Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis of Childhood Apraxia of Speech Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), also called Apraxia of Speech (AOS) or developmental apraxia, is an oral motor speech disorder. Perhaps that’s why I was bewildered, angry and utterly devastated when I missed those very signs in my own child. Speech therapy for children with apraxia is beneficial and can help your child better manage their symptoms. Treatment approaches related to apraxia work on helping individuals improve the “plan” for their muscles, and training the muscles to move correctly. Symptoms are usually noticed in the early stages of life as the child develops. CAS can also be referred to as dyspraxia, developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD), or speech apraxia. The Brain directs the Muscles for Speech movement. CAS is a speech disorder that can start to show when a child is learning to speak. Symptoms of Apraxia. More difficulty using longer words, either all the time or sometimes 4. Apraxia of speech can be very frustrating because it prevents people from communicating properly. Distorted, repeated, or left out speech sounds or words. Childhood apraxia of speech can range from mild to severe. If the SLP provides a childhood apraxia of speech diagnosis, a course of treatment can be decided on. The person has difficulty putting words together in the correct order. Childhood apraxia of speech is a complex condition that has different symptoms varying from individual to individual. I urge all SLPs to learn more about CAS, because the disorder requires a specialized approach different from other commonly used treatments for speech and language delays. The muscles are able to follow the plan, but the plan is incorrect. There are a number of different reasons that a child may have difficulty learning to speak. When thinking about the rhythm of words or phrases, say, “I need help, please,” naturally pausing slightly after saying “help.” Then, saying “I need, help please,” pausing slightly after saying “need.” Individuals with AOS may make errors related to stress or rhythm. Other possible signs of apraxia of speech are: Increased mistakes in longer or more difficult and complex syllables and words. If an individual has difficulty producing the /r/ sound due to AOS, the word “red” may sound like “ted,” or “ed.” AOS can be mild, which means that an individual only has difficulty producing a few speech sounds, or it may be severe, and an individual’s speech is very difficult to understand. Other individuals with acquired AOS benefit from speech therapy, where an SLP can do an evaluation and administer specific tests and provide specific intervention to help an individual improve their correct production of speech sounds. Acquired apraxia is typically caused by a traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, brain tumor, and other neurodegenerative disorders. An SLP can provide treatment for AOS. This may affect speech, writing, gestures or drawing, and causes problems with everyday tasks like using the telephone, writing an email, or speaking to family and friends. The brain is unable to properly create the “plan” for the muscles related to speaking, which means that individuals with AOS are sometimes unable to produce certain speech sounds. Children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) may have many speech symptoms or characteristics that vary depending on their age and the severity of their speech problems.CAS can be associated with: 1. Depending on the cause of apraxia, a number of other brain or nervous system problems may be present. Therapy Tools! an individual is able to produce the /b/ sound before the /r/ sound), but individuals with childhood AOS do not master the production of speech sounds following natural developmental patterns. The main symptom of apraxia is an inability to carry out simple movements, even though a person with apraxia has full use of their body and understands commands to move. Individuals with childhood AOS will likely not be able to improve their ability to produce speech sounds without intervention. It appears to be more common in boys than girls. To evaluate your child's condition, your child's speech-language pathologist will review your child's symptoms and medical history, conduct an examination of the muscles used for speech, and examine how your child produces speech sounds, words and phrases.Your child's speech-language pathologist will also assess your child's language skills, such as his or her vocabulary, sentence structure and ability to understand speech.Diagnosis of CAS isn't based on any single test or observation. Apraxia of speech is also known as dyspraxia, developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD) or childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). CAS is a relatively rare disorder. She's CASANA-certified for advanced training and clinical expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and often speaks at conferences and consults for school districts or other professionals. The “plan” from the brain is correct, but the muscles aren’t able to follow the plan. What are the Signs and Symptoms? It's not a common condition. 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