This Course is a Podcast Episode

You can listen to this course for free on most podcast players (Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, etc.). Once you have listened to the episode / course you can access the post-test and earn your certificate / ASHA CEUs using the links above.

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    FreeHandout: Maybe it’s Apraxia? Diagnostic Considerations for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

    This handout was provided by Mike Bright. It is one page in length and contains main points from the episode.
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Course Description and Learning Objectives

This topic is a frequent flyer in our listener questions inbox.  Apraxia?  Severe phonological disorder?  Articulation disorder?  What’s the difference?  Does it even matter?  Turns out, there are some pretty big differences between these diagnostic categories, and it is important to understand what is going on in order to help your client to the best of your ability.  

Enter our conversation with Mike Bright.  His experience in this area is extensive - and includes recognition from Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech.  Fortunately for us, and our listeners, Mike was generous enough to sit down with us and talk about one really important piece of this bigger conversation:  Differential diagnosis.  Listen in and learn just what differential diagnosis is, why it is important, and specific components that should be included in an assessment when childhood apraxia of speech is a possibility.

We had a great time learning from Mike, and we think you will too!  You can learn more about Mike here.


Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe one reason why differential diagnosis is challenging.

  2. Describe one reason why differential diagnosis is critical in providing appropriate intervention.

  3. Identify four components of an in-depth speech evaluation when childhood apraxia of speech is a possibility.




Course Presenters

Mike Bright, MS, CCC-SLP

Mike Bright is a Massachusetts-based speech-language pathologist with nearly 15 years experience helping children communicate more successfully. Trained and employed through Boston Children’s Hospital until very recently, he has developed an expertise in thinking about particularly difficult-to-understand speech. Mike was also selected in the inaugural Bootcamp provided through Apraxia-Kids.org, and he has received intensive training and subsequent in-depth experience working with various motor speech disorders. He recently opened a private practice, Bright Speech and Language, LLC, where he provides comprehensive assessments, helping children and their families navigate the murky and often stormy waters of diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and progress monitoring.

SLP/BCBA; SLP

Kate Grandbois (she/her) & Amy Wonkka (she/her

Kate and Amy are co-founders of SLP Nerdcast. Kate is a dually certified SLP / BCBA who works primarily as an "AAC Specialist." She owns a private practice with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, augmentative alternative communication intervention and assessment, and consultation. Amy is an SLP who also works as an "AAC Specialist" in a public school setting. Amy's primary interests are AAC, typical language development, motor speech, phonology, data collection, collaboration, coaching, and communication partner training and support.

Speaker Disclosures

Mike Bright Financial Disclosures: Mike is the owner of Bright Speech and Language, LLC. Mike Bright Non-financial: "Recognized by Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech"

Kate Grandbois financial disclosures: Kate is the owner / founder of Grandbois Therapy + Consulting, LLC and co-founder of SLP Nerdcast.  Kate Grandbois non-financial disclosures: Kate is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children. She is also a member of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), MassABA, the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the corresponding Speech Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis SIG. 

Amy Wonkka financial disclosures:  Amy is an employee of a public school system and co-founder for SLP Nerdcast.   Amy Wonkka non-financial disclosures: Amy is a member of ASHA, SIG 12, and serves on the AAC Advisory Group for Massachusetts Advocates for Children.


Time Ordered Agenda:

10 minutes: Introduction, Disclaimers and Disclosures

20 minutes:  Descriptions of the challenges of differential diagnosis

15 minutes:  Descriptions of why differential diagnosis is critical in providing appropriate intervention

10 minutes:  Descriptions of components of an in-depth speech evaluation when childhood apraxia of speech is a possibility.

5 minutes: Summary and Closing


References

Overby, M., & Caspari, S. S. (2015). Volubility, consonant, and syllable characteristics in infants and toddlers later diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech: A pilot study. Journal of Communication Disorders, 55, 44-62. doi:10.1016/j.jcomdis.2015.04.001


Reviews

5 star rating

Great topic

Kimberly Robertson

Sooo much info, I feel like it could have been a part 1 and part 2

Sooo much info, I feel like it could have been a part 1 and part 2

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5 star rating

Great option for CEUs!

Kelly Dillon

Thank you SLP NerdCast for a unique CEU option. It was easy to listen to and an enjoyable format. I highly recommend.

Thank you SLP NerdCast for a unique CEU option. It was easy to listen to and an enjoyable format. I highly recommend.

Read Less
5 star rating

Appropriate for learning objectives

Maggie Burns

So unbelievably helpful!

So unbelievably helpful!

Read Less