Acquired Apraxia of Speech: Features, Accounts, and Treatment

Abstract

The features of apraxia of speech (AOS) are presented with regard to both traditional and contemporary descriptions of the disorder. Models of speech processing, including the neurological bases for apraxia of speech, are discussed. Recent findings concerning subcortical contributions to apraxia of speech and the role of the insula are presented. The key features to differentially diagnose AOS from related speech syndromes are identified. Treatment implications derived from motor accounts of AOS are presented along with a summary of current approaches designed to treat the various subcomponents of the disorder. Finally, guidelines are provided for treating the AOS patient with coexisting aphasia.

Keywords:

• apraxia
• apraxia/di [diagnosis]
• apraxia/th [therapy]
• neuromuscular control
• speech disorders
• speech therapy