Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech: What Parents Need to Know

Written By Becky Bruso

What does it look like, and how can you help your child?

Apraxia of Speech is a neurological motor speech disorder, and requires intensive practice in order to learn motor-patterns for accurate speech sounds.

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)?

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological motor speech disorder that affects how a child plans and produces speech movements. In simple terms, the brain has difficulty sending the correct messages to the mouth muscles needed for speech—even though those muscles are not weak.

Children with CAS know what they want to say, but their brain struggles to coordinate the precise movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw required to say it.

Unlike typical speech delays, CAS is not something children simply “grow out of.” Progress requires targeted, consistent intervention and support, even into adolescence and adulthood.

Hallmarks of Childhood Apraxia of Speech

While every child is unique, there are several key characteristics often associated with CAS:

Variable Production

Children with CAS may say the same word differently each time. This inconsistency is a hallmark feature and reflects difficulty planning speech movements.

Groping Movements

You may notice a child visibly “searching” for the right mouth position—this is called groping. It can look like trial-and-error movements of the lips or tongue as they attempt to produce a sound.

Difficulty with Prosody (Speech Rhythm)

Children may place stress on the wrong syllables or words, making their speech sound unusual or choppy.

Seeking Other Communication Avenues

Because speech is challenging, many children naturally turn to other ways to communicate—such as gestures, signs, or communication devices. These are not setbacks; they are valuable tools that support communication while speech develops.

Speech Therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Speech therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for CAS. A licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) works closely with the child to improve speech planning and coordination. Currently there are only a handful of programs that show evidence of improving CAS, including:

Key aspects of effective therapy include:

  • Frequent, intensive sessions – often multiple times per week, especially early on

  • Motor-based practice – focusing on planning and sequencing movements rather than strengthening muscles

  • Repetition and consistency – children need many opportunities to practice speech patterns

  • Multi-sensory cues – using visual, tactile, and auditory feedback to support learning

Therapy may also include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools, such as picture boards or speech-generating devices, to help children communicate effectively while developing verbal speech.

Importantly, therapy is highly individualized and often evolves as the child progresses.

Tips for Parents at Home

  • Parents play a vital role in supporting their child’s communication journey. Here are practical ways to help at home:

    • Practice regularly—but keep it fun
      Short, engaging practice sessions are more effective than long, stressful ones.

    • Use what the SLP teaches
      Reinforcing therapy strategies at home helps children generalize their skills.

    • Encourage all forms of communication
      Gestures, signs, and AAC are helpful—not harmful—and can reduce frustration.

    • Be patient with progress
      CAS takes time and consistent effort. Celebrate small wins along the way.

    • Model clear, slow speech
      Giving your child a clear example helps them process and imitate sounds.

    • Create opportunities to communicate
      Offer choices, ask questions, and pause to give your child time to respond.

Take the Next Step

If you suspect your child may have Childhood Apraxia of Speech, or any expressive language delay, early intervention can make a meaningful difference. Working with a knowledgeable speech-language pathologist can help your child build confidence and develop stronger communication skills.

Reach out today for a free consultation to learn how personalized speech therapy can support your child’s growth. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone—help is available, and progress is possible. (385) 246-2684

📚 Further Reading…

Becky Bruso
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