Can Apraxia Of Speech Improve With Speech Therapy?

Apraxia of speech is also often referred to as AOS, acquired apraxia of speech, verbal apraxia, or childhood apraxia of speech when identified in children. Apraxia of speech is a disorder that affects motor planning abilities. This means that those affected have sufficient language abilities to communicate effectively, but the messages between the brain and the muscles required for speech aren’t properly received. Individuals with apraxia know what they want to say, but it is challenging for their brains to coordinate the muscle movements needed for speech production. AOS makes it difficult to turn speech sounds into syllables, words, and sentences. Because of this, speech is often difficult for others to understand.

Speech therapy provides tailored support to those who are struggling to communicate due to apraxia of speech. This disorder can impact individuals of all ages, and its effect on communication can vary between cases. 

If you want to learn more about how speech therapy might help you or someone close to you or are ready to get started, we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us today by scheduling your free introductory call now!

What are the Types of Apraxia of Speech?

Apraxia of speech is typically classified into two primary types: acquired apraxia of speech and childhood apraxia of speech. 

Acquired Apraxia of Speech: This type of AOS can affect individuals of any age, though it is most commonly diagnosed in adults. Acquired apraxia of speech results from damage to the area of the brain responsible for speech production, causing a loss of speech skills that were previously present. The most common causes of this disorder are traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, or other conditions that affect the brain. 

Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Childhood Apraxia of Speech (also referred to as CAS or developmental apraxia of speech) is typically present from birth. This disorder differs from delayed speech in children, as children with a speech delay commonly follow the typical development of communication, just at a slower pace than others. More research is needed to understand the causes of CAS, however experts believe there is a genetic component. Children who are diagnosed with CAS are often related to someone who has a communication disorder or a history of communication challenges. Generally speaking, boys are more often affected by CAS than girls, though the reason for this is largely unknown. 

Speech therapy provides essential help and support to those with apraxia of speech, regardless of age. If you or someone close to you needs communication support, contact us to schedule your free introductory call today!

What are the Symptoms of Apraxia of Speech?

Individuals with either type of apraxia of speech will often display the following speech characteristics: 

Distorted Speech Sounds: Individuals with this disorder struggle to properly pronounce speech sounds and words. Vowel sounds are typically the most distorted, as individuals with AOS are unable to achieve proper tongue placement or coordinate the movements to produce these sounds. This results in distorted speech sounds, with longer words being more difficult to produce than shorter, simpler words. 

Inconsistent Speech Errors: Those with apraxia of speech are often inconsistent in their speech production. This means that they may produce a word or sound correctly one time but be completely unable to say it at another time. 

Fumbling for Words or Sounds: Apraxia of speech can cause individuals to struggle to find the right word or sound when speaking. It is common for those with this disorder to take several attempts to produce a word or sound before they are successful. 

Differences in Rhythm, Stress, or Vocal Tone: Incorrect use of prosody is a common characteristic of the disorder. The term prosody refers to the rhythm and emphasis of speech which is essential for providing context and expressing meaning. Individuals with AOS may put equal emphasis on each syllable, pause excessively when speaking, or omit whole syllables, words, or phrases. 

Can Apraxia of Speech Go Away? 

In instances of acquired apraxia of speech, it is possible in some cases for the individual to recover their lost communication skills without treatment. This is called spontaneous recovery and typically occurs when the affected area of the brain heals, and the connections are restored. Spontaneous recovery is relatively rare, however, and most individuals with apraxia of speech require speech therapy to rebuild their speech, language, and communication skills.

Does Apraxia Improve with Age?

When it comes to childhood apraxia of speech, children do not outgrow this disorder. CAS makes those affected unable to acquire basic speech and language skills through exposure and interactions, as typically developing children can. Because of this, early intervention speech therapy is essential for children with CAS. 

How is Apraxia of Speech Treated?

Specialized speech and language pathologists employ a variety of approaches and methods when treating apraxia of speech. Speech therapy treatment plans for apraxia are tailored to fit the needs, age, abilities, and goals of each individual.

Speech therapy for childhood apraxia of speech is typically play-based to encourage participation and enthusiasm from young children. A wide variety of games, activities, and techniques are used to ensure steady progress and effective support of the child and their development. Depending on the severity of the disorder and its impact on communication, speech therapy may be required for months and, in some cases, years.

Adults with acquired apraxia of speech often require intensive speech therapy sessions with one-on-one support to ensure optimal progress is reached. 

Whether working with a child or adult, speech therapy for apraxia focuses on motor planning and programming using a combination of visual and tactile cues, repetition and practice, and improving prosody. 

In more severe instances of the disorder, individuals may need to develop alternative methods of communication. Speech therapy can help establish these methods, which may include a notebook with pictures or written words or the use of an electronic device such as a tablet or smartphone. These alternative methods can also help to stimulate other areas of the brain and encourage better language comprehension and literacy skills. 

It is important to remember that the level of progress made during speech therapy can vary significantly between individuals. Those who benefit from family support, outside encouragement, and ample practice at home typically progress well. 

If you think you or a loved one needs the support of an experienced speech and language pathologist, look no further than the incredible virtual speech therapy services provided by Great Speech. Learn more by scheduling your free introductory call today!