Jake's Journey with Apraxia

After my emotional meltdown last week, I coped by getting online to educate myself. I stumbled upon a 2009 study by Dr. Claudia Morris: “Syndrome of allergy, apraxia, and malabsorption: characterization of a neurodevelopment phenotype that responds to vitamin E supplementation.” A few key points of the study were:

• Vitamin E deficiency causes symptoms that overlap those of verbal apraxia. 
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cell membrane are vulnerable to lipid peroxidation and early destruction of vitamin E is not readily available.
• Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and malabsorption of nutrients such as vitamin E and carnitine may contribute to neurological abnormalities.
• A total of 187 children with verbal apraxia received vitamin E + polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation.
• In all, 181 families (97%) reported dramatic improvements in a number of areas including speech, imitation, coordination, eye contact, behavior, sensory issues, and development of pain sensation.
• Low carnitine (20/26), high antigliadin antibodies (15/21), gluten sensitivity HLA alleles (10/10), zinc (2/2), and vitamin D deficiencies (4/7) were common abnormalities. 
• Fat malabsorption (4/7) was identified in 8 of 11 boys screened.

From this perspective, apraxia of speech is not viewed as a “disorder,” but as symptoms, which are a result of imbalances within the body.

After researching a little more, I clarified a few questions I had. First, the association of gluten sensitivity in these children was of particular interest. Not only wsa genetic predisposition present, but of the kids tested, many had high antigliadin antibodies. These are the antibodies that are produced in response to gliadin, a part of the gluten molecule.

Next, approximately 60 to 70 percent of the brain is made up of fats that help in brain development, specifically supporting cognitive functioning and memory. Omega-3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat and includes all of those letters we’ve heard so much hype about from the past few years — DHA, EPA, and ALA. Oily fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel have the highest levels of omega-3.

Jake’s allergist said he should not take an omega-3 fish oil supplement. Technically, people are allergic to the protein in fish, which should be removed from the oil. But cross-contamination may occur. So, how else can he get omega-3? In small quantities, it is found in eggs, lean red meat, and turkey. Plant sources of ALA include: flaxseed, hempseed, walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and hazelnuts.

Vitamin E can be found in wheat germ oil, almonds, spinach, turnips, avocados, asparagus, kiwi, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potato, and tomato.

For more information on this topic, the complete study can be found at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19623831/. Also, the article “The Best Dyspraxia Program Ever,” by Kelly Dorfman in the New Developments publication, is an excellent resource.

* Disclaimer: Always consult with a doctor before beginning any diet or supplement program. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only.

This blog documented Tori Starling’s journey with her son’s apraxia from 2012-2016. She is now a holistic health practitioner & coach providing holistic education & support to moms of children with apraxia of speech. Ways to learn more:

1. Follow on Instagram @tori_simplyholistic
2. Check out the book — “Voice of Truth: A Mother’s Journey to Help Her Son Heal from Apraxia of Speech”
3. Subscribe to the new blog at Simply Holistic Solutions