What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)?
What is CAS?
CAS is a label used for a specific type of speech sound disorder in which the planning and/or programming of the movements to produce speech is inefficient. This means that although a child with CAS may know what they want to say, their mouth may not move the way it needs to in order to say words clearly.
Fast Facts About CAS
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CAS is a Rare Disorder
Approximately 1 to 2 children out of 1,000 have CAS. -
CAS is a Speech Sound Disorder
CAS is a diagnostic label for a speech sound disorder, not a medical condition. -
CAS is Best Diagnosed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Since CAS is a speech sound disorder, a SLP is the most qualified professional to diagnose and treat it. -
Children with CAS Need Specialized Treatment
CAS is a motor-based disorder, so the most effective treatments are based on the principles of motor learning, unlike traditional speech therapy. -
CAS May Occur With or Without Other Disorders
CAS sometimes occurs in isolation but often happens with other developmental, neurological and genetic disorders.
Signs Your Child May Have CAS
Your child may appear to struggle to speak (effortful speech), move their mouth as if they were talking but not produce sound (silent posturing) or make extra or awkward looking movements (grope) while speaking. Children with CAS often display these difficulties due to inefficiency with motor planning/programming for speech.
Your child may stress all syllables equally (monotone) or have unusual pauses within or between syllables, making their speech sound odd or “robot-like.” Issues with prosody such as these are common for children with CAS.
How CAS is
Diagnosed
Treatment Depends on Severity
Dr. Edythe Strand
Explains CAS