Word Repetition in Language Based Therapy versus Apraxia Therapy
Aug 07, 2022Word repetition is important for acquiring new motor plans.
How does the learning differ for children with a language based disorder versus a child with a motor speech disorder?
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, doesn't benefit in the same manner. While they can understand and categorize words through routines, merely hearing the word doesn't assist in developing the motor plan. For these children, practicing speech movements and combining them accurately to form words is crucial. Utilizing multi-sensory cues and principles of motor learning is essential for children with speech motor disorders to practice sound and word production effectively.
Here is a link to a handout with the principles of motor learning.
Here is a link to a post from @speechproductionlabssyr that will provide more information about the principles of motor learning.
Here is a link to a research article explaining principles of motor learning.
An important part of apraxia therapy is the careful selection of the words that you practice with the child. You can receive a free target selection handout for children with CAS by clicking here.
It is important to identify children who have childhood apraxia of speech or suspected childhood apraxia of speech, so that the child can receive effective treatment. There is no downside to treating a child with principles of motor learning.
Click here for more information about my mini course on suspected childhood apraxia of speech.
Click here to view an instagram LIVE that I did with Suzanne from @playing speech where we discussed suspected apraxia in the early intervention population.
Free Target Selection Handout for CAS
Learn how to choose target words for minimally verbal children, understand
multisensory cueing, and other do's and don'ts in apraxia therapy.
