Trevor's Evaluation

For about a year now I have been very concerned about Trevor. Some of the concerns that I have had about him is the lack of words that he has, and when he tries to say some words his mouth will make the word shape but know sounds will come out. I have talked to other Moms and I have got the usual response the second child takes longer to talk because they do not have too. The older child talks for them. Very true; but not my Trevor. He is also EXTREMELY clumsy. He is constantly getting hurt! He has some other little quirks but the language and the clumsiness were and still are my two main concerns. I talked to my pediatrician and she recommended speech therapy. We have been doing Speech Therapy since July and have made some progress. Mrs. Martha (the Speech Pathologist) referred us along with a dear friend also to a local agency called Quality of Life. Quality of life suggested an evaluation with 5 or 6 trained professionals to diagnose and help me help Trevor. Last Tuesday Trevor had his evaluation.
We had to wait several weeks for the evaluation I prayed so hard for a very positive experience. I am so grateful that my prayers were answered. We had a very good positive experience.
He was diagnosed with Apraxia and extremely week arches and ankles. He needs more hours of speech Therapy every week and he need to be fitted for special boots and arch supports. We will be going to a specialist tomorrow to fit Trevor for his boots and arch supports. I am once again praying for a good experience.
I fave enclosed a definition of Apraxia to help those of you who are not familiar with apraxia. Children with apraxia of speech have great difficulty 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.
I have been extremely fearful that Trevor may not ever be able to talk. I know that their are children out there that can not talk and their are also lots of children that have way worse disabilities than Trevor. It just seems so sad when you look at sweet Trevor and see the sadness that comes from not being able to express your thoughts and ideas. I know that Trevor thinks in full and complete sentences and he desires with all of his little being to express himself and his mouth just will not allow him too express his voice.
One of the many ways that I am trying to help Trevor communicate is by learning American Sigh Language. By learning around 100 simple signs Trevor is gaining his voice. It is so wonderful to see the pleasure on his sweet face when he signs something and we can understand what he is saying. I am so grateful for sign language! I know that one day Trevor will be able to use his words but until that day comes we will continue to use sign language.
I am so grateful that Heavenly Father entrusted me with Trevor. I hope that I will be able to make all the resources he needs available to him or figure out how to help him on my own.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers.