What is apraxia?
Apraxia (also sometimes called dyspraxia), is a speech disability that makes it hard for a person to say correctly what they want to. Apraxia is not caused by weak facial muscles, but the inability to make the facial muscles move the way the speaker wants them to. Apraxia can be “acquired” as the result of a stroke, head injury, or illness. Children most often have “developmental” apraxia. For these kids speech develops slower than normal. For some unknown reason developmental apraxia is much more common in boys than girls.

The most common symptom of apraxia is difficulty putting sounds and syllables together in the correct order to form words. Longer words are harder to say than shorter words. Children with apraxia tend to have delayed speech or may seem nonverbal. Usually these kids understand more language than what they are able to verbalize. Every child with apraxia is different, for some it is a mild speech delay for others it can keep them from any verbal communication

Treating Apraxia
Unfortunately, apraxia is a developmental delay that children will not grow out of. They must receive therapy with a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP). It’s best to have frequent and intensive one-on-one therapy designed for the individual child. Often the SLP will suggest exercises and activities for the child to do at home as well. This is important. Many people have been able to make significant improvement with therapy, however it takes a lot of work. In some cases verbal speech may never be acquired. For these individuals it’s important to find alternative forms of communication such as Sign Language, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or using augmentative communication (AAC).