Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is difficulty with planning and programming the movements required for speech. Speech is highly complex and requires coordination of the brain and respiratory system. When we speak, our brain creates a “plan” to coordinate the movements of the tongue, lips, palate, jaw, vocal cords, and diaphragm. Specifically, our brain has to plan when, how fast, and which directions each of these structures will move to produce speech. Our brain also has to plan how much each muscle used for speech will contract. When there is a disconnect in all this planning, the result is CAS.

While CAS does impact a child’s intelligibility, it is very different than articulation or phonological disorders. Therefore, the treatment approach for CAS is very different as well. Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) is a treatment that was designed specifically for children with CAS. DTTC is a highly evidence and research-based treatment approach that is based on principles of motor learning.

If CAS is suspected, your child’s therapist will administer a very thorough assessment to confirm the diagnosis. Frequent treatment sessions are recommended. Your therapist will walk you through how to support your child at home as they progress through therapy. Depending on the severity, it may be recommended that your child use AAC as they continue working towards obtaining intelligible verbal speech.