Living with Speech Apraxia

Jaron, Thank you. Our son was diagnosed today, and my wife is on the verge of tears. I am totally sending her this video. She is so worried that he isn't going to have a normal life. You are proving otherwise. :)

Hey everybody. Thought I would drop a line here and say that I was diagnosed with apraxia of speech as well. At the time of my diagnosis, I was about 18 months old. I didn't start talking or say my first word until 3 1/2. My Mom put me in five sessions of speech therapy per week from 18 months-5 years old. I had moderate apraxia. Today, I'm 20, and if you met me on the street, there is absolutely no way anyone could tell that I had apraxia. The one person I have in my life to thank for overcoming my diagnosis is my Mom. She was my biggest advocate, and never gave up on me. Also, I'm doing well in college, and studying human physiology! Anything is possible, you are your child's biggest advocate in life.

Thanks, my son has Apraxia as well. ALSO he is bilingual. So, its been fun. But he is getting there. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Spanish at this point is easier than English so we are letting him learn what is easier for him.

my little sister has apraxia. when she was younger my parents took her to doctors and none of them could figure out what she had. All the doctors thought she was deaf at first. they even made her wear hearingaids. later one of her teachers figured out that she had apraxia and she began speech therapy. She is 15 years old now. she is still pretty hard for strangers to understand even some family can't understand her but I am the one who is the most close to her so I know what she is saying all of the time. she is my best friend. (:

I have a 5 year old son with your same story, he is very severe. It's nice to see my son metaphorically in the future, stay strong!

My 8 year old with apraxia has been asking me about adults with apraxia. He seems more aware of it than he ever has. I wondered if he knew how he sounded to others. It doesnt seem like he does. Would it be helpful for.me to record him speaking and show him? Hes such a trooper. He doesnt let it hold him back all. He volunteers to pray for everyone. Thank you for sharing your story. Its so helpful!! Im going to show my son your videos so he doesnt feel so alone. Youre amazing. Youve overcome so much and youre so strong. Thank you for paving the way for others and just being so genuine and authentic. God bless you sweetheart!

Jaron, I just came back to this 5 years after responding to this video and saw how many people had responded. This is the video that helped my wife see hope in my son having apraxia. This is the video that got her comfortable with watching other apraxia videos and helped her get my son the help she needed. Thank you.

You're an inspiration! My son has speech Apraxia, is in college and is doing very well. God bless. :-)

OMG, we love you Jaron!  We have a little boy who is 7 right now with CAS, he was only 18mos when we learned it and we, too, have been to "a LOT of doctors."  He has global dyspraxia, so as hard as speech is, so is pointing or walking or anything else.  He works very hard, and we are so proud of how far he has come.  As a mother I am very grateful to you.  I know not every kid with CAS will turn out like you, but seeing even one such amazing person is so moving, even though you have lived it, you can't know what it means to a parent, until you are one.  Thank you for not editing it, too.  I understood every word, love your sense of humor and your honesty.  Thank you <3.

I grew up with the same condition and art really helped me out. Art was a big part of my life to help express myself. I also had melt downs when I was in preschool and elementary because they didn’t understand what I was saying. Thank you sooo much for sharing.

Thank you so much for making and sharing this video. I have a 7 year old son with apraxia. He was diagnosed at 3 and I constantly wonder what he will sound like as an adult or what any adult with apraxia sounds like. You have given me so much hope and comfort in knowing the possibilities. As I write this I am in tears. I can't thank you enough. You are awesome for sharing this. I know it will help many kids and families dealing with apraxia of speech.

I am not a native English speaker and sometimes I don't understand what people say. However, I  believe  your speaking is totally clear and understandable! because I can understand it. good job :)

I have apraxia too. I am 13! Thank you Jaron. 😊

I am 18 and also have verbal apraxia. Like you I started speech therapy early on, but I "graduated" from it in 2nd grade. I moved around a lot in middle school and I have had schools send me to their speech therapist and I have been told that there is nothing else that they can do for me. Recently, I have also almost had to think about what I am saying more because I am having trouble pronouncing everything. There are even some words that I avoid saying at all possible costs.I often feel really insecure when I hear recordings of my voice and have often thought about doing voice therapy to change it. Watching your video helps me feel a little better about myself and not so ashamed, so thank you for sharing your story!

I am a father of twin 4 1/2 year old boys. One of them has Apraxia. He has been in therapy since he was 3. He is a ever happy, every positive kid, but he is starting to realize he is different. Watching this helped me. I thank you for that. But more so it showed me that he has a future much like yourself.

Thank you so much for doing this video. My little sister had Speach apraxia and was diagnosed at 17. For a long time we could always tell she struggled with speech but your video has helped me understand how she feels and how there is hope for her.

As a dad with a son with CAS I appreciate you putting this out there! thanks, bro.

I actually have two children with verbal apraxia. My 10-year-old had come a long way but it's great to see how far you've come to reassure me that things will be fine when she's grown. Hers was diagnosed are 'severe.' I also have a 5-year-old who has it even more severe than she did.

Thank you so much Jaron, I am from Saudi Arabia and my 3 years old was diagnosed Apraxia today. My wife and I were panicked thinking he won’t have a normal and successful life, until we saw this video. Watching this video of you made us feel better. You are great 👍

I can't thank you enough for this video. You have given my family hope.