Talking Speech Apraxia

RuthRowntree

The Talking Speech Apraxia Podcast, hosted by Ruth Rowntree, Speech Apraxia UK, is a heartfelt and empowering show dedicated to illuminating the challenges and triumphs that come with speech apraxia (also known as verbal dyspraxia) through interviews with experts and inspiring personal accounts. We cover childhood apraxia of speech, acquired apraxia of speech and primary progressive apraxia of speech. With each episode, we connect families, speech and language therapists, researchers, and other professionals, sharing stories, wisdom, and evidence-based strategies that truly make a difference.

  1. From Thought to Speech: Bridging Linguistic Planning and Motor Speech in Apraxia

    9 HR AGO

    From Thought to Speech: Bridging Linguistic Planning and Motor Speech in Apraxia

    In this episode of Talking Speech Apraxia, Ruth is joined by Julia Chauvet, a researcher exploring the fascinating interface between linguistic planning and motor speech production. Julia breaks down how speech moves from an initial idea to fluent articulation, explaining the different stages of speech production in a way that is both engaging and accessible. She shares insights from her PhD research, including how tools such as reaction time measures, speech duration analysis, and EEG neuroimaging are used to study motor speech planning. While her current work sits firmly within basic research, Julia speaks enthusiastically about the need for closer collaboration between researchers, clinicians, families, and people with lived experience to ensure research findings translate into meaningful, targeted therapies for motor speech disorders—particularly apraxia of speech. Julia also reflects on the surprising gaps that still exist in our understanding of speech apraxia. Although the broad steps of speech production are known, she highlights how much remains unanswered, especially around higher-level linguistic planning. Together, Ruth and Julia discuss the vital role of organisations such as Speech Apraxia UK in bridging the gap between research and real life—bringing together parents, speech and language therapists, researchers, and individuals with speech apraxia to raise awareness, share knowledge, and drive progress. This is an upbeat, thought-provoking conversation that shines a light on cutting-edge research, the importance of collaboration, and the future of translational work in speech apraxia.

    32 min
  2. Why Speech Apraxia Is Still Overlooked: Training Gaps, Bias, and Breaking Into the Profession-Ruth Rowntree

    29 JAN

    Why Speech Apraxia Is Still Overlooked: Training Gaps, Bias, and Breaking Into the Profession-Ruth Rowntree

    In this episode, Ruth Rowntree interviewed by Libby Hall, takes a clear-eyed look at why speech apraxia remains so poorly understood within speech and language therapy. She examines the persistent gaps in university training, the limited exposure many clinicians have to apraxia in practice, and the consequences this has for diagnosis, confidence, and care. Ruth also speaks candidly about the often unspoken barriers faced by people entering the SLT profession with a speech difference. Drawing on lived experience and professional insight, she challenges assumptions about competence, communication, and credibility, and makes the case for a profession that better reflects the diversity of the people it serves. This is a thoughtful, uncompromising conversation about education, bias, and what needs to change if speech and language therapy is to truly understand and include speech apraxia.

    27 min
  3. Neurodiversity in Speech and Language Therapy: Lived Experience, Identity, and Inclusion with Jodee Simpson

    15 JAN

    Neurodiversity in Speech and Language Therapy: Lived Experience, Identity, and Inclusion with Jodee Simpson

    In this episode, Jodie Simpson, an autistic speech and language therapist, talks openly about her journey into the profession and her research on neurodiversity within speech and language therapy. Jodie explores the realities faced by neurodivergent therapists, including discrimination, ableism, and barriers within training and clinical practice. She challenges deficit-based thinking and makes a clear case for recognising and valuing neurodivergent differences rather than framing them as disorders. Jodie also discusses her research into professional identity and highlights the distinct strengths and perspectives neurodivergent therapists bring to their work with clients, families, and colleagues. We underline the urgent need for more inclusive education, workplaces, and professional cultures. The episode ends with a clear message: embracing difference strengthens the profession, and neurodivergent therapists deserve recognition, support, and equal opportunity to thrive.

    30 min
  4. Acquired Apraxia of Speech-How to treat and assess with Kimberley Williams of Nova Speech Therapy

    1 JAN

    Acquired Apraxia of Speech-How to treat and assess with Kimberley Williams of Nova Speech Therapy

    Kimberley Williams explores the realities of working with acquired apraxia of speech, a rare motor speech disorder that most often presents alongside aphasia following stroke. Drawing on extensive clinical experience, Kimberley explains the specialist skills required, the challenges clinicians face, and what effective support looks like in practice. She also reflects on the personal and professional motivations that led her into this field, offering a grounded, honest perspective on why this work matters and what continues to drive her commitment to people living with acquired apraxia of speech.

    22 min
  5. Speech Apraxia, Care and Context in India with Appas Saha

    19/12/2025

    Speech Apraxia, Care and Context in India with Appas Saha

    Distinguished Assistant Professor Appas Saha joins us from India to discuss speech apraxia awareness, care, and diagnosis in his country. He explores how families navigate assessment and therapy for children with childhood apraxia of speech, highlighting both the challenges they face and the progress being made. He also shares his hopes for the future of support and understanding in this important field.

    35 min
  6. Why isn’t he talking? It can’t just be autism

    05/12/2025

    Why isn’t he talking? It can’t just be autism

    When Lottie Berry’s non-speaking autistic son Joshua didn’t follow the normal pathway for speech progression, she started to question why.Yes, he was autistic, but that didn’t explain why he couldn’t talk. Lottie talks about how she bravely pushed for a diagnosis for his speech disorder on the NHS and secured an adapted speech assessment, which resulted in a diagnosis of Suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).Josh now has intensive speech therapy sessions for CAS on the NHS that have helped unlock his voice alongside his trusty speech device Monty (Proloquo2Go).Lottie says, “I had given up hope that he was ever going to talk with his mouth - I just didn’t think it was ever going to happen…the fact he can now say mummy (and other words) with his mouth is the best thing ever for him and me.”Lottie Berry is the Founder of Tap Type Talk, an autism, apraxia, and AAC advocacy platform.

    26 min
  7. Picking targets and working with childhood apraxia of speech

    21/11/2025

    Picking targets and working with childhood apraxia of speech

    Olga Komadina talks about why she chose to work in speech apraxia and her route into the field. What are the challenges and how do you make decisions about children? Olga has years of experience working with childhood apraxia of speech.

    55 min
  8. Acquired apraxia of speech- Jon Hunt, founder of Cuespeak

    14/11/2025

    Acquired apraxia of speech- Jon Hunt, founder of Cuespeak

    In this episode, Jon Hunt discusses how apraxia affects people after a stroke and shares insights from his work supporting individuals with acquired apraxia of speech and aphasia. He explores the challenges of diagnosis, common misconceptions about treatment, and how these conditions often overlap more than many realise. Jon also talks about designing the Cuespeak therapy app, created to help people practice speech and communication more effectively. He explains how apraxia therapy tends to focus on the mechanics of speech, while aphasia therapy targets language processing—but in reality, speech and language are deeply connected, and both approaches can complement each other in therapy.

    22 min
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About

The Talking Speech Apraxia Podcast, hosted by Ruth Rowntree, Speech Apraxia UK, is a heartfelt and empowering show dedicated to illuminating the challenges and triumphs that come with speech apraxia (also known as verbal dyspraxia) through interviews with experts and inspiring personal accounts. We cover childhood apraxia of speech, acquired apraxia of speech and primary progressive apraxia of speech. With each episode, we connect families, speech and language therapists, researchers, and other professionals, sharing stories, wisdom, and evidence-based strategies that truly make a difference.

Information

  • Creator
    RuthRowntree
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © RuthRowntree
  • Show Website
    Talking Speech Apraxia