As someone who is known for being reserved, we joked when Parker wasn't speaking at first. He was taking after his dad.
When he still wasn't talking at 2, we were concerned. He started seeing a speech teacher, but he wasn't making much progress.
By 3, we were out of ideas, and we couldn't understand why Parker wasn't talking. We had an evaluation for autism but the doctor said they thought it was just a speech delay. Parker started preschool at The Arc shortly after turning 3.
We had to explain to people that he can understand everything just fine, he has no problems hearing, but he can't say any words. He had a series of sounds that he'd make and he could sign some words. He had a word book and a sign with pictures, and he could point to things he wanted, but it was usually a challenge to know what he wanted or what was wrong.
In December, his speech teacher suggested that Parker might have Apraxia. I had to Google what that meant. Everything I read sounded like what Parker was dealing with. In February, he was officially diagnosed.
When Parker started at The Arc, he wasn't speaking at all. By the time he was diagnosed, he was speaking a few words. Since his diagnosis, with an learning plan more in line with Apraxia, he's made amazing progress. In just a year and a half, he's gone from barely speaking to using full sentences and having conversations. It's amazing to us how far he's come.
Of course he still has a long journey ahead of him, but Parker is always up for the challenge. We're so proud of everything he's accomplished, and so grateful for everyone who has helped Parker and supported us through the years.
I'm walking to support other parents and kids who go through the same thing we did. I also want to raise awareness of Apraxia, in hopes that families with non-verbal children might know this is a possibility and intervene appropriately as soon as possible.
