Apraxia of speech: how speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat it, per NIDCD
NIDCD says speech-language pathologists “play a key role in diagnosing and treating” apraxia of speech (AOS), that children with AOS “will not outgrow the problem on their own,” and that “Frequent, intensive, one-on-one speech-language therapy sessions are needed for both children and adults with AOS.” This page quotes NIDCD only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical, legal, or billing advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Source read on November 12, 2026: NIDCD’s Apraxia of Speech page (last updated October 31, 2017). It is an older page; check NIDCD for newer information.
What AOS is
NIDCD states: “Someone with AOS has trouble saying what he or she wants to say correctly and consistently.” And: “The brain knows what it wants to say, but cannot properly plan and sequence the required speech sound movements.” It adds: “AOS is not caused by weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles (the muscles of the jaw, tongue, or lips).”
NIDCD describes two types. Acquired AOS “may result from a stroke, head injury, tumor, or other illness affecting the brain.” Childhood AOS “is present from birth.” NIDCD adds: “Childhood AOS is not the same as developmental delays in speech, in which a child follows the typical path of speech development but does so more slowly than is typical.”
Diagnosis
NIDCD states: “Because there is no single symptom or test that can be used to diagnose AOS, the person making the diagnosis generally looks for the presence of several of a group of symptoms, including those described earlier.” And: “To diagnose childhood AOS, parents and professionals may need to observe a child’s speech over a period of time.”
Treatment
NIDCD states: “Therefore, speech-language therapy is necessary for children with AOS as well as for people with acquired AOS who do not spontaneously recover all of their speech abilities.” And: “Speech-language pathologists use different approaches to treat AOS, and no single approach has been proven to be the most effective.”
On intensity: “(The repetitive exercises and personal attention needed to improve AOS are difficult to deliver in group therapy.) Children with severe AOS may need intensive speech-language therapy for years, in parallel with normal schooling, to obtain adequate speech abilities.”
On other ways to communicate, NIDCD lists sign language, a notebook with pictures or words, or “an electronic communication device—such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer—that can be used to write or produce speech.” More is on AAC.
What this page does not do
It names no therapy programs or devices by brand. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, or product. Scope of practice for each profession is set by state law; check your state board.