November 19, 2011
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Apraxia
Apraxia of speech, also known as verbal apraxia or dyspraxia, is a speech disorder in which a child has trouble saying what he or she wants to say correctly and consistently.
Children with developmental apraxia of speech generally understand language much better than they are able to use words to express themselves.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder. For reasons not yet fully understood, children with apraxia of speech have great difficulty planning and producing the precise, highly refined and specific series of movements of the tongue, lips, jaw and palate that are necessary for intelligible speech. Apraxia of speech is sometimes called verbal apraxia, developmental apraxia of speech, or verbal dyspraxia. No matter what name is used, the most important concept is the root word “praxis.” Praxis means planned movement. To some degree or another, a child with the diagnosis of apraxia of speech has difficulty programming and planning speech movements. Apraxia of speech is a specific speech disorder.
The act of speech begins with an intention to communicate. Next, an idea forms, outlining what the speaker wants to say. The words for the desired message are put in the correct order, using the correct grammar. Each of the words are comprised of a specific sequence of sounds (also called phonemes)and syllables that must be ordered together. All of this information is translated from an idea and information about order of sounds into a series of highly coordinated motor movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, and soft palate.
The brain must tell the muscles of these “articulators” the exact order and timing of movements so that the words in the message are properly articulated. Finally, the muscles must work properly with enough strength and muscle tone to perform the movements needed for speech.
In typically developing speech, children make word attempts and get feedback from others and from their own internal systems regarding how “well” the words they produced matched the ones that they wanted to produce. Children use this information the next time they attempt the words and essentially are able to “learn from experience.” Usually once syllables and words are spoken repeatedly, the speech motor act becomes automatic. Speech motor plans and programs are stored in the brain and can be accessed effortlessly when they are needed. Children with apraxia of speech have difficulty in this aspect of speech. It is believed that children with CAS may not be able to form or access speech motor plans and programs or that these plans and programs are faulty for some reason.
Many therapists believe that sign language is beneficial for children who have difficulty being understood. They often recommend that children attempt to say the words they are signing to practice making the necessary movements with their mouths.
People with more extreme cases of acquired apraxia may also benefit from sign language. Or they may use assistive electronic devices, including computers that can be used to produce words and sentences.
Very few studies have been done to determine the relative effectiveness of various treatment approaches for childhood apraxia of speech.
Where can I get more Information about Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA)
1151 Freeport Road, #243
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
E-mail helpdesk@apraxia-kids.org
Website: www.apraxia-kids.orgBirth Defect Research for Children, Inc. (BDRC)
930 Woodcock Road, Suite 225
Orlando, FL 32803
E-mail staff@birthdefects.org
Website: www.birthdefects.orgCHERAB Foundation
P.O. Box 8524
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
E-mail help@cherab.org
Website: www.cherab.org
www.speechville.com
Comments (10)
Thank you for bringing awareness to this disorder.
My son still has difficulties with his speech. He just turned four last month, and he still babbles like a toddler most of the time. He has a few sentences, but not nearly as many as he should. He’s been to a neurologist who has ruled out autism, and we’re waiting to see a speech pathologist to tell us if it’s just a delay or apraxia. He does respond well to sign language, and his teachers use it as often as they can with him at school.
My son was diagnosed with Dyspraxia and Autism last summer (2010).
Rec’d – I have mild to moderate Broca’s aphasia so I know how precious those few words are!! I wish people understood that I’m not STUPID (rather, I’m a MENSA-level genius)…I’m just a stroke survivor.
Interesting, so it’s different from other kinds of speech disorders like stuttering. Thanks, I learned something!
@CrazySwede - I can only imagine how frustrating that would be!
@DivaJyoti - @the_rocking_of_socks - @mamabeans - @CrazySwede - My youngest is being assessed. They think that he has Apraxia
@Kristenmomof3 - Hopefully they find an answer soon. Have they started speech therapy or are you in one of the states that can’t start any treatment until he has a definite diagnosis/label?
@DivaJyoti - Because I’m on a good friend of a REALLY good friend’s blog, I’ll be nice–it REALLY stinks, to put it mildly.
@CrazySwede - He is in his third year of speech therapy
@Kristenmomof3 - If you need any help navigating the maze that is special ed, I’m an ed student who will student teach next fall (AKA they’re teaching me what all this BS means) and had a 504 and received OT/gifted and talented services in school. My parents had to fight for me too. You are NOT alone. I will do anything I can/explain anything I can. Message me here (or on FB-Khai will tell you who I am there).