Our CAS star, Caidan, was formally diagnosed in 2024 with apraxia and a severe phonological disorder; however, his speech therapist and occupational therapist have been helping him based on an informal diagnosis since 2023.  We didn’t think much until he was about 3 years old that his speech might not be like others’.  So, we started the process with his General Practitioner (GP), getting referrals and everything needed to help our star grow and learn to the best of his ability.

Additionally, we have gone through the first round of genetic testing which did not find any abnormalities in Caidan’s genes for CAS. We are now in the process of a second round, which includes more in-depth testing, including testing of myself & Caidan’s Dad.  This is being done through the Speech Translation Centre at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne (Australia). The results are several months away.

Caidan begins Prep (big school) in 2025. His kindergarten was wonderful, but unfortunately, the school he was enrolled to attend in 2025 was quite difficult, abrupt, and rude when the formal diagnosis was provided (the learning support teacher even acted like she had never met or spoken to us before and told us that if he couldn’t keep up with the fast pace of Prep in two months, he would have to leave the school – this was after he was already enrolled the previous year and the possibility of CAS was discussed!).  Thankfully, we found a wonderful school that is doing all it can to ensure Caidan’s start to his school journey is as encouraging and kind as possible.  They have even installed communication boards to assist!

The biggest challenges we have faced so far is understanding – sometimes we just cannot understand what Caidan is trying to say. We ask him to describe & we can usually work it out then. His big sister, however, has a talent for understanding what he is saying. The sibling bond.

Others who don’t know him also struggle, but we tell them about Apraxia. We also find difficulty with him processing – he knows what to do, but to sing a song, for example, along as a group or watching a video, he struggles with getting those words out. He does love to dance though, even if he is a little behind with the song.  Caidan LOVES to chat & always introduces himself, asks to play, is kind, empathic & a genius with math timetables at age 5!  He has received awards for his kindness, his listening & his positive attitude. We are very proud of him.  His favourite things are Lego, Minecraft, Mario Bros & the beach. He loves his family, his friends, his dogs & hugs.

The Apraxia Kids site has been wonderful to provide resources to his school & stories of others.  When we received the diagnosis, it was a bit of a moment, where as a parent, I looked to the future, without the now – I worried straight away at what his schooling would look like, if other kids would pick on him or if he would really struggle with the basics. I know he will struggle with reading & writing, but his strengths in other areas overcome that. I just know we’ll have to put in a little extra work for those harder things – no one can do everything & we know that we all need a little help in some areas more than others.

Advice: Find a great Speech Therapist. Find a great OT (we went through two OTs before finding the perfect fit for Caidan) & start with the basics. Acknowledge their strengths, like with any child & help with those things they need extra help with.  Being part of a community like Apraxia Kids helps to not make it such a scary journey.

Be inspired by more stories today and learn about how you can Give Hope!

Visit, FIND HOPE, GIVE HOPE