Which approach best supports motor planning in AOS therapy?

• A. Dynamic cueing with modeling and graded cues
• B. Single repetition drills without cues
• C. Passive listening without practice
• D. Pharmacological interventions

Answer: (B)

Focusing on how a motor plan is generated and retrieved is essential when helping someone with apraxia of speech. The approach that uses single repetition drills without cues pushes the listener to generate and initiate the spoken plan with minimal external guidance. By repeatedly attempting the target sequence in a straightforward way, the brain has to form, retrieve, and execute the motor plan more independently, which strengthens the internal circuitry that supports planning and timing for speech. This kind of practice can help build more consistent, self-initiated productions over time.

Supportive cues and modeling can be very helpful early in treatment to establish a successful pattern and reduce frustration, but they mainly provide external scaffolding. Passive listening offers exposure without active practice, which doesn’t train planning. Pharmacological interventions don’t directly shape motor planning skills. The single repetition drill without cues centers practice on internal plan retrieval and execution, aligning with the goal of strengthening motor planning capabilities.