Now that you know what apraxia is (and if you don’t, head on over here for a definition and here for some signs and symptoms), maybe you think your kiddo might have it.
There are a few different opinions out there about who actually gives the “official” diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech.
Some people think it’s a pediatrician, others believe it’s a neurologist (since it has neurological origins), and then there are those of us who understand that an SLP is really the professional that is qualified to give the diagnosis of CAS.
Another reason why it’s so important to find an SLP who knows their stuff when it comes to CAS. Unfortunately there’s not one test that can be given to confidently give a diagnosis of CAS.
Trained SLPs will look at a number of areas, including:
- Receptive (understanding) and expressive (use) language skills
- Speech sound production at both the phoneme (individual sound), word, phrase, and conversation level
- Social skills
- Non-speech motor movements
- Structure of the articulators (lips, tongue, teeth, hard and soft palate, cheeks, jaw)
- Any other areas of development that may be affected and require referrals to other professionals
- Gross (big muscle) and Fine (small muscle) motor (a recommendation to an OT occurs frequently with children with CAS)
- Feeding/Picky Eating
- Sensory processing
- Behavior
- Social-emotional aspects
On top of all of that…. If your little guy isn’t verbal just yet, an official diagnosis cannot be given. Sometimes people will say a diagnosis of CAS can’t be given until the child is 7 years old… or 5 years old… or 3 years old… See how confusing this can all get??
Really, the age of the child isn’t as important as the verbal skills.
Technically, childhood apraxia of speech can only be determined by observing the speech patterns of a child. As more information on the disorder surfaces and more SLPs are being trained in accurately identifying children. Also, we are better able to diagnose at an earlier age and can use the category of suspected childhood apraxia of speech (sCAS) for children who have many of the symptoms of CAS but are not yet speaking or using enough verbalizations to give an official diagnosis.
Once you get the diagnosis of CAS, or even just a working diagnosis of sCAS, it’s important for your child to start getting speech therapy services as soon as possible. Research has shown that for children with CAS, sCAS, or other motor speech disorders, shorter and more frequent speech therapy sessions are more beneficial. That means lots and lots and lots of repetition of sounds, phrases, and patterns of movement in order to build in those motor pathways. Ever heard of muscle memory? Kinda the same thing… We want our kiddos to learn 
the motor patterns of speech so it becomes more natural for them.
Since we’re on the topic of muscle movements… one of the first recommendations I make for children who have CAS, sCAS, or another motor speech disorder is for occupational therapy services. Many times a child with a motor speech disorder also could benefit from working on motor planning, sensory integration, or other areas of development that occupational therapists target.
Depending on the needs of your little one, some other services might be recommended, such as:
- Feeding therapy
- Behavior intervention
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Family counseling
- Academic support
Regardless of how many services your child receives, know that YOU mom are an important team member. Build your tribe, hear what they have to say, and then determine what’s gonna work best for you and your family. And don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t agree with something or have an idea on how things could go a little differently. Don’t forget… YOU GOT THIS!