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GunnarsMommy

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Hi,
I am new to signing due to a recent diagnosis of apraxia in my toddler. I actually have a couple of questions I would lover some guidance on. Apraxia affects both speech and in some cases, like Gunnar's, fine motor skills. This has made some signs very difficult to teach. Has anyone had issues with fine motor themselves or with a child? If so, how did you learn or teach to overcome the issue? He is making up signs faster than we can teach them and the mixture of ASL signs and his made up ones make it difficult for him to communicate with his teacher, who is trying to learn sign just to help him, and even his speech therapist. LOL, I have to be honest, sometimes his daddy and I have a hard time figuring out what his made up signs mean. Should we let him continue using the made up signs or push for him to learn standardized signs. His therapist is just happy with any attempts to communicate, but I worry that if he has a laundry list of made up signs that no one knows how is that supposed to prevent the frustration of not being able to communicate?

My second question is if someone can help me find a simple name sign that he can do even with his fine motor difficulties, that will not conflict with another sign. I don't know anyone in the deaf community to ask for help. I don't want to use a simple sign at home and his use it in public and offend anyone, but I want my child to have a name he can communicate even if I have to translate it for him. He is big for his age and the therapists said after his evaluations that he is quite intelligent. I've noticed just this last couple of weeks when we are out and people ask him his name or how old he is that he is shutting down. This is so frustrating. He was just starting to come out of his shell when he began having successes in learning his signs and to see him acting so withdrawn again really breaks my heart. We have been teaching him how hold up his finger to show how old he is, hoping if he can answer the questions he will feel better.

He is so beautiful, sweet, mischievous, though more than a little stubborn! he loves animals (though, he's not mastered gentle touch so they don't always love him back), he likes to dance, climb and run everywhere. he's super adventurous, and frankly it scares the heck out of me. I just want to help him be proud of who he is and how he is. I would appreciate any help you are willing to give. I know that name signs are usually based on personality traits or physical characteristics so I also attached a couple of pictures.
Thanks,
Aimee
 

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Hi Aimee....does he just have apraxia? I know it's fairly rare to have apraxia and nothing else......there is a deaf school that offers an apraxia program..Sign N' Say
It's also not too unusual for deaf schools/programs to serve kids with apraxia...it's not wicked common but it's also not unheard of........
 
Hi Aimee, I'm newer and all to the site, but read your post and, well I'm here. :D

Typically with name signs, they're the first letter of the persons name swooped, gestured or motioned in some fashion. If your name being Aimee, your name sign would "typically" be an A, shaken back and forth, up and down or whatever. * hope you get the point * As long as it doesn't make a sign for something else, as you don't want to confuse someone who signs. When introducing yourself, you'd say "Me Aimee or My name Aimee" and spell out your name and then introduce your name sign. :) I'm sure there are people that have name signs that aren't the first letter, but as for all the people I know that use ASL... it's typically the motion of the first letter as mine. :) Hope it helped!
 
Online is the best bet of help here. I don't think Oklahoma has as many resources available for those who are learning ASL as many other states. I don't know how it's in your area. Did you check Facebook? I'm sure there is an Oklahoma deaf group. Maybe even state bordering Oklahoma depending on where you are. The best luck.
 
deafdyke said:
Hi Aimee....does he just have apraxia? I know it's fairly rare to have apraxia and nothing else......there is a deaf school that offers an apraxia program..Sign N' Say
It's also not too unusual for deaf schools/programs to serve kids with apraxia...it's not wicked common but it's also not unheard of........
Click to expand...

So far his only diagnoses are the probable apraxia and delayed fine motor. They won't lock in the apraxia diagnosis until he is closer to 3 unless an official diagnosis will help him get more resources. Because he appears to be quite intelligent and can't speak (he has no clear words that he can say more than once) his pediatrician was concerned that he could have high functioning asberger's but they ruled that out with his evaluations. He plays pretend and has strong steady eye contact which are apparently not usually present in an autistic child. Sadly, if he had a second diagnosis we would have a lot more resources available to us. Apraxia isn't super common, I guess, and apraxia as a stand alone diagnosis is very uncommon. He didn't qualify for the birth to three year old program because his only deficit is in spoken word. His receptive language was very advanced, his play scores were advanced by years and his gross motor was advanced. They require a 50% delay in a single area or a 25% delay in two areas and they score overall communication not just verbal. His high scores in receptive and his signs made his communication look normal on their eval.

The only deaf program I could find is the Oklahoma deaf school which is hours away and is a residential program. I'm just not comfortable with sending my toddler away 5 days a week, they have a satellite program a little closer and if it is a daily drop off situation, I may see if he will qualify. I'm feeling very frustrated. If we made 200 dollars less a month or if he had a second diagnosis we could have more help, instead I feeling like I am banging my head on the wall. I've been doing a lot of research on apraxia and have found that many children with apraxia never use verbal skills as a primary form of communication, so we are trying to learn ASL as quickly as possible to help him have a means of communication. I figure even if he does learn to speak ASL will help him develop language and reading skills.

Wow, sorry I was so wordy...again. Lol. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. My husband and I are feeling pretty alone in this journey. Though I found a local apraxia support group, so hopefully that will help.
 
Mewtilation said:
Hi Aimee, I'm newer and all to the site, but read your post and, well I'm here. :D

Typically with name signs, they're the first letter of the persons name swooped, gestured or motioned in some fashion. If your name being Aimee, your name sign would "typically" be an A, shaken back and forth, up and down or whatever. * hope you get the point * As long as it doesn't make a sign for something else, as you don't want to confuse someone who signs. When introducing yourself, you'd say "Me Aimee or My name Aimee" and spell out your name and then introduce your name sign. :) I'm sure there are people that have name signs that aren't the first letter, but as for all the people I know that use ASL... it's typically the motion of the first letter as mine. :) Hope it helped!
Click to expand...

I was worried about shaking his letter since that is the sign for green (his name is Gunnar). I've seen some name signs where the person looks as though they are running their letter down their cheek. Is that correct? Would running a "G" down his cheek conflict with any other signs?

Thank you for your help. :)
 
dereksbicycles said:
Online is the best bet of help here. I don't think Oklahoma has as many resources available for those who are learning ASL as many other states. I don't know how it's in your area. Did you check Facebook? I'm sure there is an Oklahoma deaf group. Maybe even state bordering Oklahoma depending on where you are. The best luck.
Click to expand...

I certainly haven't found a lot of learning resources here in Oklahoma. I've bought books and videos and luckily we have watched baby signing time his whole life and used a few basic signs so we aren't introducing a completely unfamiliar concept to him. I did not think to look for a local deaf group on face book. Between arguing with SoonerStart, Medicaid and our insurance company, researching apraxia, trying to really learn ASL, running Gunnar to therapy and school,working on his therapy and just starting my masters program, I feel like I am kinda losing my mind...not that most people would notice a difference. ;) if you see a news story from Oklahoma about a crazy lady found wandering the streets naked, muttering to herself, it's likely me!

Thank for the reply. I truly appreciate any guidance I can get. I just want to help my son anyway I can.
 
There's someone who has a daughter with apraxia. She's deaf as well! She's about 7 and is at mainstream school. Let me find the blog and get back to you.
 
I got good news today, our local birth to three year program agreed to re-evaluate Gunnar taking into account his SLPs findings and I found a local free ASL class I am waiting for a call back on. I like progress...progress is good.
 
GunnarsMommy said:
I was worried about shaking his letter since that is the sign for green (his name is Gunnar). I've seen some name signs where the person looks as though they are running their letter down their cheek. Is that correct? Would running a "G" down his cheek conflict with any other signs?

Thank you for your help. :)
Click to expand...
That sounds like GRAY (SC version--like a gray sideburn). He's too young for that. :giggle:

Also, that's the female sign "zone."

It's best to get one assigned by a member of the Deaf community but I realize that might not be possible.

What about G-POWER? That's a strong male one.

ASL sign for power | sign language dictionary
 
Reba said:
That sounds like GRAY (SC version--like a gray sideburn). He's too young for that. :giggle:

Also, that's the female sign "zone."

It's best to get one assigned by a member of the Deaf community but I realize that might not be possible.

What about G-POWER? That's a strong male one.

ASL sign for power | sign language dictionary
Click to expand...

Oh! I like that one. Gunnar means warrior, so power is a good fit. So do I just do the hand movement like I'm outlining a big muscle while making G-hand? That would be good with his fine motor issues as well.

Thank you for the help!
 
GunnarsMommy said:
So far his only diagnoses are the probable apraxia and delayed fine motor. They won't lock in the apraxia diagnosis until he is closer to 3 unless an official diagnosis will help him get more resources. Because he appears to be quite intelligent and can't speak (he has no clear words that he can say more than once) his pediatrician was concerned that he could have high functioning asberger's but they ruled that out with his evaluations. He plays pretend and has strong steady eye contact which are apparently not usually present in an autistic child. Sadly, if he had a second diagnosis we would have a lot more resources available to us. Apraxia isn't super common, I guess, and apraxia as a stand alone diagnosis is very uncommon. He didn't qualify for the birth to three year old program because his only deficit is in spoken word. His receptive language was very advanced, his play scores were advanced by years and his gross motor was advanced. They require a 50% delay in a single area or a 25% delay in two areas and they score overall communication not just verbal. His high scores in receptive and his signs made his communication look normal on their eval.

The only deaf program I could find is the Oklahoma deaf school which is hours away and is a residential program. I'm just not comfortable with sending my toddler away 5 days a week, they have a satellite program a little closer and if it is a daily drop off situation, I may see if he will qualify. I'm feeling very frustrated. If we made 200 dollars less a month or if he had a second diagnosis we could have more help, instead I feeling like I am banging my head on the wall. I've been doing a lot of research on apraxia and have found that many children with apraxia never use verbal skills as a primary form of communication, so we are trying to learn ASL as quickly as possible to help him have a means of communication. I figure even if he does learn to speak ASL will help him develop language and reading skills.

Wow, sorry I was so wordy...again. Lol. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. My husband and I are feeling pretty alone in this journey. Though I found a local apraxia support group, so hopefully that will help.
Click to expand...

Wow...........so he's high funcitioning? That is AWESOME........And yes....I wouldn't want to send my toddler away 5 days a week.( unless there's extraordinary circumstances, I think that kids need to wait until at least 8 years old until dorming it.I think it's fairly rare for little kids to dorm it nowadays which is good!)....Are you near Tulsa by any chance? They have a signing preschool... you might want to look into United Cerebal Palsy ....they do have some apraxic kids who use Sign........
 
GunnarsMommy said:
Oh! I like that one. Gunnar means warrior, so power is a good fit. So do I just do the hand movement like I'm outlining a big muscle while making G-hand? That would be good with his fine motor issues as well.

Thank you for the help!
Click to expand...

Yes, just like that with the letter G. I'm unaware of a sign that would look like that. That definitely was an excellent suggestion! :ty:
 
deafdyke said:
Wow...........so he's high funcitioning? That is AWESOME........And yes....I wouldn't want to send my toddler away 5 days a week.( unless there's extraordinary circumstances, I think that kids need to wait until at least 8 years old until dorming it.I think it's fairly rare for little kids to dorm it nowadays which is good!)....Are you near Tulsa by any chance? They have a signing preschool... you might want to look into United Cerebal Palsy ....they do have some apraxic kids who use Sign........
Click to expand...

Happy Hands Education Center! That is awesome. I wonder why it didn't come up when I googled local deaf schools? Thank you!

Yes, he is very high functioning. In fact, the only thing he can't do is speak. He says Ma, Da, Do (dog without the G on the end), Ba (which he uses for bad and bath) and hi and bye (sounds more like hai and bu). He has other sounds he uses for words, but the pronunciation frequently changes. Even the fine motor issues are pretty mild, just enough to make some signs difficult. It appears at this point apraxia is his only issue. With the combination of sounds, gestures, signs and facial expressions he actually communicates really well. It can be easy to forget he doesn't really speak. :)
 
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