Apraxia of Speech: Apraxia Therapy for All Ages
Therapy to improve speech clarity & coordination for apraxia of speech.
This therapy is designed for individuals of all ages who have been diagnosed with apraxia of speech, a motor speech disorder that affects the brain pathways involved in planning the sequence of movements required for speech.
Apraxia therapy focuses on improving the ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for clear and accurate speech, addressing issues such as inconsistent sound errors and difficulty with speech rhythm and rate.
Verse offers specialized therapists who provide personalized, evidence-based treatments tailored to each individual's unique needs, ensuring compassionate and effective care.
Explore Your Apraxia Therapy Options
Apraxia of speech can be addressed in a variety of ways when you are working with a licensed speech therapist. An SLP may integrate several types of treatment options in order to meet your needs and personalize services.
Articulatory-Kinematic Therapy
The articulatory-kinematic approach focuses on improving the accuracy of speech movements through repetitive practice and feedback, enhancing the brain's ability to plan and execute speech movements. Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), and script training are all examples of possible approaches.
Rate and Rhythm Control
Techniques such as metronome pacing and melodic intonation therapy, are used to improve speech fluency by controlling the rate and rhythm of speech.
Sensory Cueing
Sensory cueing utilizes visual, tactile, and auditory cues to facilitate correct speech production, helping individuals associate sensory feedback with accurate speech movements.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
The use of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methods, including communication boards or speech-generating devices, can be introduced to support effective communication.
The methods of addressing apraxia of speech can vary based on your personal needs and preferences. It is important to go over all your options with with a licensed speech pathologist on what treatment method(s) may be right for you.
Understanding Apraxia of Speech
Apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder where the brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech, despite knowing what it wants to say.
Acquired Apraxia of Speech
Individuals who previously had normal speech abilities but lost them due to brain injury, stroke, or progressive neurological disorders may acquire apraxia of speech.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Childhood apraxia of speech is present from birth and affects children's ability to develop normal speech patterns, leading to inconsistent sound errors and difficulty with speech rhythm.
Apraxia can occur across the age spectrum through varying conditions. Therapy conducted by a licensed SLP can help you or your loved ones build speech skills through targeted practice and activities.
Benefits of Apraxia Therapy
Therapy addressing apraxia of speech can significantly improve speech production, coordination, and confidence in communication.
Improved Speech Clarity
Speech therapy enhances the brain’s ability to plan and execute speech movements, resulting in clearer, more intelligible speech.
Increased Speech Consistency
When therapy activities focus on repetitive speech exercises, individuals experience fewer inconsistent sound errors, leading to more predictable and fluent speech.
Enhanced Communication Confidence
Individuals can gain greater confidence in their ability to communicate effectively in daily conversations, reducing frustration, anxiety, or withdrawal from social settings.
Expanded Communication Methods
When it comes to severe apraxia, the speech therapist may introduce alternative communication methods (e.g., AAC) to ensure that they can express themselves effectively.
Working with an SLP to address apraxia of speech can have a lasting impact on your overall speech skills, empowering you or your loved one to be an effective communicator.
Why Choose Verse Therapy for Apraxia Therapy?
Verse Therapy works with highly specialized speech language pathologists who focus on accessibility, convenience, and personalized care for you or your loved ones.
Individualized Therapy Plans
Every treatment plan is personalized based on an individual’s specific challenges and progress, ensuring a tailored approach to speech improvement.
Expert Therapists Specializing in Apraxia
Verse partners with SLPs who are experts in their respective fields. Working with an Apraxia-focused SLP ensures you have access to a therapist who is up to date on the latest research, treatment methodologies, and trends in apraxia of speech.
Virtual Convenience
Virtual therapy allows clients to benefit from speech therapy from the comfort of their home, making it easier for individuals and families to access high-quality care. If you have busy or tight schedules, virtual therapy can cut down on travel time, allowing for therapy to fit seamlessly into your day.
Family and Caregiver Involvement
Speech therapists work closely with families and caregivers to provide guidance and support, ensuring that therapy techniques can be reinforced outside of sessions.
What to Expect from Apraxia Therapy
01Initial Consultation & Evaluation
The speech language pathologist will conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate communication abilities, focusing on your strengths and areas of need. In order to conduct a comprehensive evaluation, the SLP will use a variety of methods such as interviews, observations, work samples, and formal and informal tests.
02Personalized Treatment Plan
With the assessment completed, the SLP will design individualized treatment plans based on their findings and your personal communication goals.
03Ongoing Therapy Sessions
SLPs track progress through regular evaluation and feedback sessions. If new information arises, the SLP can adjust goals and plans to address new challenges or enhance outcomes, ensuring steady improvements.
04Maintenance Strategies
Throughout your sessions, the speech therapist will work with you and your support system to sustain progress and generalize skills. This can include at-home exercises or homework, caregiver training, or continued use of language skills. A robust home program will empower individuals to maintain their communication skills independently.
Meet Our Apraxia Therapy Specialists
Katherine Shore
Katie has over five years of experience in Speech-Language Pathology, specializing in adult cognitive-linguistic impairments and voice disorders. She is ASHA-certified, co-founded a PPA support group, and enjoys outdoor activities and travel in her free time.
Kristen Riley
Kristen is a certified speech-language pathologist with over seven years of experience. She specializes in diverse communication disorders, offering personalized therapy sessions in California and Oregon. Her approach emphasizes neurodiversity, individual strengths, and setting practical, attainable goals.
Paul McGill
Paul McGill is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over five years of experience in various settings. He specializes in social communication, school-related language disorders, and cognitive communication disorders. Paul holds ASHA certification and enjoys hiking and gaming.
Take the First Step Toward Clearer Speech
Working with a licensed speech therapist to address your or your loved one’s apraxia of speech can lead to transformative benefits, provide clarity of communication expectations, and empower you to be an effective communicator.