07472 367193
Sussex Speech Studio
Nurturing potential
Understanding childhood apraxia of speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor-speech disorder. Children know what they want to say, but have difficulty planning the movements for clear, consistent speech.
CAS isn't caused by weakness of the tongue or mouth muscles. The challenge lies in coordinating the precise movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, and voice to produce sounds, words and longer phrases.
Some children may say a word clearly once but find it difficult to repeat with the same accuracy. Longer words can be noticeably harder than shorter ones, and children may rely on gestures, simplified speech, or alternative ways of communicating while they develop new motor plans.
Every child's speech profile is unique. Understanding how your child is planning and producing speech helps us choose support that is the right fit for them.
Why support matters
When speech is hard to plan and produce, communication can take a lot of effort. Children may know exactly what they want to say but feel frustrated when others can't understand them. This can affect confidence, participation and how easily they express ideas.
Therapy helps children learn the motor patterns needed for clear, consistent speech over time. We build communication in ways that reduce pressure, support confidence and offer alternative tools when needed, so children can share their ideas while their speech continues to develop.
My approach to therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech requires approaches that help speech movements become accurate, consistent, and easier to produce. In therapy, we build these skills gradually through structured, high-repetition practice that focuses on speech movement patterns rather than individual sounds.
We pay close attention to what helps your child succeed, such as pacing, cueing, visual supports or simplified motor patterns, and adjust the level of challenge at each stage. Learning is active, encouraging and centred on real words your child wants to use.
Alongside motor practice, we support communication in the moment. If speech becomes tiring or hard to access, we make space for other ways to share ideas so your child can participate fully while their speech skills grow.
My training and experience
With over twenty years of experience supporting children with speech sound and motor-speech disorders across NHS, school based and private practice settings, my post graduate training includes motor-based approaches for childhood apraxia of speech, including the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme (NDP3).
I draw on principles used in motor evidence-based approaches that support motor planning, timing and prosody. Therapy is guided by current research, clinical observation and what helps your child communicate more confidently.
What a session looks like
Sessions are typically 45 or 60 minutes, depending on your child's age, attention and therapy goals. We focus on structured, high quality practice of speech movements, building accuracy first and then using new patterns in real words and everyday communication.
Sessions are paced to help your child feel supported, motivated and confident. We use clear feedback, meaningful repetition and activities that support learning without pressure.
Between sessions, I'll provide clear guidance on how to support practice at home. This may include short, structured activities to help build motor patterns, alongside ideas for using new skills in everyday routines.
Common questions
How do we know if CAS is the right description for my child?
CAS is identified through patterns seen across tasks, not a single test. During assessment, I look at how your child plans and sequences movements for speech, how sounds develop over time, and what helps speech become more accurate. If CAS seems likely, I'll explain what that means for therapy. If something else is better, we'll talk that through instead.
What does progress look like in CAS?
Progress is often gradual and builds from small, meaningful changes such as clearer sound sequences, smoother transitions between syllables, or more confidence trying new words. Because CAS affects motor plannng rather than language knowledge, children may know what they want to say but need more time and practice to develop the movement patterns to say it. We track progress together and celebrate each step.
Will we need to practise at home?
Most children with CAS benefit from some structured practice between sessions. I'll show you what to do and how to keep things achievable without overwhelming family routines. Practice focuses on small, specific goals rather than repeating long lists of words, and we'll adjust as your child grows in confidence.
For more general questions, you can read the full FAQ here.
Ready to take the first step?
If you're wondering whether your child's speech differences could relate to motor planning, or you'd like support understanding what's going on, I'd be happy to talk.
You can book a free 15-minute phone consultation to share your thoughts and ask questions. We'll work out the best next step for your child together.
Use the contact form below, or email me at margaret@sussexspeechstudio.com.
You’re also welcome to call and leave a message on 07472 367193. I'll get back to you as soon as I can during my working hours.