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Expert: - 1/6/2010


Question
Is there any way to differentiate between Braco's aphasia and the normal speech delays presented in autism.
I have a 7 year old that is autistic but that also suffered a severe heavy metal poisoning at 19-24 months of age.

We were told that she would suffer permanent brain damage and have problems with expressive language, we are unsure if her current speech impairments are due to autism or heavy metal poisoning or a combination of the two, is there anything that presents with braco's aphasia that would be uncharacteristic in autism?

Answer
Hi Lois

I don't really know if it makes any sense to differentiate how and what caused your daughter's language impairments, as I imagine having been exposed to heavy metals at such a young age would cause lots of language issues.

That said, Broca's aphasia involves expressive language issues whereas autism prevails in both receptive and expressive language issues. so if your daughter is having processing issues, then that would not be an expressive language issue.

But who could say that heavy metal exposure wouldn't cause receptive language issues as well?  

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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