Apraxia Awareness Month: What is Childhood Apraxia?  

May is Apraxia Awareness Month, a time to shed light on Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), a rare and often misunderstood neurological disorder that affects a child’s ability to speak clearly. 

What Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech? 

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder in which a child’s brain struggles to plan and coordinate the precise movements necessary for speech. Children with CAS know what they want to say but have difficulty producing the correct sounds, syllables, and words. This difficulty is not due to muscle weakness but rather a disconnect between the brain’s intentions and the body’s ability to execute those intentions. 

Common Characteristics of CAS 

Children with CAS may exhibit: 

• Inconsistent speech errors: A word may be pronounced correctly one time and incorrectly another. 

• Difficulty with longer words or complex syllables: The more complex the word, the more errors occur. 

• Groping behaviors: Children may appear to be searching for the correct sound or word. This may present as repetitive movements of the mouth, lips, tongue, or jaw as a child attempts to produce a specific sound or word. 

• Errors in prosody (rhythm and stress): This includes incorrect use of tone, stress, or rhythm in speech. 

• Vowel distortions: Vowel sounds may be distorted or unclear. 

• Silent or omitted sounds: Parts of words may be left out or barely audible. For example, “ah” for “cat”.  

• Delayed speech development: First words may appear later than expected, and speech progress may be slow. 

Why Is Speech Therapy So Important? 

Early and intensive speech therapy is crucial for children with CAS. Without intervention, CAS does not improve on its own. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use specialized techniques to help children improve their speech clarity and communication skills. 

Role of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): 

• Designs individualized therapy plans: Tailored to the child’s specific speech patterns and needs.  

• Uses repetitive, structured practice: Helps the brain form correct motor pathways. 

• Introduces visual, tactile, and auditory cues: Assists with sound production. 

• Helps with oral-motor coordination: Ensures accurate sequencing of sounds. 

• Teaches compensatory strategies: For when a communication breakdown occurs.  

• Speech therapists may introduce Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC): Tools such as picture boards or speech-generating devices to support communication. 

How You Can Support Apraxia Awareness 

• Wear blue: During Apraxia Awareness Month to show support. 

• Share resources: Distribute information about CAS to parents, teachers, and caregivers. Please see resources below:  

• https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/ 

• https://www.apraxia-kids.org/ 

• https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/apraxia-speech  

• Support organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations like Apraxia Kids or local speech clinics. 

• Educate others: Raise awareness about CAS and advocate for early screening and intervention.  

Conclusion 

Childhood Apraxia of Speech requires understanding to treat effectively. By raising awareness and supporting affected children and their families, we can make a significant difference in their lives. If you suspect a child may have CAS, consult a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation. Try out our Apraxia Maze to learn more about CAS!

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