For assessing childhood apraxia of speech, which procedure is most appropriate?

The most appropriate procedure for assessing childhood apraxia of speech is determining speech production across syllable combinations. This approach is crucial because childhood apraxia of speech is characterized by difficulties with the planning and programming of the movements required for speech production. By evaluating how a child produces speech across various syllable combinations, clinicians can gain insight into the child's ability to execute these movements. This assessment can reveal patterns of errors that may indicate apraxia, such as inconsistent speech sound errors or difficulty transitioning between sounds and syllables.

The focus on syllable combinations allows for a detailed examination of not just isolated sounds or words, but also the complexity of speech production as it increases. Children with apraxia often show more significant difficulties with longer and more complex syllable structures. Therefore, this method provides a clearer understanding of the child's speech production capabilities, making it the most relevant and informative choice for assessment in the context of apraxia.