Treatment approaches for developmental apraxia of speech.

The purpose of this article has been to present a theoretical construct that would enhance our understanding of the basis of the disorder apraxia of speech, whether it be developmental or acquired. From a theoretical explanation a conceptual framework was developed to guide the selection of appropriate treatment strategies. DAS, like acquired apraxia of speech, is conceived here as a sensorimotor impairment. The sensorimotor impairment is based on reduced or aberrant reafference. Thus, tactile or kinesthetic methods of treatment, as well as treatment techniques that may facilitate the processing of peripheral sensation (such as slowed speech), have been proposed as being the most facilitative. The hypotheses proposed herein require extensive investigation. Nonetheless, according to a number of clinical reports, methods that highlight movement sequences and methods that heighten the melodic line and slow rate are the ones that have gained the greatest favor in the treatment of children with DAS and adults with acquired apraxia of speech.