Giving a voice to individuals with apraxia of speech
PPAOS VOICE SAMPLES
About Us
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Where to Hear Samples of PPAOS
(https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e31829c5ed5)
Prosodic and phonetic subtypes of primary progressive apraxia of speech
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandl.2018.06.004)
Clinical Progression in Four Cases of Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-
17-0227)
Primary Progressive Aphasias and Apraxia of Speech (https://doi.org/10.1212/CON.0000000000000699)
The Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale: Reliability, Validity, and Utility (https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00148)
Primary Progressive Aphasia and Other Frontotemporal Dementias: Diagnosis and Treatment of Associated
Communication Disorders (Plural Publishing)
Services
We offer a range of speech and language therapy services, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for various speech disorders, language disorders, and communication difficulties. We also provide accent modification and voice therapy services.
Our Team
Our team of licensed and certified speech-language pathologists has extensive experience and training in the field of speech and language therapy. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and support to our clients.
Testimonials
Hear what our clients have to say about our services and how we have helped them improve their communication skills and achieve their goals.
Resources
We provide a variety of resources and materials to support our clients' speech and language development, including articles, worksheets, and activities.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you.
What does someone with PPAOS sound like?
Primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) not primary progressive aphasia (PPA))
Primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) not primary progressive aphasia (PPA))
Primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) not primary progressive aphasia (PPA))
PPAOS is a progressive neurological motor-speech syndrome in which difficulty planning/programming speech movements is the initial and predominant problem.
PPAOS primarily affects speech motor planning/programming. It is not the same condition as primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which primarily affects language.
There is no single test that establishes PPAOS. Diagnosis combines the history of progressive symptoms, detailed motor-speech assessment, language and cognitive assessment, neurological examination and, where appropriate, neuroimaging and other investigations
.Syndromes dominated by apraxia of speech show distinct characteristics from agrammatic PPA
Main features of PPAOS
Primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) not primary progressive aphasia (PPA))
Primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) not primary progressive aphasia (PPA))
adult-onset neurodegenerative condition
insidious rather than sudden onset
progressive deterioration
impairment of speech motor planning/programming
speech rather than language is initially the principal difficulty
speech can become increasingly slow, effortful, segmented or distorted
other neurological, language or motor-speech difficulties can emerge as the disease progresses
PPAOS is strongly associated with neurodegenerative tau pathology, particularly 4-repeat tauopathies.
Primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) not primary progressive aphasia (PPA))
Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluations
Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluations
Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluations
Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluations
Our detailed assessment services help identify specific speech and language issues. Using evidence-based tools, we provide clear diagnoses and tailored therapy strategies to improve communication outcomes for all age groups.
Community Workshops & Support Groups
Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluations
Educational Resources & Self-Help Guides
Participate in our community workshops designed to enhance communication skills and provide peer support. These sessions are suitable for clients, families, and caregivers seeking practical advice and social connection within a professional framework.
Educational Resources & Self-Help Guides
Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluations
Educational Resources & Self-Help Guides
Access a variety of educational materials to support ongoing speech and language development. Speech Apraxia International – Raising Awareness and Providing Support for Apraxia of Speech aims to empower clients with knowledge and practical exercises to maintain progress outside formal therapy sessions.
When should PPAOS be suspected?
PPAOS not PPA
Slower or segmented speech
Gradually changing speech
PPAOS is a progressive neurological motor-speech syndrome in which difficulty planning/programming speech movements is the initial and predominant problem.
PPAOS primarily affects speech motor planning/programming. It is not the same condition as primary progressive aphasia (PPA), which primarily affects language.
Gradually changing speech
Slower or segmented speech
Gradually changing speech
Ask whether speech has become progressively more difficult over months or years rather than changing suddenly following a stroke or injury.
Slower or segmented speech
Slower or segmented speech
Slower or segmented speech
Examples:
unusually slow speech
pauses between syllables
pauses within multisyllabic words
increased effort
syllables sounding separated
altered rhythm
Distorted speech sounds
Speech difficulty without an obvious early language problem
Slower or segmented speech
distorted consonants or vowels
distorted sound substitutions
repeated attempts at producing sounds
difficulty increasing with longer or more complex utterances
Speech difficulty without an obvious early language problem
Speech difficulty without an obvious early language problem
Speech difficulty without an obvious early language problem
Someone may know the word they want and understand language but have increasing difficulty physically organising the speech movements required to say it.
This distinction should lead directly into assessment.
Who Diagnoses PPAOS?
Speech difficulty without an obvious early language problem
Speech difficulty without an obvious early language problem
A multidisciplinary team is needed to diagnose PPAOS.
Speech and Language Therapist / Speech-Language Pathologist
Central role in identifying and characterising the motor-speech disorder.
H3: Neurologist
Assesses the broader neurological picture and possible underlying neurodegenerative disease.
H3: Behavioural or cognitive neurologist
Particularly useful where progressive speech/language disorders are suspected.
H3: Neuropsychologist
May assess:
language
memory
executive functioning
attention
visuospatial abilities
broader cognition
Mayo describes diagnosis as potentially involving neurologists, behavioural neurologists, speech-language pathologists and neuropsychological assessment.
Speech Apraxia International – Raising Awareness and Providing Support for Apraxia of Speech Speech and Language Services
Our Approach
Services for Children
Services for Children
At Speech Apraxia International – Raising Awareness and Providing Support for Apraxia of Speech Speech and Language Services, we believe in a collaborative approach to therapy. We work closely with our clients and their families to create individualized treatment plans that address their unique needs and goals.
Services for Children
Services for Children
Services for Children
We offer a range of services for children with speech and language disorders, including articulation therapy, language therapy, and social communication therapy. We also provide early intervention services for infants and toddlers.
Services for Adults
Services for Children
Services for Adults
National Aphasia Association – PPA/PPAOS Educational Series
A free recurring webinar series on Primary Progressive Aphasia and Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech, with recordings and practical education for clinicians, people with PPA/PPAOS and families.
https://aphasia.org/series/ppa-ppaos-educational-series
Our Team
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Services for Adults
Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech: Clinical Features and Acoustic and Neurologic Correlates
Duffy and colleagues (2015) examined the clinical, acoustic and neurological characteristics of Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPAOS). Participants underwent detailed speech and language assessment alongside neurological investigation and acoustic analysis. The study identified characteristic patterns involving articulatory errors, slowed speech, syllable segmentation and abnormal prosody. Acoustic measures provided additional objective information that supported perceptual clinical assessment. Although the research focuses on progressive rather than stroke-related AOS, it is highly relevant to assessment because it demonstrates how perceptual examination, quantitative speech measures and neurological findings can be combined. It also helps distinguish progressive motor-speech impairment from progressive language disorders.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4451786/
Reference: Duffy, J. R., Strand, E. A., Clark, H. M., Machulda, M. M., Whitwell, J. L. and Josephs, K. A. (2015) ‘Primary progressive apraxia of speech: Clinical features and acoustic and neurologic correlates’, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 24(2), pp. 88–100. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4451786/ (Accessed: 26 August 2026).
6. The Evolution of Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech
Josephs and colleagues (2014) followed people with Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech over time to examine how their speech, language, neurological and functional abilities changed as the condition progressed. Participants received repeated neurological, neuropsychological and speech-language assessments. AOS remained the dominant initial communication difficulty, although additional neurological and communication problems developed in some individuals over time. The research demonstrates the value of longitudinal assessment when a person's speech difficulties are gradually worsening. Although focused on PPAOS rather than acquired AOS following a single neurological injury, the study provides useful information about differential diagnosis, monitoring change and distinguishing progressive motor-speech disorders from aphasia and dysarthria.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4229741/
Reference: Josephs, K. A. et al. (2014) ‘The evolution of primary progressive apraxia of speech’, Brain, 137(10), pp. 2783–2795. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4229741/ (Accessed: 26 August 2026).
FAQs
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We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help our clients better understand our services and what to expect during therapy.
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If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.