Hypochondroplasia kid: Speech

What is hypochondroplasia?

Hypochondroplasia is a form of short-limbed dwarfism. This condition affects the conversion of cartilage into bone (a process called ossification), particularly in the long bones of the arms and legs. Hypochondroplasia is similar to another skeletal disorder called achondroplasia, but the features tend to be milder.

All people with hypochondroplasia have short stature. The adult height for men with this condition ranges from 138 centimeters to 165 centimeters (4 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 5 inches). The height range for adult women is 128 centimeters to 151 centimeters (4 feet, 2 inches to 4 feet, 11 inches).

People with hypochondroplasia have short arms and legs and broad, short hands and feet. Other characteristic features include a large head, limited range of motion at the elbows, a sway of the lower back (lordosis), and bowed legs. These signs are generally less pronounced than those seen with achondroplasia and may not be noticeable until early or middle childhood. Some studies have reported that a small percentage of people with hypochondroplasia have mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, but other studies have produced conflicting results.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Speech

Coleman has had so many changes(for the good) in the past three months. It started when he got his tonsils out in August, and then going to school and being in a structures environment. He has always been behind in his speech, which seems about normal for kids with hypochondroplasia. I was wondering if others with Hypochondroplasia have experienced speech problems or delays also? Coleman qualified to get into PreK at our local elementary school and his therapist are there in the school. He qualified for Speech Therapy and APE (Adapted Phy. Edu.) and is in a regular ed. class. He is vocalizing his needs and wants to friends and teachers. He is speaking so well now, I rarely have to ask "what did you say" He is also showing interest in books and school, where he was not. I think it is a combination of tonsils out and school making more confidence.

3 comments:

JaneNovember 10, 2010 at 4:40 PM
We have a speech evaluation for Camden tomorrow! That is so weird that you posted this today! He's 20 months and understands everything we say and "talks" constantly, but just has a hard time communicating with us. He's way ahead of the game as far as his physical ability and fine motor skills, but he is definitely behind with speech.
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AndreaNovember 11, 2010 at 6:15 AM
Evan is behind in his speech also. He's been in speech for 3 years now and will continue to take it in elementary school.
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Lisa MooreNovember 13, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Carson has been behind in speech as well and we are having the hardest time getting him into speech therapy. Even though I fought with the pediatrician (don't get me wrong he's a great doc) to send a referral all that did was get us on a waiting list. That was months ago with no end in sight. I am so frustrated because when you read about plans of care for kids with hypochondroplasia it includes speech therapy. I agree with Jane in that Carson understands everything we tell him but can't really tell us what he wants. My husband is fluent in sign language and has been teaching him some basic signs to help him tell us what he wants. He has picked this up really fast and that has been a huge help to us.
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