When it comes to treatment for childhood apraxia of speech, our Fort Myers speech therapists employ treatments that are both evidence-based but also fun and tailored to the individual child.

Apraxia of speech is a relatively uncommon speech disorder, but one our dedicated SWFL speech therapy team is especially qualified to treat, having extensive experience in helping kids with this condition successfully master key skills.

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Not all kids with this condition are going to have the same signs and symptoms include:

• Won’t say the same words the exact same way each time.
• Stresses the incorrect word in a sentence or syllable in a word.
• Changes or distorts certain sounds.
• Speaks shorter words with greater clarity than longer words.

Kids with apraxia of speech might also have a tough time with fine motor skills, reading, writing, and spelling.

Treatment Methods for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

There are several speech therapy treatment methods used to treat apraxia of speech in children.

Among the treatment methods recommended by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for childhood apraxia of speech:

• Articulation Therapy: This therapy focuses on teaching the child to produce speech sounds correctly by breaking down speech sounds into smaller units and practicing them individually. The therapist will also work on improving the child’s ability to coordinate movements for speech.
• Sensory-Motor Approach: This approach uses sensory-motor techniques to help the child develop the oral-motor skills needed for speech. The therapist may use activities such as blowing bubbles, blowing pinwheels, or playing with play-doh to help the child improve their oral-motor skills.
• Prosody Therapy: This therapy focuses on improving the rhythm and melody of speech, which is particularly important for children with apraxia of speech. The therapist will help the child develop a natural-sounding speech pattern by working on stress and intonation patterns.
• Cueing and Assistance Techniques: This approach involves using cues, such as gesturing or pointing, to help the child initiate speech. The therapist may also use physical assistance, such as holding the child’s jaw or lips, to help the child produce speech sounds correctly.

It’s important to note that each child with apraxia of speech is unique. Every treatment plan will be tailored to their specific needs. Treatment for apraxia of speech may take several months or even years, and progress can be slow. That said, with consistent and dedicated therapy, children with apraxia of speech can make significant improvements in their speech.

In conclusion, apraxia of speech is a complex disorder that requires a multi-faceted approach to treatment. Articulation therapy, sensory-motor approach, prosody therapy, cueing and assistance techniques, and speech-language pathology treatment are all effective methods for treating apraxia of speech in children.

Working with a dedicated SWFL speech therapy team is essential to ensure a child with this condition receives the best possible treatment and support. With consistent and dedicated therapy, children with apraxia of speech can make significant improvements in their speech, which will help them to communicate effectively and be more confident in their daily lives.

FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.

Additional Resources:

Why Act Early if You’re Concerned about Development? U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

More Blog Entries:

The Best Age for Fort Myers Speech Therapy? Mind the Milestones., Nov. 3, 2022, Fort Myers Speech Therapy Blog