What is typically a first step in treating oral apraxia?

Teaching voluntary oral movements is typically a first step in treating oral apraxia because this condition specifically involves the difficulty in programming and coordinating the movements required for speech production and other oral motor tasks. By focusing on voluntary oral movements, therapists aim to help individuals learn to consciously control their oral structures (like the tongue, lips, and jaw) in a more coordinated manner.

This step is crucial because it lays the foundation for more complex tasks. Once the individual is able to execute these basic movements voluntarily and with increasing precision, therapy can progress to more intricate speech production techniques and broader communication goals.

The other options, while they may have their place in a comprehensive treatment plan, do not address the fundamental issue of the lack of coordination and control that characterizes oral apraxia. For instance, providing intensive therapy or increasing sensory stimulation can be beneficial but are typically not the initial focus. Practicing high-frequency sounds may help with sound production but does not directly target the core difficulty of initiating and coordinating oral movements.