Best Practices for Transitioning to Speech Teletherapy

Take Our Apraxia of Speech Course

In our course on acquired apraxia of speech, Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) will learn about different approaches to treating apraxia. We’ll explore key aspects, including:

- using discriminating diagnostic tasks to determine an entry point for treatment of adult acquired apraxia of speech
- demonstrating the ability to adapt the principles of motor learning to individualized treatment plans
- describe restorative and compensatory therapeutic approaches to treatment

Lingraphica’s course, “Acquired Apraxia of Speech: Basics and Beyond,” is presented by Darlene Williamson, Founder and Executive Director of the Stroke Comeback Center and President of the National Aphasia Association. In this course, we will review and define the characteristics of apraxia. We will discuss differential diagnosis of apraxia, as well as explore probes and other key diagnostic tasks. We will then discuss the interpretation of diagnostic tasks as an entry point for treatment.

This course also provides SLPs with the definitions of the principles of motor learning, including conditions of practice and feedback variables. We encourage flexibility in treatment, and provide evidence that supports the benefits of a flexible treatment approach.

Ultimately, the core treatment feature in apraxia of speech is purposeful planning of movement. Focus should be placed on facilitating purposeful planning and successful execution of motor movements and speech/communication. This course will provide SLPs with specific ideas that have shown to be successful in treatment, with a focus on broadening the scope of treatment rather than focusing on one or two select activities.

Some therapeutic approaches we’ll discuss include phonetic placement, key words, and Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT). We’ll also discuss the benefits of building better motor memory and how to encourage development in that area. Finally, we’ll delve into Video Assisted Speech Technology (VAST™) and the evidence behind its effectiveness. We’ll explore VAST’s role in a combined approach to treatment, as well as discuss who makes a good candidate for VAST™.