Pediatric Speech Therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Does your child struggle to express themselves clearly, or get frustrated when they are frequently misunderstood? This could be a sign of a condition called childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a disorder that affects a child’s ability to say the words they want to say.
At Fluens Children’s Therapy, our expert team understands the unique challenges of childhood apraxia of speech. Through personalized and compassionate therapy, we help children build the skills they need to communicate more effectively and confidently.
What Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a disorder where the brain struggles to send the right signals to the muscles used for speech (i.e., the tongue, lips, and throat).
It’s not that the child’s muscles are weak or that they don’t know what they want to say. Children with CAS often know exactly what they want to say, but they struggle with planning and coordinating the right movements of their mouth to say it.
As a result, children with CAS often experience difficulty pronouncing words consistently, even though they do understand language. Our pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) can help children develop these complex motor skills and empower them to express themselves more freely.
Common Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood apraxia of speech can show up in different ways, but some common signs to watch out for include:
- Having difficulty imitating sounds, words, or phrases
- Using limited vocabulary
- Producing speech sounds inconsistently
- Struggling to say longer words or phrases
- Speaking with a “choppy” flow where they pause between syllables or words
- Getting frustrated when trying to communicate
What Causes Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
The exact cause of childhood apraxia of speech isn’t always clear. In some cases, it may be associated with other developmental conditions, such as autism. In other cases, a child may have experienced a brain injury that led to CAS symptoms.
While CAS doesn’t have a definitive cause, what we do know is that the right therapy can make a real difference. With consistent, focused support, children with CAS can make significant improvements in their ability to speak clearly and fluently.
How Pediatric Speech Therapy Can Treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech
At Fluens Children’s Therapy, we help kids with childhood apraxia of speech with tools designed to gradually improve their speech clarity and coordination. Our SLPs use research-backed techniques that focus on building motor planning skills and consistency in sound production.
Through fun, interactive sessions, we help children master the small steps needed to say words and phrases accurately. Whether you visit us in-person or choose our convenient online therapy option, we are committed to supporting your child’s progress toward fluent and confident speech.
Reach Out Today to Get Started
Ready to help your child find their voice? Contact Fluens Children’s Therapy to schedule an evaluation and learn how we can support your child’s speech development so they can express themselves freely!
Reach out to our team in University Place, WA, at (253) 212-3502 or our team in Columbia, TN, at (931) 982-6092 to schedule an evaluation today.