Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Our Approach to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Evidence-based, individualized treatment for every child
Common Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech
A child with CAS may:
- Speak later than expected or have a very limited vocabulary.
- Say the same word differently each time.
- Have difficulty combining sounds into words.
- Seem to “search” or struggle to position their mouth before speaking.
- Produce speech that is difficult for others to understand.
- Have trouble with longer or more complex words.
- Place unusual stress or rhythm on words and sentences.
- Become frustrated when trying to communicate.
How Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech Diagnosed?
A comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is essential. The evaluation may include:
- Assessment of speech sound production.
- Evaluation of oral motor skills.
- Observation of speech consistency across repeated words.
- Assessment of speech rhythm and prosody.
- Language and communication testing.
Because CAS shares characteristics with other speech disorders, an experienced pediatric SLP is important for making an accurate diagnosis.
Apraxia Therapy Treatment Programs
Bjorem Speech Sound Cues
Developed by childhood apraxia specialist Jennie Bjorem, M.A., CCC-SLP, this visual cueing system pairs each speech sound with a memorable image and gesture — turning an abstract, "invisible" sound into something a child can see, connect with, and remember. These visual cues give children a consistent reference point across therapy and home practice, and they layer well alongside motor-based approaches like DTTC, helping reinforce accurate, stable sound production.
Dynamic Temporal & Tactile Cueing (DTTC)
DTTC targets the actual movement patterns of speech, practiced in real words and phrases that are motivating and meaningful to the child, rather than in isolated drills. Therapy moves through a structured hierarchy — from producing a target together with the therapist, to imitating it right after a model, to imitating it after a short delay, and finally producing it independently. Along the way, the amount and type of support (slower rate, tactile cues, visual cues) is adjusted in real time, always working toward the child's independent, accurate speech.
KAUFMAN
Developed by Nancy R. Kaufman, M.A., CCC-SLP, the K-SLP is one of the most widely used treatment approaches for CAS. It shapes a child's best attempt at a word — their closest approximation — and systematically builds it toward the full, accurate adult form. Using principles of motor learning alongside applied behavior analysis, K-SLP starts with the consonant, vowel, and syllable shapes a child can already produce, then progresses step by step toward more complex words and, ultimately, functional, connected speech.
P.R.O.M.P.T.
PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) is a hands-on approach that uses tactile-kinesthetic cues — gentle, precise touch to the jaw, lips, and face — to physically guide a child's articulators into the correct position and movement for a sound. It's a multisensory method: children see the movement, hear the target sound, and feel exactly how to produce it. PROMPT is highly individualized and integrates speech-motor goals with broader language and functional communication goals as therapy progresses.
Why We Use a Multi-Method Approach
Evidence-based, individualized treatment for every child
No single program is the right fit for every child with CAS. A child’s age, severity, attention, sensory preferences, and specific motor speech breakdowns all shape which tools will help most — and that mix often changes as a child progresses through therapy. By training deeply across K-SLP, DTTC, PROMPT, and Bjorem Speech Sound Cues, our therapists can select and combine the right strategies for each child, rather than fitting the child to a single program. This individualized, evidence-based foundation is at the heart of our Intensive Apraxia Program, where children receive focused, concentrated therapy built around exactly what their motor speech system needs.
Helpful Resources for Parents
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Explore our collection of articles written by our pediatric therapy experts, covering topics such as speech and language development, feeding therapy, occupational therapy, developmental milestones, communication tips, and practical strategies you can use at home.
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Help Your Child Find Their Voice
Schedule a speech evaluation
Every child deserves to be heard and understood. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech or communication development, our experienced pediatric speech-language pathologists are here to help. Let’s take the first step toward helping your child communicate with greater confidence.