Apraxia Awareness

What is Apraxia of Speech:

Apraxia awareness day is also May 14th occurred this week and so inspired this blog post. Apraxia of Speech is a term to describe motor a planning disorder that can occur in both adults and kids and can affect both eating and speech. In adults Apraxia occurs after a stroke typically or as a result of other neurologically based events such a brain injury. In children we often do not know the cause. What happens is that a child or adult with Apraxia has difficulty coordinating muscles needed for speech. The child or adult knows what to say but as a result motor planning difficulties in the brain the muscles may move in a different way wanted.

Symptoms of Apraxia (Children)

For young children they may not babble or coo in their first year and then only have a few vowel sounds. For older children they usually make inconsistent sound errors that are not typical compared to peers. A child with Apraxia also has difficulty imitating speech or speech sounds. They may in fact try to say something 2-3 times and it comes out different each time. As a result of CAS children also may appear to be moving their tongue or mouth in a "groping" motion when attempting to produce sounds or coordinate tongue and lips.  Children with apraxia often will have more difficulty saying longer words (multisyllabic) and may also appear to have more difficulty with longer phrases rather than shorter ones.

Treatment 

According to ASHA.org research shows that children with CAS are more successful with speech if they receive intensive treatment with a speech-language pathologist (3-5 times per week). The website also states that as the child improves treatment may be needed less often. Treatments for apraxia should be designed to give help treat planning, sequencing, and coordinating of muscles during speech activities not just strengthen muscles. Any activity used just to strengthen muscles should be avoided as it is motor planning in the brain that is the problem with apraxia not strength of articulators. Treatment should also include having the child get feedback that will be reinforcing to new speech movements (looking in a mirror, listening to a recorded word when correct, having them "feel" correct tongue and jaw placement.) As well a speech-language pathologist can assist with other ways of communicating as well with teaching some sign or through augmentative and alternative communication.

Some Final Advice for Families

One of the most important things for families to remember is that the treatment of apraxia of speech takes time and commitment. Children with CAS need a supportive environment that helps them feel successful. (Taken for Asha.org see sources below).

Additional Resources:

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhoodapraxia/

http://www.apraxia-kids.org

http://www.kidspeech.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=194&Itemid=485

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/c/verbal-apraxia/

http://mommyspeechtherapy.com/?p=2247