The apraxia horn hierarchy TalkTools approach became a turning point for Noah when he was just 2 years old. At that time, he had no intelligible speech, almost no sound approximations, and very poor oral motor skills. As a result, his family began a daily home program that focused on horns, bite tubes, and consistent practice.
How apraxia horn hierarchy TalkTools started for Noah
When Noah was 2, his speech therapist suspected apraxia of speech. He did not yet have the motor coordination needed to blow a bubble or produce sound on a horn. In addition, the muscles throughout his mouth were weak, which made early speech work especially challenging.
Because of those concerns, his therapist introduced horn #1 from the TalkTools Horn Hierarchy. She also encouraged Noah's family to buy the full Horn Hierarchy and the bite tube set. From that point forward, they practiced every day at home. Most importantly, they stayed consistent even when progress felt slow.
TalkTools Horn Hierarchy practice and first sounds
For three months, Noah practiced horn #1 every single day before he produced his first sound. Naturally, that first success felt huge to his family. Afterward, he gradually moved through the rest of the Horn Hierarchy. Although some horns were harder than others, especially horn #7, he kept working until he mastered each one.
Along the way, the different horn sounds kept him motivated. For example, he especially loved the train and airplane noises. At the same time, each horn taught him a specific oral movement pattern. Consequently, the program helped improve his oral motor coordination step by step.
Why bite tubes mattered in Noah's apraxia therapy
In addition to the horns, Noah used bite tubes to build strength and stability. Even after graduating from the Horn Hierarchy, he continued using the bite tubes because he still struggled on his left side. Therefore, the bite tube work remained an important part of his program.
From horn hierarchy to words and sentences
Once Noah completed the Horn Hierarchy, his therapist introduced bilabial shapes and tactile tubes. Because he was a strong visual and tactile learner, those physical prompts were especially helpful. In fact, the bilabial shapes helped teach him his second and third words at age 3: “momma” and “more.”
By age 4.5, Noah was still affected by apraxia every day. Even so, his progress was dramatic. He had many words, he was using sentences, and he could communicate his needs and wants much more effectively. For his family, that growth changed everyday life.
“We are so grateful to TalkTools for creating these amazing products so kids like Noah can find their words.”
What Noah's apraxia TalkTools story means for families
Noah's story highlights how consistent practice, patient support, and the right tools can make a real difference for children with apraxia. While progress did not happen overnight, daily repetition helped him move from no speech to meaningful communication. Likewise, his family's commitment played a central role in that outcome.
Today, Noah's family remains active in the Tampa Bay area and participates in fundraising for Apraxia Walks that benefit CASANA, the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America. Their experience continues to encourage other families who are just beginning a similar journey.