Which aspect of speech is less affected in apraxia compared to dysarthria?

In apraxia of speech, the primary challenge lies in the coordination and sequencing of speech sounds rather than the control of muscle movement itself. Individuals with apraxia may know what they want to say but struggle to translate that intent into the precise motor movements required for clear speech. In contrast, dysarthria is characterized by weakness or dysfunction of the muscles responsible for speech production, leading to issues with muscle movement control.

While respiration, pitch variation, and articulation clarity are all impacted in dysarthria, apraxia tends to preserve the underlying muscle movement control since individuals are technically capable of producing speech sounds when the cognitive-linguistic planning aspect does not interfere. Thus, the correct answer highlights that muscle movement control is less disrupted in apraxia compared to the pronounced muscle weakness and control problems seen in dysarthria. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of these speech disorders and tailoring effective interventions.