The effectiveness of gross motor interventions in improving motor function in childhood apraxia of speech

Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) often present motor co-ordination difficulties accompanying their speech and sound delays. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a paired versus a small group gross motor intervention on selected pre-school children, pre-identified with CAS. Children pre-identified with CAS (N = 20) were assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) and the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) during the baseline-, pre- and post-tests. The participants were randomly divided into two groups and completed a 12-week gross motor intervention (two 45-minute sessions per week). There were significant improvements in the total motor proficiency of the MABC-2 as well as overall gross motor quotient (GMQ) of the TGMD-2 in both groups post-intervention. This study highlights the need for further research in gross motor interventions to improve the quality of movement of children, pre-identified with CAS.