28/02/2023
Welcome to this group with the aim to support parents going through the diagnosis of verbal dyspraxia.
Louie was 2 years old when I just knew deep down something wasn't right, he had zero speech, no attempts at speech, not even forming his mouth to make a sound.
Time and time again I would hear that.....
He is a boy
He is an august baby
He is being lazy
His sister talks for him
But mummy instinct knew it wasnt and i begun the hardest journey on getting diagnosis which took over 2 years to get.
I know and respect that the NHS Salt Teams are pushed to the maximum and struggling to recruit for a growing waiting list as speech disorders are on the rise. However, selfishly I had to fight and fight hard for Louie to even have a shot at a diagnosis and therapy. Until in the end I paid for a private assessment. Yes expensive at £250, but the doors an offical diagnosis opened was worth every penny. This led to me being able to get him an EHCP which gave him the extra funding in school and a LEGAL weekly right to speech therapy.
The battle nevers ends for our children, we have to push to make sure this happens, 23 have to push to make sure his funding is being used appropriately, he have push with regular speech excerises and additional work with the children. Its exhausting and can be deflating but there is hope. Louie is the happiest and most loving little boy,he now says sentences which are becoming more understandable as he is getting older.
Does the worry ever stop. NO. I worry daily about how behind he is at school because standard assessments require clear communication from the child, a child with DVD can may fully understand but because they cant communciate they are on the back foot.
I wanted to create this page to raise awareness for the condition as well support other parents who are struggling as having a child with additional needs is hard but the progress they make is worth it. The resilience these children show is admirable. They deserve to be heard and recognised for the amazing superstars they are and for the journey they face to be able to communciate with the world.
They have a voice, they have a bright future, the diagnosis of verbal dyspraxia will not define them and as parents we are their voice for now.
Welcome to the group 💙
