What is a key characteristic of apraxia of speech?

A key characteristic of apraxia of speech is the lengthened and disrupted transitions between sounds. This motor speech disorder affects the brain pathways involved in planning the sequence of movements required for speech. As a result, individuals with apraxia often struggle to produce words consistently and may experience significant difficulty transitioning smoothly from one sound to another, leading to noticeable pauses or elongation between sound segments.

In contrast, consistent speech errors are more indicative of phonological disorders rather than apraxia. Clearly articulated speech is not characteristic of apraxia, as individuals typically have difficulties with articulation and often produce imprecise or distorted sounds. High speech volume is irrelevant to the nature of the disorder since apraxia specifically pertains to the planning and execution of speech movements rather than loudness. Therefore, the option regarding disrupted transitions is the most accurate descriptor of the challenges faced by those with apraxia of speech.