Apraxia of speech
Apraxia of Speech
Apraxia of Speech (pronunciation: uh-PRAX-ee-uh of speech) is a type of speech disorder that affects an individual's ability to form the sounds needed for speech. This condition is also known as verbal apraxia or dyspraxia.
Etymology
The term "apraxia" comes from the Greek words "a-" (without) and "praxis" (action). In medical terminology, apraxia refers to the inability to perform purposeful movements, despite having the desire and physical ability to perform them. In the context of speech, apraxia refers to difficulties in the motor planning and programming of speech movements.
Definition
Apraxia of Speech is a neurological disorder characterized by the loss of ability to consistently and correctly position the tongue, lips, jaw, and other speech muscles to produce clear and comprehensible speech. This is not due to muscle weakness or paralysis but is caused by the brain's inability to send the correct signals to these muscles.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Apraxia of Speech can vary greatly between individuals but may include:
- Difficulty putting sounds and syllables together in the correct order to form words
- Slow speech rate
- Inconsistent speech errors
- Difficulty imitating speech, but more difficulty when speaking spontaneously
- Groping of the mouth to make sounds
Causes
Apraxia of Speech is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that are involved in speaking, and involves the signaling pathways between the brain and the muscles used for speech. This damage could be a result of a stroke, head injury, brain tumor, or neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
Treatment
Treatment for Apraxia of Speech usually involves speech therapy with a focus on improving the individual's speech motor control. Techniques may include exercises to improve muscle movement, and strategies to help with speech rhythm and rate.
Related Terms
- Dysarthria: A motor speech disorder resulting from neurological injury, characterized by poor articulation of phonemes.
- Aphasia: A condition that robs you of the ability to communicate.
- Speech-Language Pathology: The field of expertise practiced by a clinician known as a speech-language pathologist.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Apraxia of speech
- Wikipedia's article - Apraxia of speech
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