Living with Verbal Apraxia: Q&A

Hi! I'm posting this video in the hope to spread awareness to my rare speech disorder also known as Verbal Apraxia; this is only part of my story. I decided to do a question and answer format to understand what people would want to know about directly! If anybody would want me to make more informative videos like this on Verbal Apraxia or anything, let me know!
SOCIAL MEDIA:

[summerrenee]

My toddler was just diagnosed with this. Honestly this video has helped me with my emotions so much. Thank you for taking the time to post this.

[edwardlee]

I have twin boys 21, both with apraxia. Apraxia of speech is a bitch, you explain it well and I understood every word you said. Your willingness to talk about it, pun intended, is a testament to your strength and courage. Keep talking, I’m listening. 

My boys are doing great, like you a testament of what can be while living with apraxia.

[lakewilson]

Thank you. I'm 22 and I've only just discovered that Verbal Apraxia is likely what I have. I've never heard another person who sounds like me before.

[markgoldrup]

Hey I just wanted to thank you for posting this. My 11 year old son has apraxia of speech and it MADE HIS DAY to watch this video. I can’t believe it never occurred to me before to look for videos like this. But it meant the world to him to have an idea of how amazingly good it can get and what there is to look forward to. It really is so kind of you to take the time to share your experience. It requires bravery as well as kindness toward others and I just really appreciate that. My son, like you, exudes a sort of sweetness. And I think that it must be the case that, at least for a certain personality type, having a limit on your ability to express yourself verbally naturally leads to you discovering other ways to connect with others. So for some, and this definitely includes my son and seems to include you, there is just this blossoming of kindness and warmth that is really wonderful to encounter. It makes me really excited for my son’s future to think of what a uniquely emotionally gifted person he is going to be when he is able to put together that tremendous warmth with the capacity to express himself verbally as fluidly as you do. So thanks once again. Hope you have a great day :)

[dotjretion]

I'm in my 20s and I have what is most likely verbal apraxia as a symptom of autism, and this is the most I've ever felt seen. I can't thank you enough.

[randymaez]

Very proud of you for putting this out there! We have an 11 year old daughter that has speech apraxia. Keep on sharing your testimony and journey.

[dgmj]

Hi, Jordan. Thank you so much for this video. It put me in tears to know how much hope there is for my 5 year old son Nolan. It's sad, when I play a video of him talking he always wants me to turn it off because he already dislikes his own voice and he asked me why has God made him not talk normal. I don't know if it's apraxia that he has but it sounds very similar to difficulties associated with apraxia. He does not ever without prompting want to finish the second half of a word or final sound of a word. So "word" becomes "wor" for him. "Big" is just "bi" I was so impressed with your speaking. I can see purposeful clear and deliberate pronunciations when you speak and I showed him. When you talked about the brain not wanting to send the signals correctly he started knocking on his own head like he was mad at his brain. Nolan does have an IEP and has been in speech therapy for 2 or 3 years already. He is going into kindergarten this year. He does have a twin brother with no speech problems.

[angv]

Is it just me, or his voice very calming. Like I could just listen to it all day 😂

[MadHatter]

You are making a huge difference in the apraxia community, Jordan. My son has apraxia and I'm in many support groups for parents and let me just say we see you!!!! You are a treasure to parents raising kids with apraxia of speech, myself included. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your journey.

[veronicajones]

My son is 4 years old and Apraxic. This year has been really hard for him. For our family. Thank you for being so open. Hearing you speak has really eased my worry. Thank you❤️

[bonniewhatley]

I think you speaking incredibly well, Jordan! I plan to show this to my granddaughter who I am continuously telling to slow her speech down and say her letters clearly!

[noxuinddau]

Witnessing people with real problems always makes me appreciate what I've got going for me. You're strong as steel mate

[Tabbybaby]

I'm sitting here crying because my 3 year old son is going to therapy now. I noticed something was a bit off when his now 2 year birthday li sister began to say words and make sounds that he couldn't. It took about 4 months to get him in with a therapist. Thank you so much for this channel. It's really uplifting my spirit ❤️

[MinxUp]

You have such a beautiful tone to your voice. I hope my son speaks as well as you someday. Right now he has only one word, which I’m thankful he has even one!

[lindseybielski]

I had Apraxia when I was younger. Nobody could understand me besides my close friend and sister. I pointed at what I wanted and even at 7 the words were not coming out correctly. I went to a special school from preschool and kindergarten. When I was in first grade until 5th grade. I struggled because nobody could understand what I was saying. I wanted to say the word but it wasn’t coming out. I was told even today that I sound like I am from another country. You can’t tell today I have it but it still happens that the word is not coming out what I want. Now I can never stop talking. When I was younger in speech I had a speech teacher that was extremely mean and would scream at me. She would of been fired if I would of told anyone but if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t of gotten to the point where I talk that you can’t tell I had apraxia or a speech problem.

[brendamunoz]

My son was diagnosed with apraxia at 2
He’s going to be four in October he recently received a device to help with his speech but his therapist said he might not even need it because when I tell you he’s progressed so much, I mean this kid progressed.


Amazing video! I’m so excited and I have so much hope for my son!

[lookscookslindsay]

My mother is 52 and has developed apraxia following her stroke. She is still really, really struggling with getting the correct words out, but we are trying to remember it's only been five months, and this takes a lot of practice. Just wish I could help her more because I know it gets so frustrating for her 😔 thanks so much for sharing this, it gives me a lot of hope!

[RawringReagan]

My daughter is 3 and she hasn’t been diagnosed but her speech therapist thinks she has apraxia. We’ve been doing lots of things to determine if it’s what she has. I’ve always been able to tell she couldn’t talk right. As an infant learning to talk she never repeated words back or seemed to want to. With my second baby it’s so different. She talks so much and mimics us. I’m so beyond grateful you made this video and gave an insight to what you go through and I hope others that see it become more understanding. You’re so strong. So brave. And so appreciated for making this video. I’m forever thankful to you for giving me a different perspective and showing me what it’s like down the road with apraxia. I’m so proud and thankful for you

[ejkurnik]

Incredible! My 2 year old nephew was diagnosed today. You speak eloquently. I find your pace and tone you use to be captivating and demanding of attention. Thank you for making this video. Fantastic message and insight!

[mindistart]

I love this video. Thank you so much. You’re right, I’m a parent and my son has verbal apraxia. You’re doing so well and that makes me happy. Thank you.