Which characteristic is highly associated with apraxia of speech according to McNeil and colleagues?

Apraxia of speech is primarily characterized by difficulties in the planning and programming of speech movements, leading to disrupted speech production. One of the hallmark features associated with this condition is the presence of sound prolongations. This symptom manifests as an inability to control the timing and transitions of speech sounds, often resulting in the stretching or elongation of particular sounds or syllables. Individuals with apraxia of speech may struggle to initiate sounds or produce them in a fluid manner, which can create the impression of prolongation.

In contrast, while vocal quality variations, breath support issues, and slow speech rate can occur in various speech and language disorders, they are not unique to apraxia of speech. Vocal quality variations might stem from other conditions affecting the voice or resonance rather than the planning and execution of speech movements. Similarly, breath support issues are more related to respiratory control rather than the motor planning difficulty that characterizes apraxia. Although individuals with apraxia may exhibit a slow speech rate due to their struggle to correctly articulate sounds, it is the sound prolongations that are most directly tied to the nature of the disorder itself, as they specifically reflect the disruption in the motor planning process. Thus, the association of sound prolongations with apraxia of