Apraxia of speech is a disruption of the capacity to program the skilled oral movements necessary for speech. The problem is with the programming associated with incorrect neural commands at higher, more central levels. In the past, apraxia was often classified as a type of articulation disorder and was in fact called central dysarthria by some. Includes limb apraxia, oral apraxia, apraxia of gait, and apraxia of the swallow. According to Geschwind, damage to this area results in Conduction Aphasia.
Aspiration can occur before , during , or after the swallow.
Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination developed by Goodglass and Kaplan in 1972, is currently being revised. The severity of a patient's aphasia can be rated on a scale from one to seven based on speech and language characteristics as well as auditory comprehension. Characteristics are telegraphic speech , affected syntax, as well as labored and slow speech, Melodic Contour is flat and Articulatory Agility is impaired. A few paraphasias may occur. They will usually be literal .