Apraxia Assessment and Diagnosis Quiz

Study Notes

Apraxia Specific Assessment Procedures

Assess motor planning capabilities through imitation and commands in speech and nonspeech tasks.
Measure DDK (Diadochokinetic) rates using standardized tests for systematic evaluation.
Indicators of Apraxia include:
- Variable vowel and diphthong errors.
- Nasality and NAE (Nasal Air Emission) without CLAP (Clean Auditory Perception), indicating a high likelihood of AOS (Apraxia of Speech).
- Prosodic problems affecting speech rhythm and intonation.
- Increased errors in longer utterances compared to single words.
- Observing groping behaviors during speech attempts.

Articulation vs. Phonological Disorder Differential Diagnosis

Production of multiple phonemes using the same sound (e.g., /t/ for /s/ or /ʃ/) signals phonological disorder due to lack of phonological awareness.
Preservation of phonemic contrast across word positions (prevocalic, intervocalic, postvocalic) typically indicates an articulation disorder.
Consistent but generalized learning issues suggest an articulation disorder.
Emerging or easy context sounds may show good stimulability; articulation techniques are preferred over phonological techniques for isolated sound production.

Visual Detection Methods

Mirror Test: Used solely for NAE assessment; placing a dental mirror under the nose can show clouding, indicating NAE. Test limitations include timing and normal respiration affecting results.
Air Paddle: Similar to the mirror test but uses flat paper; applicable only for voiceless, pressure-sensitive consonants. Less sensitive, effective mainly with severe NAE.

Tactile Detection Techniques

Place fingers on the nasal area during speech production; vibrations during oral sounds hint at hypernasality.
Not suitable for assessing NAE.

Nasal Cul De Sac Test

Compare sound production with an unoccluded nose and then occluded. Changes indicate potential nasal issues.
For hypernasality, vowels should show a difference; no change suggests normal VP (velopharyngeal) movement.
For NAE, evaluate pressure-sensitive sounds similarly.
Listening tube/Stethoscope/Oronasal listener: Position the device under the nose or on the nasal area for feedback about NAE and hypernasality.
Straw Method: Aids in differentiating between NAE and hypernasality; audible airflow denotes NAE, while silence suggests hypernasality.

Speech Production Analysis

Speech Sampling: Represents daily speech use through various stimuli like pictures, word lists, sentences, or conversation; assess phonemes in all positions.
Phonetic Inventory: Identify which phonemes the patient can produce correctly in different positions.
Nature of Errors: Use SODA (Substitution, Omission, Distortion, Addition) to analyze error types and determine intervention methods.
Elicitation Methods: Include reading materials like the Grandfather Passage or Rainbow Passage, conversations, and picture stimuli.
Percentage of Correct Consonants (PCC): Measures severity of articulation errors.
- Mild (85%-100%)
- Mild/Moderate (65%-85%)
- Moderate/Severe (50%-65%)

Description

Test your knowledge on specific assessment procedures for apraxia, including motor planning capabilities and diadochokinetic rates. This quiz also examines the differential diagnosis between articulation disorders and phonological disorders, helping clarify common indicators and symptoms.