“My child knows to talk but struggles when asked to talk.”
“He told it right yesterday, but today he is just not able to. This pattern is becoming a habit now.”
“He is perfect with his sounds, but words and sentences are impossible.”
“It’s like she is playing hide and seek in her mouth. She keeps searching for the right places inside her mouth to make the sounds.”
“Even as a mother, I don’t understand her speech.”
“Sometimes, I feel like talking to a robot. His speech is so dull and monotonous.”
“I remember him making very little sounds as a baby. He also started talking very late.”
“My kid is often frustrated when asked to speak. He says it is tiring and others don’t understand him.”
“She starts okay, but her talking becomes very effortful and unclear after sometime.”
As a parent, do you relate to any of the above statements? Or, have you ever heard one of these from a friend? Or, do you know a child who struggles this way?
Well, the answer to these concerns is probably ‘Apraxia of Speech’; specifically, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
So, what is apraxia of speech? It is a motor speech disorder caused due to neurological damage. Such damage can occur from stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumours or other diseases. The major symptom of apraxia is an inability to execute voluntary movements despite having normal muscle tone and coordination. In simple terms, the muscles are capable of normal functioning, but faulty programming from the brain prevents the completion of precise, purposeful movements.
Families seeking professional care can access expert-led speech therapy Dubai programs tailored to each child’s needs.
What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
CAS is a paediatric speech disorder. This implies it will have effects during the developmental stages of a child. Hence, the underlying motor impairment has a significant negative impact on speech including phonologic and linguistic development. CAS can occur due to genetic factors, neurodevelopmental disorders or brain injuries.Working with a certified speech and language pathologist ensures accurate diagnosis and effective treatment strategies for apraxia.
At Bridges Speech Center, we provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy to support children with apraxia on their communication journey.
Identification of CAS is challenging because symptoms are also associated with other communicative disorders. These may include speech delay, fluency disorder, expressive and receptive language disorder, literacy disorder, phonological disorder or dysarthria. This is complicated by the fact that CAS often co-occurs with one or more of these other communicative disorders. However, CAS has certain specific markers.
- Inconsistent errors on speech sounds in repeated productions of syllables or words
- Lengthened and disrupted articulatory transitions between sounds and syllables
- Inappropriate prosody (speech rhythm and intonation)
Having said that, it is time to move on to the bigger question.
Does Childhood Apraxia of Speech go away?
This is a common question in the mind of parents dealing with this situation. While there are a number of myths going around, let’s discuss some of them and get our facts right.
1. Myth: Children will outgrow CAS as they get older.
Fact: No, CAS will not just go away with age. CAS is a disorder that is a result of a disruption in motor planning. Children need consistent, specialized speech therapy to improve communication. Without therapy, difficulties are likely to persist.Early intervention through speech therapy for children can make a significant difference in improving communication and confidence.
2. Myth: Like every other disorder, CAS can be cured with a bit of speech practice.
Fact: Progress with CAS is usually slow and steady. Therapy often takes a long period of time and requires frequent, intensive sessions. Repetition and motor learning are essential for lasting improvement.
3. Myth: If a child starts saying a few words correctly, CAS is no longer a concern.
Fact: Even when speech improves, children with CAS may continue to struggle with longer words, connected speech, literacy, and prosody. Support may be needed, especially in school years.
4. Myth: CAS is just a speech delay. Many kids start talking late and there is nothing to worry about.
Fact: CAS is not a simple delay. It is a motor speech disorder that stems from deeper causes where the brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the muscle movements for speech, even though muscles are not weak. Early diagnosis and intervention help in better prognosis.
5. Myth: Speech therapy for CAS is same as the therapy for delayed speech and language skills.
Fact: Children with CAS need a specialized, motor-based approach (e.g., Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing, PROMPT). General articulation therapy is often not enough.
In conclusion, CAS does not “go away” on its own. However, with early, consistent, and individualized therapy, many children make significant progress and can become effective communicators.
At Bridges Speech Center, we offer speech and language diagnostic services, evidence-based practices and therapy approaches to help people across age groups. Do you know someone who might benefit from our services? Do not hesitate to reach out; we are just a phone call away!
