Apraxia

Definition

Apraxia, in the context of motherhood, usually refers to a motor disorder in childhood caused by damage to the brain. Children with apraxia struggle to perform movements, such as speaking or tying shoe laces, despite having the desire and physical ability to carry out the tasks. This condition often affects expressive language and oral motor speech skills.

Key Takeaways

1. The term “apraxia” refers to a motor disorder sparked by damage to the brain, causing a person, including your child, to struggle with performing tasks or movements when asked, in spite of having the desire and the physical ability to perform the activities.
2. Apraxia can impact various motor skills and activities, in toddlers or children, it can specifically manifest as speech apraxia or Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). This condition can hinder a child’s ability to form words and phrases correctly and consistently due to the brain’s problem in planning to move the body parts required for speech.
3. While apraxia can seem challenging, there are therapies available to treat the condition, especially in the context of speech development in children. Speech therapy, for example, can help improve a child’s motor speech coordination, thereby helping them communicate better.

Importance

Apraxia is an important term in motherhood as it refers to a neurological disorder that affects a child’s ability to perform learnt movements, despite having the physical ability and desire to do so.

This can influence a child’s developmental milestones pertaining to speech and motor skills, such as crawling, walking, or talking.

For mothers, understanding the meaning and implications of apraxia is essential as it allows them to recognize any early signs of this condition in their child.

This, coupled with proper medical intervention, can help manage the potential impacts of apraxia on a child’s life, ensuring optimal support for the child’s development and growth.

Hence, knowledge about apraxia is a crucial aspect of motherhood in ensuring a child’s overall wellbeing.

Explanation

Apraxia is a commonly used term in the world of developmental pediatrics and child neurology, typically associated with motherhood or parenthood as it relates to a child’s development. Often noticed as a child starts reaching various developmental milestones, apraxia is typically a motor disorder caused by damage to the brain, specifically, parts that control muscle movement.

The major purpose of understanding and identifying apraxia in early childhood is to ensure that the child receives the necessary supportive interventions as early as possible. It helps parents identify reasons for their child’s difficulties in performing movements that are purposeful or goal-directed, despite having the desire and physical ability to perform the tasks.

Recognition of apraxia enables parents and caregivers to understand that their child’s struggles with certain actions, like walking, speaking, or using tools, are not due to defiance or lack of familiarity, but are linked to their brain’s ability to plan and execute these tasks. Thus, with the term apraxia, caregivers are better informed and equipped to approach the issue intelligently and seek appropriate therapy.

For instance, speech or physical therapists can deploy techniques designed specifically for children with apraxia, employing frequent repetition and positive reinforcement to aid in the child’s progress. Through knowledge and awareness of apraxia, parents can better guide their child’s development, offer understanding and support, and ensure a more effective approach to their child’s unique learning journey.

Examples of Apraxia

“Apraxia” is actually a neurological disorder characterized by loss of the ability to perform learned (familiar) movements, despite having the desire and the physical ability to perform. It is not specific to motherhood. However, I can provide three scenarios of how this condition might affect daily real world tasks:

A mother with apraxia might want to prepare a meal for her child but find it difficult or impossible to execute the movements required to chop vegetables, stir a pot, or even assemble a sandwich despite knowing how to do these tasks.

She may want to dress her child for school but struggle with the movements of buttoning a shirt or tying shoelaces, tasks that she’s done many times before.

Everyday tasks like brushing teeth or using a smartphone could also become difficult. Even though she knows how and wants to perform these actions, the mother might struggle or be unable to make the precise movements required. Please note, these examples are quite severe. Depending on the type and severity of apraxia, the effects can vary widely among individuals. In any case, it’s recommended to seek medical help for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

FAQs on Apraxia in Motherhood

What is Apraxia?

Apraxia is a motor disorder caused by damage to the brain (specifically the posterior parietal cortex), in which the individual has difficulty with the motor planning to perform tasks or movements when asked, provided that the request or command is understood and the individual is willing to perform the task.

How does Apraxia affect a child’s development?

Children with apraxia have problems planning and producing the precise, highly refined and specific series of movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, and palate that are necessary for intelligible speech. This may significantly affect their language development and communication skills.

What are the symptoms of Apraxia in kids?

Some common symptoms include difficulty stringing syllables together in the appropriate order to make words, little babbling, or unusual babbling, and limited vocabulary or expressive language.

Can Apraxia be cured?

While there’s no cure for apraxia, with appropriate speech therapy, children with apraxia can improve significantly. A speech-language pathologist can provide these services, which often need to be intensive and long-term.

How can a mother help a child with Apraxia?

Mothers can support their child by learning more about the condition, offering lots of encouragement, reading and talking to the child often, and following the advice of the child’s speech therapist. It’s also crucial not to bombard a child with provocations to speak, but rather to encourage natural conversation as this can help their progress.

Related Motherhood Terms

• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Motor Planning

Sources for More Information

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: The organization provides articles, resources, and professional support around different speech disorders, including Apraxia.
• Mayo Clinic: Renowned for its extensive information on a wide range of health topics, Mayo clinic provides deep insights on Apraxia.
• WebMD: A trusted source of healthcare information online, WebMD has comprehensive information on Apraxia.
• Understood: This organization is dedicated to helping individuals with learning and thinking differences, offering valuable resources on Apraxia.