So when I had to write a bio for myself this week and I had to finish it in a week...

The pressure was on. 

I avoided it. Like the plague.

I whined about it on Facebook.

I even tried to get out of it. 

But, I can't avoid something just because it's hard. 

I mean...I bust out bios for Maggie and Luke all the time. 

But for me. 

Crickets. 

Focus, Mary. Focus.

We can do hard things.

I needed a bio if I was going to present at George Washington University's CHAMP camp this summer.

We spent 2 great summers in their intensive Childhood Apraxia and Motor Planning Camp; but this summer will be different. 

We will no longer be "campers" and I won't be a "parent facilitator" during parent education this year. 

I am going to be a presenter. 

Sharing with other parents about grant and funding opportunities.

And that bio. 

I knocked it out quickly when I kept my eye on the prize. 

Said bio below.

Can't wait to talk about what we have learned along this journey. 

It Happened. Be Careful What You Wish For.

Guess who went to "time out" for talking too much today? 

You guessed it. 

That cutie patootie up there. 

The one and only.

I shouldn't have giggled.

I shouldn't have smirked. 

But by golly, I wished for this day. 

Even had it written about in our local paper. (VDT Feb. 2011)

And the moral of this story is....dreams do come true. 

Dream big friends.

Dream. 

B....I....G......

BIG!!!!

Intensive Therapy at the KCC

I joked that we came to "show off" this week at Kaufman Children's Center, but in all seriousness we were anxious to see what they thought about his progress. Everyone can't get over how tall Luke has gotten and how talkative he has been in the gym ;)

It's not the same little boy. We came to Michigan when he was 2 and had a handful of words. We left with more words than we had ever imagined; as well as hope and a plan.

Nancy Kaufman has assembled a "dream team" of therapists under one roof. While she sees 2 "out of states" per week for 4 day intensive speech and language therapy utilizing her own KSLP methods; her staff treats and assesses many children from the surrounding areas. Their knowledge and expertise cannot be matched. Trust me on this.

http://kidspeech.com/our-staff/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98&Itemid=470

I have referred to our last two trips as "tune ups"....and that is exactly what they are. We no longer see Nancy for intensives. She unlocked Luke's voice from the tight grasp of Childhood Apraxia of Speech and passed the baton (so to speak) to her colleague, Diane Nancarrow, once Luke's apraxia was considered residual.

http://kidspeech.com/our-staff/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=511&Itemid=552

We come back to the KCC to make sure we are doing everything we can to habilitate Luke's speech and motor movement. With the KCC's help, we are able to evaluate what is working, seek advice and gain ideas as to what our next steps should be. 

I would title this....Ain't No Mountain High Enough! And truly, there is no mountain that this precious boy hasn't faced.  

From severe apraxia to residual. I couldn't be prouder of his tenacity, determination and work ethic.

Greeting Mrs. Diane with the biggest hug!

Mrs. Lisa Barnett provided music therapy this week.  http://kidspeech.com/our-staff/lisa-barnett-mt-bc.html  (We totally lucked up because she was on spring break and could squeeze us into her schedule.) The last time Luke worked with Mrs. Lisa was during SPEAK 2011. We knew then that music was a powerful tool to enhance his speech development and he loved it.

Mrs. Lisa made this special book with all of the songs they would be working on during the week for him and even personalized it. Luke was so excited when he saw his picture on the cover and throughout the book. 

Retelling and sequencing a story 

http://instagram.com/p/mnQpSHsoLP/

Making pizzas with Mrs. Diane in speech and language therapy

Utilizing the ipad with an app that required him to follow explicit directions and then repeat and record him saying those directions 

http://instagram.com/p/miN1O9MoPx/

Toasting at one of our favorite places to eat in West Bloomfield, Stage Deli.

It's not a celebration until we take selfies and use the fierce sign, right?!? 

Someone asked what our schedule looked like when we are doing intensive therapy; so I decided to share our schedule this week.

Keep in mind that this schedule doesn't include music therapy. We added a 30 minute session on Monday and 45 minute sessions on Wednesday and Friday. 

http://instagram.com/p/mlMz9EsoG8/

http://instagram.com/p/mlMcX0MoGR/

http://instagram.com/p/mlIZBGMoA7/

Mrs. Lisa allowed Maggie to participate in music therapy, too. They especially liked playing the lollipop drums and rhythm sticks.

http://instagram.com/p/mlL8B6MoFf/

Intensives with Nancy are all videotaped so that when you leave; you have a DVD to share with your SLPs back home. All the therapy rooms at the KCC have a behind the glass where parents can observe. For me, the videotaping and behind the glass observations have been powerful. It's one thing to tell someone what you experienced; but to be able to show them....unparalleled.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Two very sleepy kiddos.

One very blessed and thankful family.