Apraxia

SHELBY PENDLETON-WEATHERS
OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
 What is Apraxia?
A speech and language (communication) disorder
A motor speech disorder, which basically means the brain
has trouble sending messages to the lips, mouth and tongue
Two types:
Acquired Apraxia which is more common in adults
Developmental Apraxia, also known as Childhood Apraxia
of Speech (CAS)
birth to death
Can be mild to severe
 Characteristics
Complications with large and small motor skills
verbal difficulty putting sounds and syllables together correctly to form words
difficulty running, skipping
finger dexterity (holding and controlling a pencil affects handwriting)
Understand language better than they can speak it especially multi-syllable
words
Other challenges can include problems with reading, writing, spelling, math,
chewing and swallowing difficulties
Suffer from certain stigmas and stereotypes
less mature than their peers
socially awkward so making friends is tough
 Prevalence
More common in boys than in girls
Possible causes for adult Apraxia
include stroke
neurological injuries or condition
traumatic brain injury
Doctors dont always know what causes Childhood Apraxia
genetic
a simple infection
You might be surprised to learn that the fierce mixed martial artist
Rhonda Rousey has Apraxia
 Treatments/Support
Speech and language pathologists diagnose Apraxia
Treatments
speech therapy
ultrasound biofeedback (recording child tongue movement during sound
production then working to change placement for correct sound)
tactile facilitation
repetition, repetition, repetition
occupational therapy for motor planning (both fine and gross)
sign language
 Simulation Activity
Place two crackers in your mouth
Chew 5 times and do NOT swallow or move the food
toward your cheeks
Say this sentence:
Shelby sells seashells by the seashore
Infographic
 Sources
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/apraxia-speech

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-apraxia-of-spe
ech/symptoms-causes/dxc-20202057
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/library_category/understanding-apraxia/
http://www.speechirl.com/blog/the-speech-therapy-stigma
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/library/exploring-new-treatment-methods-for-
childhood-apraxia-of-speech/

https://www.apraxia-kids.org/library/who-is-qualified-to-diagnosis-childhoo
d-apraxia-of-speech
/
http://
www.apraxia-kids.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BSHM_Factsheet2.pdf