Treatment Of Childhood Apraxia Research Articles

Clinical management of childhood apraxia of speech: A survey of speech-language pathologists in Australia and New Zealand

Purpose: A number of studies have been published that have investigated the practices of speech-language pathologists in relation to speech sound disorder intervention; however, specific research about the treatment of childhood apraxia of speech is not available. This study aimed to describe the treatment approaches being used by speech-language pathologists, explore their perspectives of evidence-based practice and identify perceived barriers to implementing empirical research recommendations.Method: An online survey was distributed to speech-language pathologists in Australia and New Zealand. In total, 109 valid surveys were completed by participants who answered a series of multiple choice, yes/no, short answer and Likert-scaled questions.Result: Speech-language pathologists demonstrated a strong preference for eclectic interventions to treat childhood apraxia of speech. When asked to identify the primary treatment approach they used (whether as a stand-alone; or as the primary approach within an eclectic intervention), the most frequently used intervention was the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme. Many speech-language pathologists reported valuing empirical research evidence, despite identifying a range of barriers that impact their ability to implement evidence-based practice in childhood apraxia of speech treatment.Conclusion: Although many speech-language pathologists use the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme as their primary intervention, most clinicians use it as part of an eclectic/hybrid intervention. The effectiveness of eclectic interventions for childhood apraxia of speech has not been empirically evaluated.

ASSIST: Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

ASSIST: Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Parent experiences of variations in service delivery of Rapid Syllable Transition (ReST) treatment for childhood apraxia of speech

ABSTRACTPurpose: To understand parents’ perceptions of Rapid Syllable Transition (ReST) treatment and their experience of either telehealth or combined parent-clinician delivery of speech–language pathology. Method: Thematic analyses of semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 parents (5 telehealth, 5 parent-clinician) after their child completed 12 sessions of ReST treatment. Results: Three themes were unique to telehealth: “telehealth was a million times easier,” “technical problems weren’t deal breakers,” and “telehealth therapy has different boundaries.” Three themes were unique to parent-clinician delivery: “therapy is something to get over and done with,” “I wasn’t very good at doing therapy,” and “my child doesn’t like me as his therapist.” Both groups had themes related to the significance of childhood apraxia of speech, the importance of specialist treatment, and ReST being a “different way forward.” Conclusions: Speech–language pathologists should carefully consider the suitability of caregiver-provided ReST treatment, and increase telehealth delivery of ReST treatment.

Combined clinician-parent delivery of rapid syllable transition (ReST) treatment for childhood apraxia of speech

Purpose: Although speech-language pathologists use parent-delivered home-practice, little is known about the quality of this practice and its relation to treatment efficacy. This study reports both treatment outcomes and fidelity following combined clinician-parent delivery of Rapid Syllable Transition (ReST) treatment.Method: Five children aged 5:1–11:7 with childhood apraxia of speech received 12 treatment sessions; six clinic-based and six at home, using multiple baselines across participants design. We investigated the children’s acquisition of treated pseudo words, generalisation to untreated pseudo and real words, and maintenance of gains. We also assessed parent and clinician treatment fidelity and reliability of perceptual judgements.Result: Two children improved on all treated behaviours; two showed treatment effect on one of their two treated behaviours, and one child had no treatment effect. Only two children generalised to the majority of untreated items. Variable treatment fidelity was found across parents and aspects of treatment. Child outcome was likely influenced by multiple factors, including treatment fidelity, reliability of perceptual judgements and child factors.Conclusion: Combined clinician-parent delivery of ReST was less efficacious than previously reported clinician-only delivered ReST. Further investigation of the factors affecting outcome is recommended prior to clinical application of the combined model of service delivery.

183 - Treatment of Childhood Apraxia with Autologous Cord Blood Infusions

183 - Treatment of Childhood Apraxia with Autologous Cord Blood Infusions

Randomized variable practice appears to be effective in the acquisition and generalization of speech sounds in childhood apraxia of speech

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Skelton, S. L., & Hagopian, A. L. (2014). Using randomized variable practice in the treatment of childhood apraxia of speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 23, 599–611.Source of funding: No reported.

Is the amount of practice an important variable in the treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS): The importance of production frequency in therapy for childhood apraxia of speech

ed from: Edeal, D. M., & Gildersleeve-Neumann, C. E. (2011). The importance of production frequency in therapy for childhood apraxia of speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20, 95–110. Source of funding and disclosure of interest: No source of funding reported, and the original authors of this research did not report any conflicts of interest.

Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Description of Integral Stimulation and Motor Learning

Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Description of Integral Stimulation and Motor Learning