What is apraxia of speech?

Apraxia of speech is primarily characterized as a motor speech disorder that impacts the ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for speech production. Individuals with this condition know what they want to say, but struggle with the motor planning aspects involved in articulating those sounds accurately. This may result in inconsistent speech patterns, difficulties with sound sequencing, and challenges in stimulating the production of speech, despite having intact language abilities and comprehension.

The focus on motor speech planning distinguishes apraxia from other speech and language disorders. Unlike language disorders, which may involve difficulty with understanding or producing language content, apraxia specifically pertains to the execution of speech movements. This specificity further clarifies its classification as a motor speech disorder rather than a cognitive issue, as apraxia does not necessarily reflect a lack of knowledge about language, but rather a difficulty in executing the actions to produce spoken language.

Additionally, while developmental delays in motor skills might be a concern in some individuals, they are not the defining characteristic of apraxia of speech, which is expressed distinctly through challenges in the formulation of speech rather than a broader delay in motor function.