I have gotten better at participating in group discussions and activities, especially when we are all spelling or working at the same time. I notice that I am more engaged when we are all doing the same or similar things. Staying in a conversation when I have to wait has always been more difficult. My therapists have been helping me improve this by encouraging me to wait to respond until my friend is done spelling. I also practice staying seated, rather than taking a break while they spell their response to me.

I think apraxia and impulse control are what make this challenging. When my body is not actively doing something, it almost seems to think it needs to be at rest. For me, the feeling of being stuck is the most frustrating part of having apraxia. I don’t get as frustrated with everyday things anymore, but when it impacts my social situations it bothers me more. I am looking forward to continued improvement with this because it will help me build my friendships further.