Understanding Whole-body Apraxia
What is Whole-Body Apraxia?
Apraxia is a motor planning difference that affects how the brain plans, sequences, and executes movements. For many non-speaking or unreliably speaking autistic individuals, apraxia affects their entire body.
Unlike developmental delays or muscle weakness, apraxia isn’t about not knowing what to do; it’s about the disconnect between intention and execution. And when there is a disconnect between the brain and the body, participating in daily life becomes incredibly challenging.
It can create:
Motor responses that seem inconsistent, unreliable, or unpredictable
A body that freezes, bolts, or resists—even during familiar routines
Repetitive or looping behaviors that are hard to interrupt or shift
Does this sound familiar?
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Movement Feels Unpredictable
Your loved one can run, jump, and climb, yet purposeful movement (like fine motor tasks or intentional, controlled actions) feels inconsistent or out of reach.
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Traditional Approaches Haven’t Worked
Many traditional approaches focus on changing behavior or teaching skills through repetition. But when the challenge is motor planning, the issue isn't knowing what to do—it's getting the body to carry out the intention.
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Frustration, Fatigue, and Motor Loops Take Over
The effort to complete intentional movements leaves them exhausted, leading to shutdowns, avoidance, or reliance on automatic, unintentional actions.
Quick Recap…
LET’S TAKE A MINUTE TO connect the dots
Apraxia affects the body, not just speech
Apraxia is often discussed in relation to speech, but actually can affect the body’s ability to perform planned, intentional movements—even when gross motor skills appear intact.
Their muscles need coaching (not their brain)
Your loved one’s mind knows what it wants to do. The challenge lies in getting the muscles and motor pathways to respond in a reliable, intentional way.
Repetitive movement ≠ intentional movement
Automatic movements (like pacing or fidgeting) may happen effortlessly, but new movement patterns require a different kind of motor coaching.
The nervous system plays a huge role
Motor control isn’t just about muscles. Neurological “noise,” sensory processing differences, and past trauma can disrupt motor control, making movement difficult and unpredictable.
Why We Take a Whole-Body, Motor-based Approach
Traditional models often miss the mark. They focus heavily on verbal output, compliance, or surface-level behaviors without addressing the underlying motor planning, regulation, and nervous system needs. At Sunrise, we take a different approach. One that’s rooted in real-life experience, person-centered planning, and a belief that every human is capable, even when their body says otherwise.
A well-functioning body starts with intentional movement. Our holistic approach helps your loved one bridge the gap between what their mind knows and what their body can do—helping individuals with apraxia, neurological differences, and sensory processing challenges move with purpose and control.
How We Support Apraxia: Our Three Core Support Pillars
Pillar 01:
Presume Competence
We work from the belief that your loved one is intelligent, aware, and capable, even if they can’t always show it yet. Our approach is about opening access, not forcing outcomes.
Pillar 02:
Nervous System Regulation
Before an individual can act, engage, or learn, they need to feel safe in their body. We show you how to co-regulate with your loved one, reduce overwhelm, and build connections that support nervous system safety and readiness.
Pillar 03:
Coach Intentional Movement
We help you break down complex movements into small, specific steps with cues and strategies that make movement easier for individuals struggling with a brain-body disconnect.
NEURO-MOTOR CONNECTION
Intentional Motor Can Help:
Strengthen the body-brain connection for more controlled, purposeful movement
Improve coordination and reduce reliance on automatic, compensatory actions
Enhance communication by aligning movement with intention
Reduce frustration and increase confidence in daily activities
Support nervous system regulation to ease sensory and motor overwhelm
Help the body respond to commands with greater ease and predictability
Progress isn’t about forcing movement—it’s about helping the body to connect with the mind. Let’s build that connection together!
Meet your Neuro-Motor Coaches
We don’t just work on movement—we help individuals experience connection in a whole new way. Our approach is rooted in neuroscience, sensory integration, and motor learning, ensuring that every step is purposeful and effective.
We look at more than what the body is showing us externally. We know that apraxia isn’t just about speech—it affects movement, coordination, and how the brain and body communicate. That’s why we approach therapy from a connection-first standpoint, coaching the body to respond intentionally rather than forcing change.
We understand cognitive control—meaning we recognize the challenge of initiating, sustaining, and inhibiting movement. We also know that repetitive, automatic movements aren’t the same as intentional motor control. Over-myelinated neural pathways can get “stuck,” making movement feel unpredictable or unreliable.
With years of experience supporting individuals with apraxia, motor planning challenges, and neurological differences, we’ve seen incredible transformations. And we’re just getting started.
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Build Stronger Motor Pathways
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Improve Coordination & Control
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Support Nervous System Regulation
Testimonials
Building confidence and changing lives
We are so grateful for how much of an impact you have had on {name withheld for privacy}, building confidence, being such an amazing coach for him and me too, and most of all, thank you for your heart and hard work for the community! You are changing lives for so many people and the way society sees our autistic loved ones. You are truly a gem with the most beautiful heart (and kick-ass skills).
- Parent of an 18-year-old
★★★★★