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Warning-sign checks

Apraxia: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for sudden trouble speaking or performing familiar movements, especially with facial drooping, arm weakness, numbness, severe imbalance, vision loss, confusion, or a sudden severe headache.

    These can be signs of a stroke.

    It is not possible to safely determine at home whether sudden speech difficulty is apraxia, aphasia, or another problem.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    New movement or speech problems after a serious head injury, or symptoms accompanied by a seizure or loss of consciousness, also require urgent evaluation.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up may involve a neurologist, rehabilitation physician, primary care clinician, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech-language pathologist.

    Visits may review progress, safety, communication needs, and whether treatment goals should change.

    Arrange a medical review if symptoms are gradually worsening, new daily tasks become difficult, falls increase, or therapy is no longer meeting the person’s needs.

    Progressive changes may require further neurological assessment.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Apraxia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.