|
APRAXIA:
Apraxia of speech can best be described as
a disorder in which an individual demonstrates difficulty
sequencing commands for the positioning and movement of the
muscles necessary to produce speech sounds. Apraxia can exist on
many different levels and can result in an inability to produce
words, difficulty putting words together into sentences, slow or
uncoordinated speech or anything in between. Children can be
born with apraxia or adults may demonstrate apraxia after a
stroke.
Individuals with apraxia demonstrate many
characteristics which are specific to the disorder. These
characteristics include, but are not limited to:
-
difficulty imitating tongue and lip
movements
-
difficulty producing vowels
-
trial and error groping or placement of
the lips and tongue when attempting to produce words
-
they appear to understand more than they
can verbally relay
-
inconsistent errors in sounds/words
produced
Apraxia requires therapy designed specifically to help
patients overcome this problem. Patients with apraxia
demonstrate limited progress in reaction to typical
articulation, phonological process and language therapy. Apraxia
therapy should be conducted in a one-on-one situation and
include motor programming tasks and visual cueing.
Sign language is typically also used to provide the patient a
short-term communication method to help decrease frustration and
encourage attempts at verbal communication. We consider it
imperative that the patient's caregivers and family members be
involved, as frequent daily practice is necessary to effectively
overcome apraxia.
It is difficult to estimate a prognosis for apraxia because
the disorder can exist on many different levels. Predictors of
the development and outcome of a patient's condition include:
therapist experience and ability to modify the program to meet
patient needs, patient desire to communicate, parental
involvement and daily practice. The long-term prognosis is
typically good with adequate intervention and commitment from
all parties involved.
Additional Links
Apraxia-kids
Apraxia Guide to Helpful Links and Resources
CHERAB Foundation/Late
Talkers VS Apraxia
|
