In apraxia of speech (AOS), errors of respiration are most likely to appear as:

• A. Difficulty taking a deep breath on command.
• B. Seldom issues with respiration.
• C. Erratic resonance and phonation.
• D. Errors occur only during reading tasks.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that apraxia of speech disrupts the planning and sequencing of movements needed for speech, which can affect how breathing is coordinated with speaking. When someone with AOS is asked to take a deep breath on command, the motor plan for coordinating that inhalation with the upcoming speech can be impaired, leading to difficulty initiating a strong, controlled breath. This reflects a planning/programming problem in producing the necessary respiratory support for speech, rather than a primary issue with the lungs or with voice quality.

Seldom issues with respiration would imply breathing is usually fine, which isn’t what AOS emphasizes. Erratic resonance and phonation point more to voice or laryngeal control problems typical of dysarthria rather than planning for speech sequences. Any errors limited to reading tasks miss the broader impact of AOS on spontaneous and volitional speech initiation and planning, which doesn’t fit the typical pattern.