Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a neurological childhood speech sound disorder in which the precision and consistency of movements underlying speech are impaired in the absence of neuromuscular deficits (e.g. abnormal reflexes, abnormal tone). CAS may occur as a result of known neurological impairment, in association with complex neurobehavioral disorders of known and unknown origin, or as an idiopathic neurogenic speech sound disorder. The core impairment in planning and/or programming spatiotemporal parameters of movement sequences results in errors in speech sound production and prosody” (ASHA, 2007a, Definitions of CAS section, para. 1).

At PTA, our speech-language pathologists are skilled practitioners in the treatment of CAS. The treatment for CAS requires a specialized therapeutic approach that encompasses increasing the child’s motor planning skills to form sounds into syllables, syllables into words and words in sentences. Family education and involvement in the treatment plan and goals is essential for success!!