Developmental Apraxia

Developmental Apraxia

by Nancy William, M.A.

Introduction

Please notice the movement of your lips, tongue, and throat muscles as you:

READ THIS SENTENCE ALOUD.

Did you feel the "r" in "read" giving your tongue and lips a workout? Did you notice how your tongue and throat muscles worked together to say "this"? You have just made more than fifteen muscle movements to say "Read this sentence aloud"!

Amazing, isn't it? As adults we take speaking for granted. But it is a very complex skill. Speaking requires good physical coordination of the lips, tongue, and throat muscles. That means they must all work together to make sounds and to combine different sounds to make words.

What is developmental apraxia? Apraxia is difficulty forming sounds into words. The term "developmental apraxia" is used when children have this problem.

In adults, apraxia is usually caused by a stroke or other physical injury. The reason for developmental apraxia is less clear. It is not caused by weak muscles. Your child may be able to smile, eat, and make other movements normally. The problem is coordinating all the muscles used to speak.

What are the common characteristics of developmental apraxia? A child with developmental apraxia may be unable to say certain words. Or, the child may say a word correctly once, but be unable to do it again next time. The important thing to remember is that your child knows what to say, but has trouble forming the words. Some common characteristics are:

• The child usually understands what others say, but has trouble replying.

• The child may talk unevenly or very slowly.

• Sometimes the child may move the muscles used for speech without making sounds.

The child usually has more difficulty saying longer words and sentences The child may have other coordination problems, such as difficulty walking, coloring, or playing with toys. Some children with developmental apraxia may also have hyperactivity, feeding problems, other language difficulties, or learning problems.

What can parents do to help?

Your child with developmental apraxia may be getting help from a speech and language clinician. But your help as a parent is even more important. You can help your child express needs, wants, thoughts, and emotions. Take time to discuss the following ideas with your child's speech clinician or teacher. That way, everyone helping your child will be working as a team.

1. Give your child many opportunities to make sounds, words, and combinations of words.

Don't say a word and give your child only one chance to repeat it. Say the word and let the child say it many times. This is important because your child does not have a problem hearing the sounds, but rather knowing how to say them. Repetition allows the child's muscles to learn the habit of making the word.

2. Show your child how you say a sound, word, or phrase.

It may be helpful for your child to see you make the word, feel the airflow at the mouth, and feel the vibration at your throat. Tell your child, "Listen and watch me." Encourage your child to feel your mouth if it helps. Tell your child what you are doing to make the sound. For example, "I put my lips together to make this sound" or "Feel how the air bursts out of my mouth:" A mirror might also be helpful to show both your mouth and your child's. Draw your child's attention to movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw.

3. Practice sounds and words in combination.

It is important to work with combinations rather than with isolated sounds. Ask your speech clinician whether to work on a simple sound like "ga" a sequence of sounds like "gaga;" or words and phrases like "got" or "I got it." Practice over and over with the same sound combinations. Work on combinations the speech clinician is also working on. Your child will benefit from your combined efforts.

4. Help your child learn to use familiar words and phrases.

Words that are used and practiced often are more likely to be more clearly spoken. "I want" and "I see" are phrases children use all the time. Encourage your child to learn these common phrases. They will come in handy when the child is having difficulty. You can help by saying "You want ?" Let the child repeat and, it is hoped, add the desired word.

5. Keep practice sessions short. Limit the number of practice items.

Work for short periods of time (three to five minutes) on one task. Then take a break. It is better to work with your child many times than to have one long lesson. It is also better to limit the number of things you work on. Use the same sound combinations over and over. Don't practice many different sound combinations at one sitting.

6. Use written words for practice.

If your child can read, you can use printed words or phrases for visual help. Seeing the sounds or words combined on the printed page may help your child combine the sounds in speech.

7. Use rhythm, music, or signing to help your child.

When your child is saying simple sounds or words, have the child beat out the rhythm while practicing. Your child can squeeze a ball, tap a hand, or swing an arm for every sound. If your child is practicing phrases or sentences, sing simple songs or say nursery rhymes together. For some children, using sign language while talking helps them to be understood.

Ask your speech clinician which of these home activities will help your child most. With teamwork and practice, you can help your child to be better understood.

Vocabulary

Apraxia- Difficulty in coordinating the muscles used in speech.

Coordination-Several muscles or muscle groups working together harmoniously to perform movements.

Developmental apraxia Apraxia in children.

Sign language-Communication using gestures rather than spoken words.

Speech and language clinician -A person who is qualified to diagnose and treat speech, language, and voice disorders.

For more information, write to:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

10801 Rockville Pike

Rockville, MD 20852

(301) 897-5700

National Easter Seal Society

2023 West Ogden Avenue

Chicago, IL 60612

(312) 243-8400