Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological disorder where children have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed to speak, despite knowing what they want to say. Children with CAS may exhibit inconsistent sounds, groping movements of the mouth, and great effort to produce speech. Treatment focuses on consistent practice of sounds and signs to supplement communication. While progress varies, mild cases may achieve typical speech, while more severe cases may benefit from devices to communicate.

1. Childhood Apraxia of
Speech
Kaitlin Knutson, M.A., CF

2. What is CAS?
 CAS is neurological disorder where children have trouble
planning motor movements of their articulators (i.e.
lips, tongue, cheeks, etc)
 Children often know exactly what they want to say, but
cannot get their lips and tongue to move in a way to
produce the target sounds/words

3. Does your child…
 Limited babbling or cooing
 Make the same consonant or vowel sound for most of
their vocalizations (a, o, b, m)
 Understand a lot more language/words than they can
say
 General clumsy motor movements
(walking, running, sitting, coloring, eating, etc)
 Appears to take a huge effort to make a sound

4. Does your child…
 Mouth groping: lips and tongue seem to move around
before the correct spot for the target sound
 Inconsistent sounds (i.e. if your child is trying to say
“ba” for “ball”, they may say “bi”, the next attempt
may sound like “mo”, then “pu”, then “ba”)

5. Resource
Here is a great resource with reliable information if you
would like to do your own research:
www.apraxia-kids.org

6. How are CAS and articulation errors
different?
CAS Articulation Errors
 Inconsistent errors: One  Consistent sounds errors:
time your child says “ba” your child cannot say /b/
easily and the next time is or /d/, etc in all words
very difficult
 Motor movements are quick
 Slow motor movements and talking does not seem
makes talking hard to be hard
 Inconsistent vowels in word  Consistent vowels in word
approximations (i.e. say approximations (i.e. “ba”
“bu” for “bee”, and “bo” for “ba”).
for “ba”.

7. CAS
Here is a video clip that shows examples of Childhood
Apraxia of Speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKGGMfngRa4

8. What does this mean?
(treatment approach)
 Consistent practice of same sounds and syllable shapes
multiple times each day
 Musical intonation/singing songs helps with motor
movement
 Practice everyday helps to create maximum amount of
change.
 Sign language can be used to supplement speech to help
get wants and needs met.

9. Prognosis
 Progress in individuals with CAS varies
 Individuals with milder forms of CAS may grow up to
have typical language and/or have mild articulation
errors
 Individuals with more severe forms of CAS may have
slower speech or may benefit from devices to
supplement communication

10. iPad and Smartphone Apps
The following apps can be used with children with CAS to
encourage imitation and vocal play. The key is to
establish a routine with each app, so that there are a
few words that will be repeated throughout the whole
use of app. Adult should control use of app and place
expectations on child.
 Balloon Animals
 Toca Hair Salon
 Cars in Sandbox
 Talking Tom
 My Play Home

11. Resources/Handouts
 Family Start Guide (details on CAS):
http://www.apraxia-
kids.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=chKMI0PIIsE&b=
839037
 I have other copyrighted handouts on CAS, please ask
me if you like copies of these handouts