Apraxia is a neurological disorder that makes the patient unable to perform everyday gestures and movements. For instance, a person who is suffering from apraxia might not be able to button up his/her shirt or tie shoelaces. Moreover, it’s also a challenging task for them to express anything they want through speech.
Causes
Apraxia disorder occurs when the cerebral hemispheres (a part of the brain) of a person don’t work properly. It can happen due to multiple reasons such as:
- Head injuries
- Strokes
- Dementia
- Head traumas
- Corticobasal Degeneration
- Tumors
Symptoms
As mentioned, the most common symptom of this disorder is the inability to perform simple gestures and movements. However, people with apraxia fully understand commands to move and have complete use of their bodies. But they failed to coordinate and control movements voluntarily.
Types
Different types of apraxia disorder affect the patient’s body differently. Here are some of the most common types of this disease:
- Limb-kinetic apraxia
- Ideomotor apraxia
- Conceptual apraxia
- Ideational apraxia
- Buccofacial apraxia
- Constructional apraxia
- Oculomotor apraxia
- Verbal apraxia
Final Words
According to the NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke), the symptoms of apraxia in some people can reduce with time. If people who are suffering from apraxia are provided with the right support and love from their family, colleagues, and friends, they can learn to control their condition.
References:
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/apraxia-speech
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326768#outlook
