Apraxia is a neurological condition that affects your ability to perform tasks or movements. It affects your ability to put together the correct sequence of movements or actions to complete a familiar task, such as saying a word or tying your shoes. Apraxia occurs when the brain is damaged due to a brain tumor, injury, dementia, or another neurological condition.
At UPMC, our neurologists and rehabilitation experts — including physical, occupational, and speech therapists — work together to provide comprehensive care for people with apraxia. Our team helps people with apraxia manage their condition and related concerns, such as frustration, depression, and communication.
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What Is Apraxia?
Apraxia is a neurological condition that affects your ability to perform tasks or movements. It affects your ability to put together the correct sequence of actions to complete a familiar task, such as saying a word or tying your shoes. Apraxia occurs when the brain is damaged due to a brain tumor, injury, dementia, or another neurological condition.
What are the types of apraxia?
There are several types of apraxia, including:
- Acquired apraxia — Any type of apraxia that develops in a person who already knows how to perform tasks or movements.
- Apraxia of speech — Difficulty pronouncing words, distorted or repeated speech sounds, trouble using longer words, or saying a different word than intended.
- Buccofacial or orofacial apraxia — Difficulty with movements of the face, such as smiling or sticking out your tongue.
- Constructional apraxia — Difficulty drawing or copying simple diagrams or figures.
- Ideational apraxia — Difficulty performing familiar tasks in order, such as getting dressed.
- Ideomotor or conceptual apraxia — Difficulty performing tasks using appropriate objects, such as trying to write with a kitchen utensil.
- Limb-kinetic apraxia — Difficulty with movements of the arms or legs. A common form of this condition is known as gait apraxia, which causes difficulty with walking.
- Oculomotor apraxia — Difficulty with moving your eyes.
What causes apraxia?
Apraxia is caused by damage to the brain.
Sometimes, it can be present at birth, but is most often caused by:
- Brain tumor.
- Dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
- Epilepsy (seizures).
- Hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain).
- Neurodegenerative disorders, such as atypical Parkinsonism.
- Stroke.
- Traumatic brain injury.
What is the cause of apraxia of speech?
Apraxia of speech is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls speech.
Is apraxia of speech curable?
Whether apraxia is curable depends on its cause. In some cases, speech apraxia may improve as the brain heals after an injury or with therapy. Some people may fully recover, while others may experience long-term symptoms.
Apraxia caused by a neurodegenerative condition such as dementia or atypical Parkinsonism may get worse over time.
Apraxia risk factors
You may be at higher risk of developing apraxia if you have:
- Brain injury caused by disease, stroke, or trauma.
- Brain tumor.
- Epilepsy (seizures).
- Neurodegenerative disorder, such as dementia or atypical parkinsonism.
Complications of apraxia
Apraxia causes problems with performing activities of daily living and may result in loss of independence. Certain activities may no longer be safe, increasing the risk of an accident or injury.
Additionally, apraxia can cause frustration, anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem, as well as difficulty with learning and socializing.
How can I prevent apraxia?
There is nothing you can do to prevent apraxia.
How common is apraxia?
In the general population, apraxia is a rare condition. However, it is more common in people who have had a stroke, brain injury, or brain tumor, as well as those who have received a dementia diagnosis.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Apraxia?
Apraxia causes problems with your ability to perform muscle movements in the correct order to complete a familiar task.
People with apraxia may have:
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks, such as getting dressed or putting on makeup.
- Difficulty using tools properly.
- Problems with facial, upper body, or lower body movements, such as smiling, walking, or typing.
- Unclear speech or difficulty saying words correctly.
What is an example of acquired apraxia of speech?
An example of acquired apraxia of speech could be when someone struggles to say the names of their grandchildren after a stroke. They may pronounce the names incorrectly, omit certain syllables, have trouble getting their mouth and tongue into the correct position to make the sound, or use other words that don’t make sense.
When should I see a doctor about my apraxia symptoms?
If you have apraxia symptoms — especially if you are recovering from a stroke, brain injury, brain tumor, or have been diagnosed with a neurological disorder — you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away.
How Do You Diagnose Apraxia?
If you have symptoms, your doctor will perform a physical exam, talk to you about your health history, and order imaging or other tests to look for the cause of your apraxia.
What to expect during your visit
During your visit, your doctor will:
- Ask about any medications you’re taking.
- Perform a physical exam.
- Order imaging or other tests.
- Review your health history.
Tests to diagnose apraxia
Your doctor may order imaging or other tests to find the cause of your apraxia, including:
- CT scan — A test that creates images of your brain and is used to diagnose stroke, brain tumor, or another type of brain injury.
- Electromyography (EMG) — A test that measures electrical activity in your brain to check for signs of epilepsy.
- MRI — Uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of your brain.
- Neuropsychology testing — Checks for problems with thinking, learning, and understanding.
- Spinal tap — Takes a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from your lower back to check for signs of disease.
Apraxia prognosis
Apraxia can cause problems with your ability to perform everyday activities and may result in a loss of independence. Although apraxia can be managed and may improve with treatment, certain activities may no longer be safe and could increase the risk of an accident or injury.
Can people with apraxia live normal lives?
Whether you can live a normal life with apraxia depends on the type and extent of your symptoms. It may be possible for someone with mild apraxia of speech to live a normal life. However, more severe cases of apraxia that affect movement and the ability to perform everyday activities may result in a loss of independence.
Can you recover from apraxia of speech?
Depending on the cause of apraxia of speech, you may be able to make a complete or partial recovery. If apraxia of speech is caused by a brain injury, brain tumor, or stroke, your symptoms may improve as your brain heals or with the help of therapy. However, if your apraxia of speech is caused by a progressive neurological disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease, your condition may get worse over time.
How Do You Treat Apraxia?
Apraxia treatment aims to improve symptoms when possible, reduce the condition’s impact on everyday activities, and provide coping strategies for affected individuals and family members.
How do you treat apraxia in adults?
Treatment for adults may include:
Lifestyle modifications
Your health care team may recommend lifestyle changes to help you cope with an apraxia diagnosis, including:
- Allowing extra time to perform everyday tasks.
- Arranging items in your home and making other changes that maximize your ability to be independent.
- Minimizing stress and creating a relaxed, calming environment at home.
Rehabilitation therapy
Your doctor may recommend rehabilitation therapy, such as:
- Occupational therapy — Provides strategies to help manage activities of daily living, such as dressing, toileting, and grooming.
- Physical therapy — Focuses on improving strength and mobility, especially for people with gait apraxia.
- Speech-language therapy — Focuses on speech training and communication strategies for people with apraxia of speech.
Mental health care for apraxia
If you have apraxia, it is common to experience anxiety, frustration, or depression. Your provider may recommend mental health care to help you manage these emotions and improve your emotional well-being.
Why Choose UPMC for Apraxia Care?
When you choose UPMC for apraxia care, you will receive:
- Access to world-class neurology expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of neurological conditions using the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques.
- A full range of treatment options — We offer comprehensive rehabilitation services to help you manage your neurological disorder while maintaining the highest possible quality of life.
- Multidisciplinary care — We partner with neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and other medical experts to provide complete care that optimizes your recovery and quality of life.
