Alyssa G Loves horseback riding and art class

Confidence Helped Alyssa Find Her Voice

Alyssa was born in October 2003 healthy and 9lbs 12oz. She was on target with most of her developmental milestones until just before her second birthday. Alyssa wasn’t speaking as much as she should and her mother knew the speech team at Children’s Specialized Hospital would help Alyssa find her voice.
“Her lack of speech and also her very low muscle tone is what prompted me to make appointments for evaluations,” said Deirdre Genovese, Alyssa’s mom.

Alyssa received physical therapy and speech therapy three times a week for muscle strengthening, language delay and apraxia. Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder. Children with CAS have problems saying sounds, syllables, and words. This is not because of muscle weakness or paralysis. The brain has problems planning to move the body parts (e.g., lips, jaw, tongue) needed for speech.

Alyssa struggled at times to communicate and was also taught sign language to help with her frustrations. Alyssa has also been seen and followed by specialist for ADD and Auditory Processing Disorder.

Despite all of these challenges, Alyssa went from being a very shy introverted toddler to an out-going, energetic pre-teen who loves to horseback ride and takes art classes. The therapists and her physician really encouraged Alyssa and gave her the tools she needed to become independent and boost her self-esteem and confidence.