Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Description:

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a rare, neurologically-based speech disorder where the child knows what he wants to say but the message gets mixed up in the motor-planning and execution phase so the sounds come out all wrong. Though the diagnosis of CAS is relatively new, experts have agreed that CAS usually includes these 3 generally-agreed upon components:

Inconsistent errors on consonants and vowels in repeated productions of syllables or words(meaning that if the child says the same word many times, it may sound differently each time)
Lengthened and disrupted coarticulatory transitions (meaning that the child’s speech sounds choppy or disconnected due to trouble transitioning between sounds or between words in older children)
Inappropriate prosody, especially in the realization of lexical or phrasal stress between sounds and syllables (meaning that the rhythm, intonation, and stress of speech may sound off, the child may sound robotic, have incorrect phrasing, or stress the wrong words or syllables)

Overview:

Watch this hour-long webinar recording to get a full overview of the four components of therapy that must be considered for a child with CAS:

Task Analysis (How To):

Now comes the fun part! Here’s where we break this larger skill down into manageable, bite-size pieces. Here’s how to break this skill down for therapy:

Speech Sound Production: Target production of speech sounds to create functional, meaningful spoken communication for the child.
Language Development: Help the child develop a full set of language skills, including the ability to build sentences and have conversations.
Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC): Not all children with CAS will require an AAC device or system, but some will. This should be at least considered for every child with this diagnosis.
Prosody: Help the child learn to use his voice fluidly and functionally to create correct intonation and pausing.

Activities:

Now for some practical strategies and activities that you can do in therapy for each of these steps. Click on the task analysis level to drop down the list of activities:

1. Speech Sound Production

This is the area that always comes to mind first. How can I help him learn to say the sounds and words correctly? Here are two resources with great ideas for therapy:

2. Language Development

Another key element to helping children with apraxia is developing a full set of language skills. Often, we forget that these children’s language skills are more advanced receptively than their expression due to their limited speech output. For that reason, we may need to work on higher level language skills either receptively or with AAC so that the child has a chance to practice full mastery of language skills until their speech mechanism “catches up”.

Here are some resources for how to teach language skills:

3. AAC

Not every child who has CAS will require an AAC system or device. However, many children with CAS will to communicate in at least some situations. AAC can help alleviate stress and frustration in these situations which can actually improve speech outcomes. Here is a great resource for using AAC with children:

AAC Therapy Activity Database

4. Prosody

Children with CAS often struggle with prosody, especially in the realization of lexical or phrasal stress between sounds and syllables (meaning that the rhythm, intonation, and stress of speech may sound off, the child may sound robotic, have incorrect phrasing, or stress the wrong words or syllables). For more information on treating prosody, check out our voice therapy database:

Voice and Resonance Therapy Activities Database

Troubleshooting:

What do you do if these things don’t work the way they’re supposed to? Well, nothing’s ever easy, is it? Try these great troubleshooting tips that some of our other members have found helpful. Click the problem to drop down the link to the solution.

How Do You Write Goals for an Unintelligible Child with CAS?

How Do I Incorporate Motor Learning Theory into my CAS Therapy?

Motor Learning Theory has a lot to do with helping children with CAS. Find out how!

How Do I Know if a Child has CAS vs. Phonological Disorder?

This video will explain the differences between CAS and Phonological Delay/Disorder:

How Does Therapy Look for a Toddler with CAS?

Here are some quick therapy suggestions for a toddler with CAS:

How Does Therapy Look for Older Children?

What do we do once we get past those initial phases? How does therapy look then? Take a look at this quick video for some great therapy ideas:

What Classroom Supports Can We Add for a Child with CAS?

When children with CAS are highly unintelligible, we may need to add additional classroom supports to help them succeed. Here are some ideas:

I need worksheets for CV, VC, CVC, and CVCV words.

Additional Worksheets: