Speech and Language Therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a rare speech disorder. It may also be referred to as Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia. It is caused by a difficulty with the messages from the brain which tell the muscles used for speech what to do.

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  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) can only be diagnosed by a Speech and Language Therapist. Assessment will take place over several sessions to rule out other possible speech sound disorders, such as inconsistent phonological disorder.

  • According to the charity Speech and Language UK, around 60 out of every 1,000 children will have a speech sound disorder, but only one in every 1,000 children will have CAS.

  • Our understanding of speech sound disorders is changing and improving all the time. At the moment, the main terms used are (as described by Dr Helen Stringer, Newcastle University):

    • Phonological Delay

    • Inconsistent Phonological Disorder

    • Consistent Phonological Disorder

    • Articulation Disorder

    • Childhood Apraxia of Speech

    • Dysarthria

    It is common for children to have more than one type of speech sound difficulty.

  • There is a good evidence base for speech and language therapy to help children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Currently the most promising interventions are:

    • Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC)

    • Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST)

    • The Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme (NDP3)

    These should be delivered by a Speech and Language Therapist.