Apraxia Clinic

The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program

The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program is a structured program specifically designed to improve speech intelligibility for children with Apraxia of Speech and Developmental Phonological Disorders.

The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program uses multisensory strategies that incorporate visual, auditory, proprioceptive, and tactile input in order to teach the child the correct movement sequences for speech. This multisensory approach addresses various levels of speech motor control, in particular: motor preparation and execution processes.

A child who has Apraxia of Speech will not simply grow out of it. The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program provides a plan in which a series of steps and phases are outlined and carried out with goals to be accomplished by the child. Implementation of specific techniques construct well defined and functioning neurological pathways that are the roadmap for proper motor planning, articulatory sequencing, and timed execution of speech patterns for intelligible speech.

Verbal Apraxia is considered a neurological disorder. In order to improve the development and networking of the neuro-pathways responsible for motor speech planning, therapy is recommended on a daily basis. Daily in-clinic therapy sessions are likely not to be realistic for most families. The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program is designed to incorporate home-based intervention strategies as much as possible, so families do not have to drive to therapy every day, but daily treatment protocols can still be implemented under the guidance of their Speech-Language Pathologist. The parent is guided through the program to facilitate the learning and implementation of stimulation techniques for use within the home. Empowering the parent to be an active participant in home programming is a critical piece to a child's overall success. Progress tracking sheets provided weekly from the practitioner allow the parent to know exactly where their child stands in the program. A child's frequency and intensity of therapy can be reduced over time, as improvements are maintained and generalized.

The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program also provides early intervention for potential reading and spelling challenges that may occur in children with Apraxia of Speech and Phonological Disorders. Specific phases of the The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program are designed to promote early literacy development. Motor speech planning is the primary function of this comprehensive program, however; it is not a reading and spelling program.

Children will move through the various Speech-EZ® phases at their own pace. Because Apraxia of Speech can range in severity, and may or may not present with other cognitive impairments or neurological issues, there is no set duration in which a child is expected to complete the program.

Each phase of The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program provides the child with numerous repetitions and response opportunities for targeted phonemes and speech pattern sequences. Producing dozens and dozens of target speech positions and combinations wires the brain for accurate articulation.

Phase 1: Non-verbal oral motor movement and sequencing
Phase 2: Speech Production Isolated Consonants, Pure Vowels and Diphthongs, Introduction to The Speech-EZ® Hand Cues, Sound-to-Symbol Recognition
Phase 3: CV/VC, non-sense CVC/VCV, CC, CCV/VCC
Phase 4: Monosyllabic non-sense words with 3, 4, and 5 phoneme sequences. Polysyllabic non-sense words.
Phase 5: Monosyllabic and Polysyllabic real words
Phase 6: Generalization: phrases, sentences, continuous speech, and independent conversational speech

Note: A child does not have to master a particular phase in its entirety in order to advance to the next phase. This system is designed to set the child up for success and keep them progressing through the program when specific goals are met. The child will be working within and between phases. For example, if the child has mastered specific isolated consonants: p/b, t/d, m/n, k but has not mastered g, the g phoneme will not hold back advancement to the next phase for the other mastered phonemes.

The following skills are incorporated into Phases 2-5 if age appropriate, cognitively appropriate, or at the discretion of the practitioner.

Integration of oral-motor and auditory processing skills

  • Auditory Discrimination
  • Auditory Analysis
  • Auditory Synthesis
  • Auditory Phoneme Targeting
  • Temporal Processing

The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program was developed by Lynn Carahaly, M.A., CCC-SLP, who specializes in children with Apraxia of Speech and Auditory Processing Disorders. For information on how to get your child started with The Speech-EZ® Apraxia Program or if you are interested in becoming a certified practitioner, please contact Foundations Developmental House today.