Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
For speech to occur, signals must travel from the brain to the muscles in the mouth, guiding how and when they move to create sounds. In children with apraxia of speech, these signals do not transmit correctly. As a result, even though the child’s muscles are not weak, they may struggle to coordinate their lips or tongue to produce speech sounds, or they may find it difficult to speak at all.
Children with CAS know what they want to say, but the issue lies in how their brain communicates with the muscles involved in speech. CAS may also be referred to as verbal dyspraxia or developmental apraxia. Despite the term “developmental,” CAS is not something children outgrow without intervention. Without treatment, children with CAS will not acquire speech sounds in the usual order or show typical progress. However, with consistent therapy, improvements are possible.
Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Not all children with CAS will exhibit the same symptoms, but some common signs include:
- Difficulty saying words the same way every time
- Misplacing stress on the wrong syllables or words
- Distorting or altering sounds
- Pronouncing shorter words more clearly than longer ones
In addition to speech challenges, children with CAS may experience:
- Difficulty with fine motor skills
- Delayed language development
- Issues with reading, spelling, and writing
Schedule an appointment with one of our Speech Language Therapists today to discover how we can help you.
Causes of Childhood Apraxia of Speech
The exact cause of CAS is often unknown. However, in some instances, it can be linked to brain injury from genetic disorders, syndromes, strokes, or traumatic events.
Professional Evaluation
To diagnose CAS, a speech-language therapist (SLT) will assess your child’s speech and language abilities. This evaluation may include checking your child’s oral-motor skills, speech intonation, and how they pronounce individual sounds. The SLT may also assess how well others can understand your child’s speech.
It’s also essential to consult a doctor to rule out any medical issues and have your child’s hearing assessed by an audiologist, as hearing loss can further complicate speech development.
Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Children with CAS often require frequent therapy sessions, typically 3–5 times per week initially. The frequency may decrease as the child’s speech improves. The main goal of therapy is to improve the clarity of your child’s speech by helping them plan and execute the necessary mouth movements for producing sounds. It’s important to note that strengthening mouth muscles through exercises is not effective, as muscle weakness is not the issue. Instead, therapy focuses on coordinating the correct movements needed for speech.
Practice is crucial for progress, and using various sensory cues can support learning, such as:
Touch Cues
For example, the child can touch their lips while making the “p” sound to remind themselves to close their lips.
Visual Cues
The child can look in the mirror while practicing sounds to observe their movements.
Listening Cues
Recording and replaying speech can help the child hear whether they are producing the correct sounds.
If your child is suffering from any of these conditions, do not hesitate to
contact Perfect Balance Speech & Language Therapy for help.
Alternative Communication Methods
In some cases, children with CAS may benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, such as sign language, picture boards, or communication devices. These tools can support communication while the child works on their speech with the SLT. There is no evidence that AAC systems hinder a child’s motivation to speak; instead, they provide an essential bridge for communication.
Parental Involvement and Support
Therapy for CAS requires time and dedication. Parents play a key role in their child’s progress by practicing speech techniques at home. It’s important to take breaks when the child feels fatigued and to keep practice sessions engaging. Regular communication with the SLT ensures that everyone is working together to support the child’s development.
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