My friends and I all struggle with apraxia. Apraxia is why all of us are nonspeakers, and I have to say it affects EVERY aspect of life, not just speech. I am unable to tie my own shoes. I am unable to eat many kinds of foods. I am finally able to ride a bike, but it took quite a long time to learn.
It makes me impulsive and uncoordinated, as well as anxious because I never know what my body is going to do next. I can’t write or draw, and some days it can even be challenging to do the letterboard.
Apraxia is no joke!
I believe apraxia is also why I talk nonstop. I can’t hold a conversation, but I can recite things and I do it ALL DAY LONG….even when I am tired or know that I should be quiet. I also believe that apraxia is why I cannot read a long book by myself. Eye tracking issues make me get lost on the page.
I don’t believe apraxia is the worst thing you can have, but it isn’t the best thing either.
Yes, apraxia can get better, but it takes hard work and determination. I am improving as I am getting older. I do believe learning S2C has helped my mind/body connection. I also work with a trainer who specializes in coordination activities for apraxia.
So, apraxic individuals out there……there is hope for improvement. I see it in myself. And that old saying is true. “Practice Makes Permanent.” 
The hard work that you put in will pay off. My reward has been being able to author 4 books and take long bike rides with my family.
And Apraxia, I am going to learn to tie my shoes!
Just you watch!
My friends at S&A have the following words to share with you:
Apraxia looks like a session of “Simon Says.” I can comprehend the command. I am capable of doing the task. I need the prompt to perform it. – Sarah
Apraxia looks like a permanent straightjacket. – Anonymous
Apraxia for me: I walk into my sister’s room instead of walking downstairs. – Ben
Apraxia looks like a body that doesn’t listen. – Arun
I am so full of things I wish to do, but they mostly remain wishes because my body can’t carry them out without a lot of support. I am so at the mercy of my body’s compulsions.- Danny
Apraxia looks like not being able to initiate any task without prompt. – Divyesh
Apraxia looks like a body that’s told to do one thing but does something completely different instead. – Noah
Apraxia looks like living in a wheelchair without the chair. – Anonymous
Apraxia looked like no communication for 16 years. – Noah
I am alive in my head but seem dead. – Nicolas
If you want to learn more about autism and apraxia follow Spellers & Allies at https://i-asc.org/advocacy/ or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Gregory Tino is a nonspeaking autistic who has been spelling on a letterboard to communicate since 2017. He is an advocate for other nonspeakers, presents at conferences, and his goal is to educate people on the incredible capabilities of people with autism. He has written four books, The Land Called Boring , The Autistic Mind Finally Speaks , The Autistic Boy In The Unruly Body , and Santa’s Gift . He also has written the narrative for multiple videos on his YouTube channel which is entitled Gregory C Tino. He is a proud member of the Spellers & Allies advocacy group and SEEN (Spellers Empowering Education for Nonspeakers). In his free time he enjoys writing for his blog The Autistic Mind Finally Speaks on WordPress and spending time with family and his Inside Voice friends.
2 Responses
Gregory, thank you for this post. Apraxia is very hard for me as a parent to understand, yet alone try to explain to others. And every little insight that you or others with apraxia provide help me to understand my son and apraxia a bit better. thank you!
I can’t wait for the day my non speaking grandson can communicate with us via S2C