Speaking Out for Apraxia Awareness Month During Better Hearing and Speech Month

In honor of Better Hearing and Speech Month, which garners awareness for communication disorders, Health Network One would like to recognize that May is Apraxia Awareness Month. We want to take this opportunity to shed light on a little-known condition that affects speech and communication and recognize the work of the amazing speech-language pathologists who play a major role in diagnosing and treating AOS.

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Understanding Apraxia of Speech (AOS)

Apraxia of speech (AOS) is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech. People with AOS know what they want to say but have difficulty executing the correct sequence of movements to produce clear speech. It's important to recognize the signs of AOS early on so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.

The Challenges of Diagnosing AOS

"Diagnosis of Childhood Apraxia of Speech can be especially tricky because it's not done using any single test or observation," said Chief Clinical Officer for Health Network One, Dr. Edward Cabrera, “Our therapists have to recognize a pattern of problems, which can be difficult to diagnose, especially when a child speaks very little or is having trouble interacting with the therapist."

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reports that AOS is often diagnosed in children who are just beginning to speak but can also affect adults. The condition can occur independently or in conjunction with other speech or language disorders.

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Recognizing the Symptoms of AOS

Symptoms can include:

·?????Difficulty with producing speech sounds

·?????Incorrect intonation

·?????Struggles with rhythm and timing

Because of the complexity of the disorder, diagnosis can be difficult, and often can require a team of specialists to make an accurate diagnosis.

"Even if the diagnosis is initially uncertain, it's so important to identify those children with Apraxia of Speech from other speech disorders because it's treated completely differently," said Dr. Cabrera.

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Treating AOS with Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is the most common treatment for AOS and can be highly effective. A skilled speech-language pathologist can work with patients to improve their speech production by breaking down the individual components of speech and practicing them in isolation before putting them together in sentences and conversations. In some cases, assistive technology can also be helpful, such as computer programs that provide visual feedback or apps that help with articulation practice.

Embracing Inclusion and Awareness of Communication Disabilities

As we recognize Apraxia Awareness Month, it's important to remember that AOS is not a lack of intelligence or effort on the speaker's part. People with AOS are just as smart and capable as anyone else, but they may need extra support and patience as they work to improve their communication skills. By spreading awareness and understanding, we can help to create a more inclusive society that welcomes everyone, regardless of their communication abilities.