“Twenty-four karat magic in the AAAIIIIRRRR!” The exuberant sound prompted me to glance into the kitchen, where my then 4-year-old son, Leo, stood directly in front of the radio, his little face illuminated with joy as he belted out the chorus with all his might. My sister recounted this heartwarming moment after babysitting him, her amazement evident as she described Leo’s enthusiasm while trying to mimic his favorite artist, Bruno Mars. That was November 2017.
For many parents, hearing their young children sing along to catchy tunes from shows like “Bubble Guppies” or the latest Kidz Bop hits might seem commonplace, often prompting a mix of pride and exasperation. However, for those of us raising a child with apraxia, each sound is a celebration. Every uttered syllable signifies a victory, and each newly mastered word is a monumental achievement.
Leo was born on February 6, 2013, a tiny 5 lbs 4 oz bundle of joy who quickly captured the hearts of everyone around him. My pregnancy was somewhat unexpected; I didn’t find out until I was well into my third trimester. Despite this surprise, Leo thrived and met all his developmental milestones, from rolling over to running around, each day revealing his bright personality and infectious smile.
I was filled with admiration for Leo’s energy and spirit, which is why I wasn’t overly concerned when I became a single mom when he was just 15 months old. I thought nothing of it when he started daycare in August 2014 and caught his first cold, which later led to the diagnosis of asthma. The following months were a blur as I juggled graduate studies, teaching, and the challenges of managing a toddler’s health. It wasn’t until October that I noticed Leo had stopped speaking altogether.
He was already undergoing numerous medical appointments for his asthma when I added hearing screenings in hopes of solving this mystery. Unfortunately, his first cold had caused ear problems, leading to a bilateral tube placement just before his second birthday. I naively thought this would resolve everything, but Leo still struggled to produce the sounds he once could. His toe-walking and lack of speech led us to seek help from a speech therapy program.
That summer, Leo and I began learning sign language as a means of communication. Despite our therapist’s efforts, progress was slow, and I found myself worried as the summer ended and I returned to work, unable to continue his therapy sessions. I sought further assistance from his doctor, which resulted in a referral to the state’s birth-to-3 program. After a comprehensive evaluation, Leo was assigned physical, occupational, and speech therapists.
At 2.5 years old, I was desperate for answers. I explained to our social worker that I needed clarity on what was happening with my son. We were then referred to a renowned developmental center, where we finally received a diagnosis: developmental childhood apraxia of speech.
I was overwhelmed with emotion. “Everyday it will rain,” I lamented, questioning if my pregnancy had caused this delay or if I had done something wrong as a mother. Feeling lost, I turned to my step-sister, who had her own challenges as a single mom to a daughter with severe autism. She advised me to research and devise a plan, which I promptly did.
Through my exploration, I learned that apraxia affects the brain’s ability to coordinate movements, resulting in a disconnect between intention and execution. With early intervention and therapy, the brain can relearn these connections. For Leo, this meant engaging in extensive speech therapy. With my background in education and support from my aunt, a special education teacher, I was able to find the resources Leo needed. He began private speech therapy in the spring of 2016, and I will never forget the moment he called me “Mommy” for the first time at three and a half. The tears flowed again recently when I heard him sing “Happy Birthday” to his grandmother.
“Out here drippin’ in Finesse!” Leo’s vibrant personality is impossible to miss. He fills any room with his infectious energy, and music has played a crucial role in helping him find his voice. Often, you’ll see him with headphones on, strumming his guitar and singing his heart out. Despite being aware of his apraxia, Leo remains patient, allowing others to process his words or repeating himself when necessary. As he prepares for kindergarten, he’s learning to use his AAC device, and I eagerly anticipate the day when he shares his incredible talents with the world. Because, after all, he is simply amazing.
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In summary, music has been a powerful tool in helping my son, Leo, find his voice amidst the challenges of apraxia. Through love, support, and perseverance, he is learning to express himself and embrace his unique journey.