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CHILDHOOD APRAXIA OF SPEECH (CAS)
What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder which affects the planning and coordination of speech movements. This means that your child may know what they want to say, but they have difficulty planning and coordinating the precise movements needed to produce clear, consistent speech. The challenges in Childhood Apraxia of Speech lie in motor planning and sequencing, which can make speech unpredictable and inconsistent, even on words a child has said correctly before. A child may choose to use simpler words to get their message across, rather than learn new words.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
What are the signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Difficulty joining sounds and syllables together smoothly
Groping or visible effort when trying to form words
Speech that becomes harder to understand as words and sentences get longer
Inconsistent errors
Difficulty saying sounds or words clearly when asked to copy
Limited babbling or a delayed onset of first words
Diagnosing Childhood Apraxia of Speech requires a comprehensive assessment by Sally, looking at oral motor skills, sound production, syllable and word patterns, and how speech changes with repetition. Because Childhood Apraxia of Speech shares features with other speech sound disorders, careful, specialised assessment is essential to guide the right treatment plan.
Sally will help your child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech benefit from intensive, evidence-based intervention specifically designed to improve speech accuracy and intelligibility, using approaches such as the Nuffield Dyspraxia Program, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) and Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST). These approaches involve frequent repetition and practice of motor speech sequences, gradually building consistency and automaticity.
With regular, targeted sessions, children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech typically show steady gains in speech clarity, more consistent sound production, and greater confidence communicating with family, friends, and teachers. Early, intensive intervention gives children the strongest foundation for developing clear, functional speech as they grow.
LET’S TALK
Wondering about Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Get in touch with Sally to discuss an assessment and find the right next step for your child.