By Pam Marshalla
Q: Can a child have both dysarthria and apraxia? From my perspective, yes. I see apraxia as a problem in the perception of speech movements. This is an input problem. I see dysarthria as a problem in the control (execution) of movement. This is an output problem. I believe that children can have one, or the other, or both. Also see: Differentiating Between Apraxia and Dysarthria (summary) and Apraxia and Dysarthria and Real Oral Motor Therapy (detail)
By Pam Marshalla
Q: Can phonemes like R and S be taught to adults? I have received an unusual number of questions recently about the effectiveness of articulation therapy with adults. Where is this notion that articulation therapy cannot be done with adults coming from? Articulation therapy is EASIER with adults because they can understand what you are talking about and they usually are highly motivated to change. The only time this is not the case is when the adult client has a significant…
By Pam Marshalla
Q: My client keeps lifting the tip of his tongue when I want him to lift the back for K and G. How can I get him to stop doing this? The simplest way is to use an inhibition technique. Hold down the tip with a tongue depressor and tell him to lift the back instead. I also might use some tactile stimulation in the form of gentle brushing to help him understand the difference between the back of the…
By Pam Marshalla
Q: Can you help me deal with a situation? I work in the schools. A private SLP accused me in a meeting with parents recently of not using the correct “motor planning methods” with a mutual apraxic child. Do you know what she is talking about? She really embarrassed me. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I regret the competitiveness that some therapists have, and absolutely detest the way some private therapists treat SLPs in the schools. You should not have had to experience that….
