If your child has been diagnosed with—or is being assessed for—Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), you’re likely facing a flood of new terms, therapy plans, and mixed emotions. And while apraxia can sound overwhelming, understanding what it is (and what it isn’t) can go a long way in making the road ahead feel more manageable.
In simple terms, CAS is a motor speech disorder that affects how a child’s brain plans and coordinates the movements needed for clear speech. It’s not about intelligence or understanding—it’s about getting the message from the brain to the mouth.
Here’s what every parent should know about apraxia of speech—and how the right support can make a world of difference.
1. It’s a Motor Planning Challenge
Children with apraxia know what they want to say. Their ideas, thoughts, and language may be fully formed—but their brain struggles to send the right signals to the muscles involved in speech.
Think of it like knowing the choreography to a dance but having trouble executing the moves fluidly. Speech becomes effortful, inconsistent, and slow to develop.
“Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a neurological speech disorder where motor planning breakdowns disrupt the ability to produce sounds and syllables accurately.”
(ASHA, 2022. Childhood Apraxia of Speech)
2. Expect Inconsistency
One of the hallmark signs of apraxia is inconsistent speech errors. Your child might pronounce “butterfly” clearly one moment and struggle with it the next.
This isn’t forgetfulness or regression—it’s a reflection of the disorder itself. Because the brain struggles to plan each movement, outcomes can vary from one attempt to the next.
“Inconsistency of production, especially for longer or more complex words, is a key diagnostic feature of CAS.”
(Maas et al., 2021. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research)
3. It’s Not Just About Repeating Sounds
Unlike typical articulation therapy, treatment for apraxia focuses on helping the brain learn and refine movement patterns. That means:
- Practising word sequences
- Using visual, tactile, and auditory cues
- Varying practice across contexts
- High-frequency sessions
The goal is to help the brain build new, reliable pathways for speech.
“Motor-based treatment approaches using multisensory input and distributed practice yield the best outcomes for CAS.”
(Murray et al., 2019. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology)
4. Apraxia Is Specific to Speech
Children with CAS often have normal understanding, social awareness, and cognitive abilities. The challenge is isolated to speech production—although other speech or language difficulties may also be present.
This is why a thorough assessment by a speech pathologist is so important. It helps clarify whether CAS is present on its own or as part of a broader communication profile.
“Comprehensive assessment is required to distinguish CAS from other speech or phonological disorders and to guide appropriate intervention.”
(Iuzzini-Seigel, 2022. Topics in Language Disorders)
5. Progress Takes Time—But It Happens
Supporting a child with apraxia isn’t a quick fix. It’s a long-term journey that often extends through the early school years. But with the right therapy, consistency, and encouragement, children can make significant gains.
Each milestone—whether it’s a clear word, a confident sentence, or a breakthrough moment—is worth celebrating.
“Treatment for CAS is typically intensive and ongoing, but positive long-term outcomes are well documented with proper support.”
(Strand & McCauley, 2020. Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech)
Support for Families Navigating Apraxia
If you’re parenting a child with apraxia, know that you’re not alone—and help is available. At JK Speech and Health, our team is experienced in diagnosing and supporting children with CAS using evidence-based, individualised approaches.
Book a consultation today to learn more about our tailored therapy plans and how we can work together to support your child’s unique communication journey.
