Which assessment task would most directly evaluate motor-speech programming abilities in a child suspected of having childhood apraxia of speech?

The correct choice effectively targets the evaluation of motor-speech programming abilities, which are crucial in diagnosing conditions like childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Sequential and alternating motion rates assess how well a child can produce rapid sequences of movements involving speech sounds. This task requires the integration of motor planning and execution, which are core deficits in apraxia. If a child struggles with this type of motor sequencing, it is indicative of potential difficulties with the coordination necessary for fluent speech production.

In contrast, measuring vowel prolongation primarily assesses the child's ability to sustain a vowel sound, which does not specifically indicate their capacity for speech motor programming. Probing stimulability of speech sounds focuses on whether a child can produce certain sounds when given cues, which provides information about sound acquisition rather than motor planning skills. Administering a standardized oromotor production assessment evaluates the strength and range of motion of the oral structures, but it does not directly analyze the sequencing and timing of speech movements, which are pivotal in diagnosing apraxia. Therefore, assessing sequential and alternating motion rates is the most comprehensive task for examining motor-speech programming in children suspected of having apraxia.