tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492604986228941982.post8897408548795827408..comments2023-07-20T08:12:57.724-04:00Comments on The Adventures of Orangeboy And His Antagonists!: Verbal apraxia and long meal times?Chinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13549840587938665855noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492604986228941982.post-80745879216083129972010-07-01T16:04:00.360-04:002010-07-01T16:04:00.360-04:00So glad to see that your blog back up -- it disapp...So glad to see that your blog back up -- it disappeared for a short time and I feared it was gone for good. I love your humor!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492604986228941982.post-90520967974840074322010-06-16T13:36:10.998-04:002010-06-16T13:36:10.998-04:00Thanks StatMama. You are right and we have done m...Thanks StatMama. You are right and we have done most of those things. Orangeboy has actually made a huge amount of progress over the years. He is now almost 11 years old. He used to gag on so many things and he actually does eat faster than he used to. He tested out of speech therapy in third grade but he still sounds a little "funny" and gets locked up sometimes.Chinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13549840587938665855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3492604986228941982.post-75062295886726333162010-06-09T22:00:44.527-04:002010-06-09T22:00:44.527-04:00Actually, there is hope! There are little exercis...Actually, there is hope! There are little exercises that can be done to help strengthen the oral and facial muscles. We use kazoos, blowing bubbles, have our son drink from a sippy cup or use a straw - basically any activity which brings awareness to and utilizes the muscles involved in eating and speaking.<br /><br />Transitioning from step 1 baby food, which has no solids in it at all, to the stage 2 baby food, was a nightmare. Our son coughed, gagged, and resisted with disgust even the foods which he loved in stage 1 form. It seemed anything that was not liquid or mush resulted in a huge mess and an even bigger tantrum.<br /><br />When we finally got him to accept solid foods, we began the battle with bite sizes. He either ate tiny bites that were almost ineffective in terms of consuming the food, or he took bites so big he would gag himself or have to spit the food back out. While we still struggle some, it is most definitely improving. Meal times are not lighning quick by any means, but time is improving with effort...and lots and lots of patience :)Stat Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15458000836896444929noreply@blogger.com