| Dyspraxia of speech (DAS) is a disorder which | | | | speech. Further, the majority of children diagnosed with |
| negatively affects the ability of a child to accurately | | | | dyspraxia of all kinds are overwhelmingly males. It is |
| produce sounds, syllables, and words. This condition is | | | | not yet known whether the disorder is genetic or |
| also known as Aphraxia. Children with this disorder | | | | caused by an injury in the womb or at birth. What is |
| have trouble speaking, including finding the proper | | | | known is that the children who have it face a tougher |
| words and making the proper sounds. However, the | | | | road in life than their peers. This does not, however, |
| don't seem to have difficulty with non-speech activities, | | | | mean that the child is mentally retarded or can not lead |
| such as coughing, chewing, laughing, chewing etc. | | | | an independent life. |
| The cause of dyspraxia of speech is not known, but it | | | | As dyspraxia of speech requires extensive speech |
| is believed it is a defect of the motor neurons which | | | | therapy, children will usually get it two to three times a |
| prevents them from sending the proper signals to the | | | | week from the time they start school. The school will |
| brain for correct speaking. This is also believed to be | | | | usually have an in-house speech therapist for this task. |
| what happens in regular dyspraxia, which causes | | | | If your child's school doesn't have a speech therapist, |
| severe problems in motor skills, and used to be | | | | you'll have to find private therapy, and if you can start |
| referred to as Clumsy Child Syndrome. If your child | | | | before your child enters school, that will help your child |
| has this disorder, he will need extensive speech | | | | greatly. Even children as young as two years old can |
| therapy during his school years and maybe beyond. | | | | benefit from this therapy. Further, don't correct or |
| He will also probably always talk at least a little bit | | | | chastise your child at home when he says something |
| more slowly than other people. This can make it | | | | incorrectly, as this will lower his self-esteem and |
| difficult to have a conversation with him, and is | | | | increase his sense of shame. Instead, say nothing |
| frustrating for the child, because he does understand | | | | when he speaks incorrectly, and praise him when he |
| speech, even if he can't make the right words come | | | | does speak as he should. This will help him want to do |
| out. | | | | better, and will increase his chances of having better |
| Doctors say that about 10% of people have dyspraxia, | | | | speech as an adult. |
| but only 2% of them have it restricted only to their | | | | |