Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder. It happens when your child’s brain struggles to plan and coordinate the mouth movements they need for speech.
CAS makes it hard for your child to say words clearly and get sounds in the right order. This can make it hard for other people to understand what your child is saying.
The exact cause of CAS is unknown. Sometimes it happens on its own. Other times, it happens along with genetic (passed down through genes) or medical conditions.
A speech-language pathologist can listen to the way your child says sounds and watch the way their mouth moves. This helps them diagnose CAS and provide treatment.
It’s also important to have your child’s hearing tested. Hearing issues can affect your child’s speech.
Signs of CAS
A child with CAS may show the following signs:
- Making speech sounds that are unclear. For example, letting air escape from the sides of the mouth making the “s” sound slushy.
- Saying the wrong vowel sound. For example, saying “two” instead of “toe.”
- Having trouble with longer words or putting sounds in the right order. For example, saying “aminal” instead of “animal.”
- Saying the same word differently each time. For example, first they may say “buttercup” and then say “buttertup,” then “buttertut.”
- Talking with an unusual or choppy rhythm.
- Putting stress on the wrong parts of a word. For example, “la-DY-bug” instead of “LA-dy-bug.”
- Struggling to position their lips, tongue, or jaw for speech. You might see your child’s mouth, lips, or tongue trying to find the right position for a sound.
Children with CAS might have issues with reading and language skills, such as learning words. They may also have other issues with coordination, like dressing, tying shoes, printing, or colouring.
How you can help
There are many things you can do to help a child with CAS with their speech:
Model speech
- Face your child when you talk to them.
- Help your child see, hear, and feel how your mouth is moving while you say different sounds.
- Encourage your child to watch you say a sound or word. For example, let them feel the air blowing out of your mouth for noisy sounds like “s,” or pop your hand away from your mouth as you say the “p” sound.
Be clear and slow down
- Talk slower and pause often to give your child time to listen and respond.
- Say hard or longer words slowly. Emphasize the parts of the words that are difficult for your child.
- Clearly repeat what your child is trying to tell you.
Respond to your child
- When talking to your child, focus on what they are trying to say.
- Notice and respond to what they’re trying to say, whether they use words or gestures.
- Ask simple yes-or-no questions, or give them 2 choices if you don’t understand.
- Try other ways to communicate, such as signs or pictures, if you think they may help your child.
Get professional help
- Talk to a speech-language pathologist about specific ideas for your child with CAS. Ask them about practice words and strategies that fit your child’s needs.
Where to get help
To learn how speech-language pathologists and audiologists can help with speech, language, and hearing concerns, contact your child’s healthcare provider or visit:
