What is a characteristic symptom of apraxia of speech?

• A. Inability to understand speech
• B. Inconsistent pronunciation of words
• C. Excessive speech repetitions
• D. Social withdrawal

Answer: (B)

A characteristic symptom of apraxia of speech is the inconsistent pronunciation of words. In apraxia of speech, individuals have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements required for speech production, which can lead to errors in producing sounds, syllables, and words. This inconsistency manifests as variations in how the same word may be pronounced differently at different times, even when the individual knows the word and its meaning. This symptom is distinct from other speech disorders, where errors may occur in a more predictable fashion.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the nature of apraxia of speech. Inability to understand speech relates more to language comprehension deficits rather than speech production. Excessive speech repetitions are often indicative of other conditions, such as stuttering, rather than apraxia. Social withdrawal can be a secondary consequence of communication difficulties but is not a direct symptom of apraxia itself. The prominence of inconsistent pronunciation in apraxia highlights the specific motor planning challenges faced by individuals with this condition.