What role does 'intensive practice' play in AOS therapy?

• A. It helps reorganize motor programs and improve accuracy through high-frequency, repetitive practice
• B. It has no impact on motor planning
• C. It worsens errors initially
• D. It only improves endurance

Answer: (A)

Intensive practice in AOS therapy relies on high-frequency, repetitive drilling to reshape speech motor programs. By repeatedly producing accurate articulations, the brain strengthens and reorganizes the motor plans that coordinate the lips, tongue, jaw, and breath timing. This continual repetition helps refine the timing and sequencing of movements, making correct productions more automatic and improving overall accuracy and intelligibility. While learners may make errors early on, the goal of this approach is that with enough repetitions those correct patterns become more stable, reducing errors over time. This is why the best option emphasizes reorganizing motor programs and boosting accuracy through frequent, repetitive practice. The other statements don’t fit this mechanism, as intensive practice does impact planning, isn’t about endurance alone, and isn’t about worsening errors as a standard outcome.