How Can I Build Rapport in Apraxia Therapy?

 Rapport, the trust and connection you build between you as the SLP and the client (and their family!), is an extremely important part of apraxia therapy. 

But it doesn't have to be overwhelming or complicated. 

In this post, I'll share more about why rapport matters, how you can create a stronger connection with your clients, and what you can do when a young child is struggling during a session. 

Why does rapport matter in apraxia therapy? 

Therapists often ask how I achieve a high number of repetitions in apraxia therapy.

A strong rapport with the child is key.

In fact, I consider rapport essential in apraxia therapy, so much so that it's included as a prerequisite for effective treatment in my comprehensive apraxia therapy course.

Many children referred to us for apraxia therapy have previously undergone speech therapy without significant progress.

This isn’t a reflection on the previous therapist. The reality is that children start with language-based speech therapy around age 2 or 3, and it may take time to recognize that the child has childhood apraxia of speech. 

By the time they begin motor-based speech therapy, they may feel frustrated and have low self-confidence.

Investing time in building rapport and trust is critical to setting up successful therapy. When the child trusts you, they feel supported and are more willing to make the effort needed to produce sounds accurately.

How can I build rapport with a client during speech therapy?  

There are many practical ways to build rapport with new or existing clients. 

These are the strategies I use in my own practice and teach other SLPs: 

• Give the child choices of toys and activities.  This doesn’t mean the session should lack structure. I take out a few selected toys from my closet and let the child choose from them. Offering a choice gives the child a sense of control—something everyone appreciates. Practicing target words within a preferred activity increases engagement and supports more effective learning.
• Choose your target words carefully so the child can be successful and build their confidence. 
  • Power words.  Meaningful words will keep the child motivated. 
  • At the beginning, it is important to keep the target word list small so that the child can learn to produce some functional words quickly. 
  • Choose words with sounds that the child already has in their repertoire.
  • Provide cueing that helps the child produce the word accurately. 

For more rapport-building ideas and techniques, click here to download a free, helpful handout. 

What to do when a child struggles during apraxia therapy

Remember, maintaining rapport is an ongoing process.

As the child's skills develop, it’s important to introduce new words and syllable shapes. However, this can also bring new challenges for the child.

What can you do if a particular word proves difficult?

First, acknowledge the child’s effort and recognize that the task is challenging.

Then, reassure them that you’re there to help them succeed. Sometimes, it’s okay to set that word aside for the session and focus on words the child is more comfortable with.

They may be having a difficult day or just be tired. This is completely normal and to be extpected.

Pushing a client, especially a young child, to do more than they can in the moment will set you both up for failure. 

Therapy is a marathon, not a sprint.  So take the time to build that relationship and to nurture it along the way.

Need help building rapport and connecting with your therapy clients? 

If you struggle to maintain your client's attention during apraxia therapy or are frustrated with the limited number of practice trials that you elicit during your session, I can help!

I created a mini course that specifically addresses these issues. 

Connection and Cooperation in Apraxia Therapy  provides you with many strategies and tools to help you make the most of your therapy time and maximize the number of trials you elicit during each session.

No more chasing your client around, trying to get a few more trials in! This mini course makes connection and cooperation easier and more effective, so you and your clients get less frustrated and make more progress.