Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), also known as developmental verbal dyspraxia, is a neurological motor speech disorder that affects a child's ability to plan, coordinate, and execute the movements necessary for clear and intelligible speech. In CAS, the brain has difficulty sending the appropriate signals to the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and lips to produce speech sounds accurately.
Here are some key characteristics of childhood apraxia of speech:

1. Inconsistent Speech Sound Errors: Children with CAS often demonstrate inconsistent speech sound errors, meaning that they may produce a sound correctly in one context but struggle to produce it correctly in another context or at a different time.

2. Difficulty with Sequencing: CAS affects a child's ability to sequence and coordinate the precise movements of the articulators (such as the tongue, lips, and jaw) required for speech production. As a result, children with CAS may have difficulty producing speech sounds in the correct order within words or syllables.

3. Groping Behavior: Children with CAS may exhibit groping or trial-and-error behaviors as they attempt to produce speech sounds. They may appear to struggle or hesitate as they try to coordinate their articulators to form sounds or words.

4. Limited Prosody: Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns of speech. Children with CAS may have limited prosody, with speech that sounds monotone or flat, lacking the natural variations in pitch, stress, and rhythm typically observed in fluent speech.

5. Language and Cognitive Skills: While CAS primarily affects speech production, it can also impact language development and communication skills to varying degrees. Some children with CAS may have additional language difficulties, while others may have relatively intact language skills.

6. Early Signs: Signs of CAS may be present in early childhood, including delayed onset of speech, limited babbling, and difficulty imitating speech sounds or words. However, the diagnosis of CAS is typically made after a child has been actively attempting to produce speech for some time and has demonstrated persistent difficulties with speech production.

Diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech is typically made by a speech-language pathologist with expertise in motor speech disorders.
Some children with characteristics of CAS also present with problems in the underlying motor system. These clients with a dual diagnosis (CAS/dysarthria or CAS/OMD) need a different treatment plan and often present as more severe.

Some children come to the evaluation with limited or no speech. While CAS cannot be identified, a tactile approach and techniques to systematically teach the child to vocalize on command, learn new sounds, sequence sounds and then connect to make syllables and words is the focus of an intensive motor speech program. Additional assistance such as AAC or sign language may be recommended while your child is learning speech.
It is the mission of the therapists at CRTC that verbal communication continues to be the primary goal while supplementing with non-verbal communication strategies to continue to develop communication and language while decreasing frustration. Augmentative communication should never be the final answer for a client who wants to speak.

Treatment for CAS often involves intensive speech therapy focused on improving motor planning and coordination, increasing speech sound accuracy, and developing compensatory strategies for communication. Family involvement and collaboration with other professionals, such as educators and occupational therapists, may also be important components of intervention for children with CAS. Early intervention and consistent therapy can significantly improve outcomes for children with CAS.