Assessment of AOS for treatment planning

Assessment of speech involves profiling a disorder, possibly at multiple levels, as well as interpreting that information to determine direction for treatment. Assessment of perceptual, acoustic, and physiological characteristics of apraxic speech is discussed, identifying the specific information that is contributed at each level. A combination of methods is advocated because each level of analysis provides the clinician with unique information. Perceptual analyses identify deviations from normal-sounding speech, whereas acoustic and physiological analyses can help provide insight into the underlying cause of perceptual abnormality. The latter can also identify abnormality that may not be detected perceptually but may be interfering with performance. Applications of the different assessment levels and methods to developing treatments and measuring outcome are addressed.