Apraxia

Apraxia is a phonological processing disorder that is compounded by an inability to pair the auditory signal with the perceived modeling of the sound (Stoeckel, 2016). Many researchers believe that childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) might indeed have an auditory perceptual basis.  Selective auditory attention or deficiencies may interfere with focus on aspects of speech and language development (Kent, 2016). According to the Neurocomputational Model (Guenther, 2012, et.al)) students with apraxia process indistinctly because of distractions, confusion, and insufficient focus. By utilizing a multi-sensory, multimodal approach that employs as many avenues to the brain as possible, learning will occur most successfully (Moats, L. C., & Farrell, M. L. 1999). The interaction with the colorful shapes of FONEMZ solidifies focus on sound and speech movements utilizing the stronger visual processing in the right brain. It is the same with acquired apraxia which can be a disabling result of a stroke or brain damage. Using the visual shapes of FONEMZ to relate to sounds in conjunction with sound production, helps improve focus and retention.