Acquired Apraxia of Speech

At Expressable, we’ve worked with many individuals and families navigating the challenges of acquired apraxia of speech. Our therapy programs are rooted in evidence-based techniques and tailored to each person’s unique communication goals—whether that’s saying a loved one’s name, expressing daily needs, or rejoining conversations with confidence.

Apraxia of speech, sometimes called verbal apraxia or AOS, is a motor speech disorder. It makes speaking difficult, even though a person knows exactly what they want to say. The issue lies in the brain’s ability to plan and coordinate the precise movements of the mouth needed for speech. As a result, the message from the brain doesn’t translate smoothly into spoken words.

In everyday speech, the brain sends signals to the lips, jaw, and tongue to produce sounds and form sentences. With apraxia, these signals are disrupted. A person may have the language and cognitive skills to speak, but their speech can sound slow, effortful, or disjointed. They may struggle to get words out clearly, and their speech may be difficult to understand.

There are different types of apraxia. Acquired apraxia of speech is caused by a brain injury or neurological condition, such as a stroke. This form of apraxia is most common in adults.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or supporting a loved one with apraxia, it’s normal to have questions: Can acquired apraxia be treated? What does speech therapy for apraxia involve? What progress can be expected? In this article, we explain Expressable’s clinical approach to evaluating and treating acquired apraxia of speech. You can also view our complete guide to acquired apraxia of speech to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and how loved ones can play a key role in the recovery journey.

1Why is speech therapy important for acquired apraxia of speech? 2How Expressable treats acquired apraxia of speech 3Practice communication strategies at home with the Expressable portal 4The benefits of online speech therapy for acquired apraxia of speech 5See what people with acquired apraxia of speech and their families say about our speech therapists 6Get matched with a speech therapist today

Why is speech therapy important for acquired apraxia of speech?

Acquired apraxia of speech can significantly impact daily life. When a person struggles to produce clear speech, even routine conversations can feel exhausting and frustrating. Social interactions may become limited, work performance can be affected, and staying engaged in hobbies or community activities may feel out of reach. These challenges often take a toll on a person’s confidence and sense of independence.

That’s why early, consistent speech therapy is so valuable. At Expressable, our personalized program for apraxia of speech is designed to:

• Improve quality of life by strengthening communication skills that support social connection, job participation, and everyday independence

• Use evidence-based techniques grounded in the latest research to help you speak more clearly and express your thoughts, wants, needs, and emotions

• Educate and empower loved ones and caregivers so they can actively participate in therapy and reinforce skills at home

• Offer tailored support for adults navigating the unique challenges of acquired apraxia following brain injury or illness

With the right tools, expert guidance, and regular practice, many people with apraxia can regain clearer speech and reconnect with the people and experiences that matter most.

How Expressable treats acquired apraxia of speech

At Expressable, we match each client with a licensed speech therapist trained to evaluate and treat acquired apraxia of speech. All therapy is delivered online through live, face-to-face Zoom sessions.

Research shows that teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person treatment for acquired apraxia of speech. Online therapy allows people to receive consistent, individualized support while practicing communication skills in a familiar home environment. It also makes it easier for caregivers and loved ones to actively participate, which is a critical part of treatment.

We encourage family members or caregivers to join sessions whenever possible. Your therapist will demonstrate strategies and exercises for apraxia, provide coaching on how to practice outside of therapy, and guide you in making changes at home to reduce frustration and maximize success. Whether you’re a spouse, adult child, or close friend, your involvement can make a meaningful difference in your loved one’s communication journey.

Expressable’s clinical approach to evaluating acquired apraxia of speech

Diagnosing acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) requires careful attention to detail. Because verbal apraxia can resemble other speech and language disorders, such as dysarthria or aphasia, a comprehensive evaluation is essential. At Expressable, our speech therapists use a combination of standardized assessments (such as the Acquired Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale [ASRS-V1]), informal observations, and motor speech evaluations to identify apraxia’s unique pattern of symptoms and rule out other conditions.

Your evaluation will include:

• A review of your medical history and communication concerns

• An analysis of your speech and language abilities, including speech clarity, efficiency, and overall comprehensibility

• Assessment of motor speech planning, or how your brain coordinates the movements required for speech

• Evaluation of oral-motor skills, including tongue, lip, and jaw movements

• Examination of nonverbal communication (e.g., gestures, facial expressions) and language comprehension and expression

These assessments help your speech therapist create a therapy plan grounded in your strengths, goals, and real-life needs. Most clients attend two sessions per week for apraxia, though frequency may vary depending on severity, insurance coverage, and personal preferences. Your speech therapist will continuously monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Evidence-based strategies to treat acquired apraxia of speech 

Treatment for acquired apraxia of speech is highly personalized, goal-driven, and functional. At Expressable, we focus on helping you communicate as clearly and naturally as possible by improving motor planning, speech production, and overall speech clarity.

Speech therapy for apraxia is often intensive and repetitive. This helps strengthen the brain's ability to plan and execute speech movements. Therapy goals are developed in collaboration with each client and may include evidence-based treatments such as:

• Repeated practice of personally meaningful words and phrases, such as family names, addresses, and daily routines

• Use of integral stimulation and visual modeling, where you watch and imitate how your therapist produces sounds

• Practicing speech sounds in isolation, syllables, words, and short phrases using structured cueing hierarchies

• The Core Vocabulary Approach to establish consistent, functional speech for high-priority words

• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) support, including alternative forms of communication such as gestures, picture boards, or speech-generating devices when needed

Successful treatment for apraxia includes ongoing practice outside of therapy, with support from caregivers and loved ones. Your speech therapist will provide home programs and guidance to help “carry over” skills into daily life.

For some people, especially those further post-onset or with more severe apraxia, speech therapy may incorporate more compensatory strategies. These are techniques used to compensate for speech that isn’t able to be restored. Compensatory strategies aren’t a sign of giving up—it’s a way to ensure functional communication continues, regardless of how severely speech is affected. 

At Expressable, our mission is to help you reach the highest possible level of communication for your daily life, relationships, and independence—however that looks for you.

Practice communication strategies at home with the Expressable portal

At Expressable, speech therapy doesn’t stop when your session ends. You’ll have ongoing text messaging support so you can ask questions or get tips from your speech therapist between sessions. You’ll also have access to our client portal, which makes it easier to practice communication strategies at home. With apraxia therapy, the more often you practice, the faster you’ll make progress!

In the portal, you’ll find Learning Paths that explain and reinforce what you’re learning, such as verbal cues, visual cues, and altering the communication environment:

You can watch videos where our experts demonstrate techniques for meaningful communication, such as correct oral motor patterns and how to practice sounds to improve overall intelligibility:

Your speech therapist will assign easy ways to practice communication strategies during your everyday routines and social interactions:

The benefits of online speech therapy for acquired apraxia of speech

Online speech therapy has been shown to be just as effective as in-person sessions for treating acquired apraxia of speech. In fact, research supports the use of teletherapy for motor speech disorders, including apraxia, with promising outcomes for communication improvement.

For many people, online therapy also better fits their routines and supports greater involvement from family members. Here’s why it works so well:

1 Access to therapists who specialize in apraxia of speech

Acquired apraxia of speech is a complex motor speech disorder that requires a skilled, experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) to diagnose and treat effectively. With online therapy, you’re not limited to SLPs in your local area. You can connect with licensed professionals who specialize in motor speech disorders like apraxia—even if you live in a rural or underserved community where these services may be hard to find.

2 Speech therapy that fits your life

Recovery from a stroke or brain injury often comes with many appointments and responsibilities. Online therapy offers the flexibility to schedule sessions at times that work for you—without the added stress of commuting. This makes it easier to stick to a consistent therapy schedule, which is especially important for apraxia treatment, where repetition and regular practice play a critical role in improving speech.

3 Meaningful practice in a natural setting

Practicing speech in the comfort of your own home can help reduce stress and make therapy feel more functional. Your therapist can design sessions around your daily environment, like practicing how to call a loved one or discuss plans for dinner. This makes therapy immediately applicable to your everyday communication needs, which supports better carryover and long-term progress.

4 Encouraging family involvement

Family and caregivers are essential partners in apraxia treatment. Online therapy makes it easier for loved ones to attend sessions, learn new techniques, and actively support the person with apraxia at home. Whether it’s practicing key phrases, offering helpful cues, or learning how to use AAC tools, involving family members can make a meaningful difference in recovery.

5 Affordable and accessible care

Because online speech therapy doesn’t have many of the costs associated with traditional clinics, it’s often more affordable. Expressable offers transparent, flexible care options (including insurance-based and self-pay) without compromising quality.

See what people with acquired apraxia of speech and their families say about our speech therapists

We’ve treated hundreds of individuals with acquired apraxia of speech around the country. Our speech therapists consistently earn ratings of 4.9 out of 5 stars from their clients. Here’s just a sampling:

“She is so calm, caring, & competent!” “Kelsey is so great with my husband, following his brain tumor surgery. He has both severe aphasia and apraxia, yet she is so patient with him as he tries to provide words, sentences, etc. Also, Kelsey is quick to switch to a different question or activity if needed, and is very aware when my husband is becoming tired. She is so calm, caring, & competent! Lastly, she is always affirming to both the patient & the caregiver. I recommend her without hesitation!”

“Making huge strides” “My sister is connecting well with the therapist and making huge strides to talking again after her stroke.”

“My sister looks forward to our sessions” “Alisha has consistently been inventive and adaptable in her approach to making progress with my sister who is not able to speak due to a stroke about a year ago. [My sister] looks forward to our sessions with Alisha and is always upbeat after we are finished and have time to practice some of the exercises.”

Get matched with a speech therapist today

We’re here to support you or your loved one on the path to clearer, more confident communication. If you’re working to improve speech clarity, rebuild motor speech planning, or find alternative ways to communicate, we can help. Our team will match you with a licensed speech therapist experienced in treating acquired apraxia of speech and other motor speech disorders. Find the right speech therapist for your needs here.