Introduction to Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

FREE online video course taught by Dr. Edythe Strand provides an overview of CAS.

Description of the Online Course

This course provides an introduction to childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and describes how it differs from other speech sound disorders, such as a phonological disorder. The course reviews evidence-based assessment and treatment methods including videos that demonstrate different aspects of treatment supported by research. This is an excellent course for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), SLP students, parents, caregivers and family members who want to understand the general principles of assessment and treatment of CAS.

Target Audience: This course is designed for speech-language pathologists and parents/caregivers seeking introductory information about evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of CAS.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Availability: This course will be available for ASHA CEUs starting April 1, 2021 until April 1, 2026.

This course was recorded in June 2019 and is provided by the Once Upon a Time Foundation.

Online Video Course Objectives

As a result of this video presentation, the participant will be able to:

  1. describe three characteristics of CAS that distinguish it from other speech sound disorders and aid in differential diagnosis,
  2. describe three ways that treatment of CAS differs from more common phonological-based speech sound disorders,
  3. describe two benefits of using a dynamic motor speech examination in assessment of CAS,
  4. describe two evidence-based treatment methods for CAS, and
  5. describe three treatment techniques/strategies for CAS.

About the Instructor

Edythe Strand, PhD, CCC-SLP
Dr. Strand is an emeritus professor in the Mayo College of Medicine and former Head of the Division of Speech Pathology, Department of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in childhood apraxia of speech. Dr. Strand’s research focused on developmental, acquired and progressive apraxia of speech, and issues related to intelligibility and comprehensibility in degenerative dysarthria. She has a long history of clinical experience, including the public schools, private practice, and hospital and clinic settings. Dr. Strand developed The Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) approach for CAS treatment, which was found to be one of two motor-based treatment approaches with sufficient evidence for clinical use (Murray, et. al., 2014). Dr. Strand’s publications include many articles and book chapters related to motor speech disorders. She is the co-author of the books: Management of Speech and Swallowing in Degenerative Disease; Clinical Management of Motor Speech Disorders in Children and Adults; and is co-editor of the book, Clinical Management of Motor Speech Disorders in Children. She is an ASHA fellow and has been awarded Honors of the Association of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Speaker Disclosures:

  • Financial: Dr. Strand receives royalties from Pro-Ed and Thieme publishers for her books and from Brooks Publishing for the Dynamic Evaluation of Motor Speech Skills (DEMSS). She was paid a stipend by the Once Upon a Time Foundation for this online course.
  • Non-financial: Dr. Strand is on the Advisory Board for Apraxia Kids.

ASHA CEU Information

Course Outline

Introductory Video – Length: 2:55

  • Thomas Campbell, Ph.D., introduces the course presenter, Edythe Strand, Ph.D.

Course Video – Length: 1:16:10

  • Introduction and Disclosures (time marker 0:00)
  • What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)? (time marker 1:54)
  • Pediatric Speech/Language Disorders (time marker 11:28)
  • Why and How to Identify, Evaluate and Diagnose CAS (time marker 17:50)
  • Treatment and Principles of Motor Learning (time marker 39:45)
  • Treatment Planning and Implementation of Treatment Techniques (time marker 56:34)
  • Conclusions (time marker 1:13:16)

Treatment Video – Length: 16:24

  • Examples of Treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Total Course Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes

How to Complete the Course

  1. Click here to log-in and/or create an account.
  2. You will receive an email from WordPress to change your password.
  3. Click the link in the email and re-set your password, then log-in to access the course.
    1. Note: If you are having difficulty creating an account, review this document: Detailed instructions for accessing a course
  4. In the upper right hand corner, click “Edit Profile” then add your first and last name to the appropriate boxes, as you want them to appear on your completion certificate.
  5. Complete all sections of the course, including all three videos in their entirety. You must mark each course section as “Complete” before advancing to the next section. The videos may be watched and reviewed as many times as desired. If at some point the course does not allow you to advance, try refreshing the page.
  6. Complete the Participant Form and Program Evaluation form (Google forms), regardless of whether you want your results to be reported to ASHA. There is an option to select “not a member of the ASHA registry” if you do not want your results reported. Be sure to complete the information accurately, as this will be sent to ASHA if you are a member of the ASHA registry. Please use the same email address that you used to register for the course because that is how your course completion is verified. Using a different email address may result in you not getting credit. If you do not complete these forms, your information will not be reported to ASHA. You can only receive ASHA credit for the course one time; duplicate form entries will be deleted.
  7. Complete the Learner Assessment. The Learner Assessment has 10 questions (multiple choice and true or false), which must be completed in 15 minutes with at least 80% accuracy. The assessment can be taken up to three times to obtain a passing score. Once you have successfully completed the assessment with a passing score, you will be able to print a Certificate of Completion.

Completion Requirements:

You can only complete the course one time for ASHA credit.

If you are experiencing difficulty accessing the course, please email cascourse@onceuponatime.org for assistance. Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.

In-Kind Support

The video is hosted by The University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders through the CourseSites Platform.

Policies and Procedures

Cancellation Procedure: In the event that a course is cancelled, the course website/online promotional materials will be updated to reflect the cancellation and individuals will be notified by email within 7 days. As courses are offered at no charge to attendees, there are no applicable refunds.

Complaint Procedure: In accordance with ASHA CE provider guidelines, individuals who complete a course provided by the Once Upon a Time Foudnation may submit a complaint to the organization through email to  CAScourse@onceuponatime.org

View complete Policies and Procedures .