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Apraxia Kids supports parents and professionals in understanding and raising awareness for childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Upon hearing the diagnosis for the first time, the amount of information can be overwhelming. This guide will help you answer some of the questions you may be having.

What is childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)?

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a neurological motor speech disorder that makes it hard for children to speak. Children with the diagnosis of apraxia of speech generally have a good understanding of language and know what they want to say. However, they have difficulty learning or carrying out the complex movements that underlie speech. There are often co-occurring challenges that can last into adulthood in the areas of residual speech errors, language, reading/literacy, academics, and social skills. There is no cure, but with intensive and appropriate speech therapy, most children learn to produce intelligible speech and can overcome many of their challenges.

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Introduction

No doubt if you are the parent of a child recently diagnosed with apraxia of speech, you are struggling with many emotions about this news. You are not alone in feeling this way, and learning about apraxia is the first step in helping your child. Your child is brimming with potential, and you are on the path to becoming an informed and educated advocate.

What is the difference between CAS and a speech delay?

A true developmental delay of speech is when a child is following a “typical” path of speech development, although at a rate slower than normal. A child with apraxia of speech is on a “different” path, and has difficulty planning the movement sequences required for speech. This may result in inconsistent errors and difficultly with smooth transitions from sound to sound or syllable to syllable to form words, phrases, and sentences.

How is CAS Diagnosed?

An SLP with experience evaluating and treating children with apraxia can test your child’s speech and language. The SLP will test how well your child understands language (receptive language) as well as the type and length of utterance he/she uses (expressive language). To test for CAS, the SLP will look at your child’s oral-motor skills, motor speech skills, and speech melody (prosody).

What makes speech therapy different for children with Apraxia?

Because the main problem of CAS is speech motor planning and programming, a speech therapy approach needs to focus on the actual sequenced movements of speech structures and muscles during speech attempts. The approach used by the therapist should aid the child in producing clearer and more accurate words, phrases, and sentences that result in clearer spontaneous speech.

Will my child ever speak normally?

Many factors influence a child’s journey through therapy for childhood apraxia of speech, like severity of the disorder, comorbid disorders (e.g. autism), and frequency of therapy. Professional articles and experienced SLPs report that most children with CAS, with appropriate help, eventually achieve optimal verbal communication to some degree.

Resources

Interested in learning more about childhood apraxia of speech? Use the links below to increase your knowledge on how this disorder may affect your child.

LEARN MORE

Interested in learning more about childhood apraxia of speech? Use the links below to increase your knowledge on how this disorder may affect your child.

Learn More

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Attend our events (virtually or in person) to increase your network of support! Our programs are here to educate and support you, as well as our professional community!

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New Parent Folder

Discover what resources are available to children with apraxia of speech in our new parent folder! Featuring brochures and rack cards that can help educate family, friends, and teachers about childhood apraxia of speech in simple, easy to understand terms.

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You Are Not Alone

Many parents have been where you are, at the start of this journey. Read their stories of hope and support!

“My grandson Evan has battled with Apraxia for the past 7 years since his diagnosis. Through countless hours and years of hard work he continues to overcome the challenges of communication that so many of us take for granted. While communication comes more naturally for him now, the daily challenges of apraxia continue to shape his life. The success of the battle is in many ways dependent on the resources and strength of the apraxia community. We are grateful for the Apraxia Kids organization for the guidance provided to us in this journey. “
“Our son was diagnosed with CAS right after his third birthday and after attending speech therapy for a year. Luckily, his speech therapist pointed us to a great organization called Apraxia Kids. They provide support to families and speech therapists alike. They are a great community where parents can get support from other parents who understand what they are going through. Apraxia Kids also helps professionals learn more about CAS. Apraxia Kids has amazing programs that are helping bring awareness of CAS and helping every kid find their voice.”
“Our son was diagnosed with Apraxia at three years old. We had never heard of apraxia, but felt like sponges ready to soak up all we could to better position ourselves as his advocate. I’m grateful to this day for the Apraxia Kids Facebook groups and website, which gave me access to resources and support. The feeling of community is palpable and the celebration and love for all our children leaves a lasting impact.”
“There is nothing better than giving back to a great organization like Apraxia Kids. A lot of times as a parent you feel helpless watching your child struggle with apraxia but by raising donations you are doing something important and taking control of the situation. You can feel good knowing you are helping your children feel special about themselves!”
“Our son was diagnosed with apraxia at 2 years old. We want to fundraise and contribute to Apraxia Kids as they help all of these amazing children who need so much support! It takes an entire community! They are so vital to this journey for families.”
“Finding and receiving services and support for apraxia has been a long and tiresome journey. The Apraxia Kids website brought me my first hope in learning to treat apraxia and find support. With the Apraxia Kids support groups, I no longer felt I was on my own. Other families were able to offer some tips and a caring ear to my concerns.”
“When our daughter was diagnosed, we had no idea what childhood apraxia of speech was. We scoured the internet looking for answers to our many questions, and were pleased to find Apraxia Kids. It has been an amazing resource for our family, friends, and educators as we all work to understand and raise awareness for this disorder.”
“Every dollar raised helps support children with apraxia of speech. I believe in the work Apraxia Kids does to strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia so that each child is afforded their best opportunity to develop to their full potential. This is why we spread awareness!”
“Our son received an iPad from the Speech Tablet program three years ago. We were in a major transition in our life and we couldn’t financially afford an iPad. We wanted every tool we could get to help him on this journey. The iPad has been an amazing tool for him. Now, we hope the money we raise for Apraxia Kids, no matter how much or how little, can help other families on this journey.”
“When we were new to this diagnosis, we needed the hope that others provided. The progress that our son has made throughout his apraxia journey is extraordinary, and I have no doubt that the Apraxia Kids family has maintained my peace of mind for many years now. We want others to experience the love from the organization and the local families as we have.”
When you inform even one other person about childhood apraxia of speech, you are making the world a more understanding and compassionate place for children with CAS! Hear from our community members about why raising awareness is important to them!
“When we were new to this diagnosis, we needed the hope that others provided. The progress that our son has made throughout his apraxia journey is extraordinary, and I have no doubt that the Apraxia Kids family has maintained my peace of mind for many years now. We want others to experience the love from the organization and the local families as we have.”
“Our son received an iPad from the Speech Tablet program three years ago. We were in a major transition in our life and we couldn’t financially afford an iPad. We wanted every tool we could get to help him on this journey. The iPad has been an amazing tool for him. Now, we hope the money we raise for Apraxia Kids, no matter how much or how little, can help other families on this journey.”
“Every dollar raised helps support children with apraxia of speech. I believe in the work Apraxia Kids does to strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia so that each child is afforded their best opportunity to develop to their full potential. This is why we spread awareness!”
“When our daughter was diagnosed, we had no idea what childhood apraxia of speech was. We scoured the internet looking for answers to our many questions, and were pleased to find Apraxia Kids. It has been an amazing resource for our family, friends, and educators as we all work to understand and raise awareness for this disorder.”
“Finding and receiving services and support for apraxia has been a long and tiresome journey. The Apraxia Kids website brought me my first hope in learning to treat apraxia and find support. With the Apraxia Kids support groups, I no longer felt I was on my own. Other families were able to offer some tips and a caring ear to my concerns.”
“Our son was diagnosed with apraxia at 2 years old. We want to fundraise and contribute to Apraxia Kids as they help all of these amazing children who need so much support! It takes an entire community! They are so vital to this journey for families.”
“There is nothing better than giving back to a great organization like Apraxia Kids. A lot of times as a parent you feel helpless watching your child struggle with apraxia but by raising donations you are doing something important and taking control of the situation. You can feel good knowing you are helping your children feel special about themselves!”
“Our son was diagnosed with Apraxia at three years old. We had never heard of apraxia, but felt like sponges ready to soak up all we could to better position ourselves as his advocate. I’m grateful to this day for the Apraxia Kids Facebook groups and website, which gave me access to resources and support. The feeling of community is palpable and the celebration and love for all our children leaves a lasting impact.”
“Our son was diagnosed with CAS right after his third birthday and after attending speech therapy for a year. Luckily, his speech therapist pointed us to a great organization called Apraxia Kids. They provide support to families and speech therapists alike. They are a great community where parents can get support from other parents who understand what they are going through. Apraxia Kids also helps professionals learn more about CAS. Apraxia Kids has amazing programs that are helping bring awareness of CAS and helping every kid find their voice.”
“My grandson Evan has battled with Apraxia for the past 7 years since his diagnosis. Through countless hours and years of hard work he continues to overcome the challenges of communication that so many of us take for granted. While communication comes more naturally for him now, the daily challenges of apraxia continue to shape his life. The success of the battle is in many ways dependent on the resources and strength of the apraxia community. We are grateful for the Apraxia Kids organization for the guidance provided to us in this journey. “