Apraxia resulting from stroke can arrive in several forms and in many cases-accompanies aphasia--a language disorder. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke suggest that apraxia can affect the mouth, limbs, movements, speech, cognitive processes and the eyes which will require a three-pronged approach to treatment: physical, speech and occupational therapies.
Physical Therapy
Allina Patient Education suggests that physical therapies can assist apraxia via understanding the side of the brain affected as well as the body parts involved. This helps the care team design a program which meets individual needs and apply the best methods for that type of stroke. For example, when an individual has a stroke to the left side of the brain, speech and comprehensible language is negatively affected. For left-handed individuals, the opposite is true. Working with apraxia and physical exercise, this also works on aphasia--another common problem related to clarity in speaking, listening, reading, writing, numbers, speech comprehension and cognitive thought processes.
Speech Therapy
Speech-Language Pathologists approach apraxia from several angles--thus designing therapy to meet the specific needs of the individual. Speech therapy generally includes daily practice pronouncing words broken down into simpler syllables and drills using vocal utterances leading to vowel and consonant sounds. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, individuals with an acquired case of apraxia may not completely recover and may actually require new methods of communication: sign language, notebooks, picture books or electronic reading and writing programs for expressing their needs.
Occupational Therapy
The Stroke Association defines occupational therapy as the relearning of daily tasks and other activities in order to perform basic living skills. Occupational therapists can assist with washing, dressing, eating, hobbies, shopping, cooking and even learn new skills to overcome memory or concentration obstacles on the job. Tasks get progressively more challenging until daily living skills are mastered and the individual has become independent to care for their own needs and carry out daily activities safely.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: "What is Apraxia?"; 2010
- Allina Patient Education: "Understanding Stroke: Information about Stroke and Recovery, Third ed"; Feb 2006
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: "Apraxia of Speech: How is it Treated?"; Apr 2008
- The Stroke Association:"Occupational Therapy"; 2010
- Stroke Support Groups
