Speech Dyspraxia (also known as apraxia of speech) is caused by damage to the part of the brain that co-ordinates movement. Messages sent from the brain that tell our muscles how to move, get jumbled up. Dyspraxia appears as groping, un-coordinated movements. Sometimes the target sound may be achieved and sometimes it is not. Speech can sound like nonsense. Dyspraxia is a motor programming disorder. Cognition, building words and thoughts, sentences, muscle strength, range and speed are intact. Messages sent from the brain to tell the speech muscles how to move to say the words get jumbled up. Dyspraxia does not affect intelligence.

To help manage speech dyspraxia:

  • Take plenty of time
  • Try and stay relaxed
  • Use gesture, facial expression, body language to support verbal communication
  • Try writing or drawing
  • Aim for relaxed social communication, words will come easier in these contexts
  • Avoid feelings of frustration, upset or anger. These are normal reactions but they have a negative impact on successful speech. Try and relax and keep calm. If necessary, stop and come back to the conversation later.

The Speech and Language service will work with you to:

  • Assess your speech skills
  • Provide you with
  • Strategies to manage the dyspraxia
  • Activities to reduce impairment
  • Support and advice