← Return to list of services

Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a label that we use to describe a speech problem that is caused by an inefficiency in motor programming or motor planning.  What that means is that some people have difficulty planning the movements of the muscles needed to say words.  This difficulty with planning or programming can effect a person's ability to control when muscles move, with how much force, with how much speed, when they should move, in what order they should move, and how smoothly coordinated those movements are. 

If you think about reaching for a glass of water, your brain plans out the movements needed and sends that information to all the muscles of your arm and hand.  It tells your arm which muscles need to contract, how much they need to contract, how far to reach, at what speed, and in what order those muscles need to move.  It tells your hand the same information; when to open the fingers, what position they need to be in, how fast to move, and with what force.  All of these movements are coordinated so that you reach smoothly and in one fluid motion.  This is motor programming or motor planning. 

When this process is not working efficiently for children, the muscles needed to say even a single word do not get the right messages at the right times.   

This condition is considered both rare and serious. 

There is hope.  We know how to treat this speech condition.  CAS requires specialized treatment from a practitioner who has the right training.  

I have extensive continuing education in this area.  I have been to 2 national conferences hosted by Apraxia-kids (formerly known as CASANA).  I have been trained in DTTC by Dr. Edythe Strand and I am currently training in the ReST treatment method.