As a licensed practitioner who works with kids, I’ve seen firsthand how apraxia can impact a child’s ability to communicate and navigate the world around them. Apraxia is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to plan and execute movements, despite having the desire and physical ability to do so. It’s not just a speech disorder, but can also affect a child’s ability to use their limbs and perform daily tasks. In this article, I’ll break down the different types of apraxia and how they can manifest in kids with thinking and learning differences.
Table of Contents
1. Oral Apraxia
Oral apraxia affects a child’s ability to perform movements with their mouth, tongue, and lips. This can make it difficult for them to eat, drink, and even make facial expressions. Kids with oral apraxia may struggle with tasks like blowing bubbles, licking their lips, or even smiling on command.
Studies have found that a significant percentage of children with apraxia of speech also have oral apraxia. This highlights the importance of addressing oral motor skills in addition to speech therapy for kids with apraxia.
Read more: Apraxia Test for Kids
2. Speech Apraxia
Also known as childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), this type of apraxia specifically affects a child’s ability to plan and execute the movements needed for speech. Kids with speech apraxia may have difficulty producing certain sounds, syllables, or words, even though their muscles are physically capable of doing so.
Speech apraxia can be particularly frustrating for kids, as they often know what they want to say but struggle to get the words out. It’s heartbreaking to see a child become upset when they can’t express themselves, but with consistent speech therapy and support, progress can be made.
3. Limb-Kinetic Apraxia
Limb-kinetic apraxia affects a child’s ability to perform fine motor movements with their arms, hands, and fingers. This can make tasks like writing, buttoning a shirt, or using utensils incredibly challenging. Kids with limb-kinetic apraxia may appear clumsy or uncoordinated, even though they have the physical strength and range of motion to perform the tasks.
Task | Difficulty Level for Kids with Limb-Kinetic Apraxia |
---|---|
Tying shoelaces | High |
Using scissors | Moderate to High |
Buttoning a shirt | Moderate |
4. Ideomotor Apraxia
Ideomotor apraxia affects a child’s ability to perform learned, skilled movements on command. This can include things like waving goodbye, saluting, or even mimicking simple gestures. Kids with ideomotor apraxia may be able to perform these movements spontaneously, but struggle when asked to do them on cue.
It’s not uncommon for a child with ideomotor apraxia to be able to perform a movement naturally, like dancing, but then struggle when asked to copy a specific gesture in a game or activity. This is a hallmark of how apraxia can impact a child’s ability to execute movements on demand.
Read more: Early Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Ways to Help Your Child
5. Ideational Apraxia
Ideational apraxia affects a child’s ability to plan and execute a sequence of movements needed to complete a task. This can make daily routines like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or packing a backpack incredibly challenging. Kids with ideational apraxia may know the individual steps needed to complete a task, but struggle to put them in the correct order or execute them efficiently.
One strategy that can help kids with ideational apraxia is to break tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, instead of giving a general instruction like “get ready for school,” you might provide a step-by-step guide: “First, put on your clothes. Next, brush your teeth. Then, pack your backpack.” Visual schedules and checklists can also be helpful tools for breaking down complex tasks.
6. Constructional Apraxia
Constructional apraxia affects a child’s ability to construct, build, or draw objects. This can make tasks like assembling puzzles, building with blocks, or even drawing simple shapes challenging. Kids with constructional apraxia may have difficulty visualizing how parts fit together to create a whole.
Research has shown that children with constructional apraxia often perform significantly worse on block design tasks compared to typically developing children. This highlights the importance of incorporating visual-spatial activities and supports into therapy for kids with constructional apraxia.
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Apraxia is a complex disorder that can manifest in many different ways. As a practitioner who works with neurodivergent kids, it’s important to understand the various types of apraxia and how they can impact a child’s ability to communicate, learn, and perform daily tasks. By breaking down skills into smaller steps, providing visual supports, and offering consistent practice and feedback, we can help kids with apraxia build the skills they need to thrive.
Resources:
FAQs about Types of Apraxia
What is oral apraxia?
Oral apraxia is a motor speech disorder where the brain struggles to coordinate the movements of the mouth needed for speech. This can make it difficult for kids to perform simple oral tasks like sticking out their tongue or puckering their lips.
How does speech apraxia differ from other speech disorders?
Speech apraxia, or childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), specifically affects the brain's ability to plan and sequence speech movements, resulting in inconsistent speech errors. Unlike other speech disorders, it’s not due to muscle weakness or paralysis but a disconnect in the brain’s messaging system.
What are the main characteristics of limb-kinetic apraxia?
Limb-kinetic apraxia involves difficulty with fine motor skills, impacting tasks like buttoning a shirt or tying shoelaces. It’s a problem with the precision of movements, not muscle strength.
Can ideomotor apraxia affect daily activities?
Yes, ideomotor apraxia can make it challenging to perform actions on command, such as waving goodbye or brushing teeth. This disconnect between intention and execution can complicate everyday tasks.
How is constructional apraxia diagnosed?
Constructional apraxia is diagnosed through tests that assess a child’s ability to draw, build, or understand spatial relationships. Difficulties in tasks like assembling puzzles or copying shapes often indicate this type of apraxia.
This post was originally published on October 9, 2023. It was updated on May 19, 2024.
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