Which combination of error patterns would most strongly indicate AOS with preserved language?

• A. Fluent, error-free speech.
• B. Severe apraxia with severe dysarthria.
• C. Inconsistent sound distortions, variable word positions, and abnormal but effortful sequencing.
• D. Inconsistent sound distortions, variable word positions, and abnormal but effortful sequencing.

Answer: (C)

The pattern being tested reflects motor planning for speech with intact language abilities. In AOS with preserved language you see uneven, misarticulated speech sounds that vary from attempt to attempt (inconsistent sound distortions), with words and sequences that falter or reorder, and a noticeable effortful, trial-and-error approach to sequencing. These features point to a planning/programming deficit for speech rather than a language deficit or pure execution weakness, and they typically sit alongside normal language comprehension and structure.

Fluent, error-free speech doesn’t show this planning trouble, and severe apraxia with severe dysarthria blends planning and execution in a way that wouldn’t emphasize the same inconsistent, effortful sequencing with preserved language.