Word Repetition in Language Based Therapy versus Apraxia Therapy

A child experiencing a developmental language delay can enhance their learning by hearing words repeated during daily activities.

Repetition by parents or clinicians aids in understanding the word's meaning, categorization, accurate sound production, and communication. They acquire new words through various methods like books, play, and everyday routines.

In contrast, a child with a speech motor disorder, such as childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), doesn't benefit in the same way.

While they can understand and categorize words through routines, merely hearing the word doesn't assist in developing the motor plan.

For children with motor speech issues, it's crucial to practice speech movements and properly combine them in order to accurately produce the right sounds.

How can SLPs help children practice word repetition? 

Whether a child has a CAS diagnosis, suspected CAS, or simply isn't making progress in traditional language based therapy, SLPs can utilize multisensory cueing and principles of motor learning to help a client effectively practice sound and word production. 

Multisensory cueing involves visual, auditory-verbal, and tactile cues.

This can look like the child watching you correctly produce the movement and moving along with you, giving the child specific instructions on the movements they need to perform, or physically guiding the child through the movements. 

Principles of Motor Learning refers to how we structure the practice of the target words in apraxia therapy. 

All effective motor speech therapy should follow the Principles of Motor Learning. There is no downside to treating a client with the Principles of Motor Learning, even if they do not have a confirmed CAS diagnosis. 

Which words should a child repeat during apraxia therapy? 

Choosing the right target words is one of the most important elements of motor based therapy. 

Intentional "power words" are words that are meaningful to the child and keep them engaged in practice. 

Because motor based therapy requires a lot of repetition, it's important to choose target words that appeal to the child as they practice them again and again. 

Target words should include sounds the child already has in their repertoire. You can help them accurately repeat the movements and practice producing the correct sounds by using multisensory cueing and the Principles of Motor Learning as mentioned above.