Living with Childhood apraxia of speech
A speech condition where a child has trouble planning the mouth movements needed to say words, and may also have language and learning challenges.
Understanding Childhood apraxia of speech
CAS comes from problems in the parts of the brain that plan and coordinate movements of the lips, mouth, and tongue. Children say first words later than other children, between 18 months and 7 years. Speech is often hard to understand, but it usually gets clearer over time. Some children also have trouble understanding speech, reading, spelling, or grammar.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Late start to speaking
- Speech that is hard to understand
- Trouble with grammar
- Trouble understanding speech (receptive language delay)
- Poor fine motor coordination
- Learning difficulties
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Consider genetic testing
Changes in FOXP2 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Apraxia Kids and Childhood Apraxia Treatment may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Apraxia Kids, Childhood Apraxia Treatment
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Apraxia Kids and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in the FOXP2 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, so one changed copy of the gene can be enough.
Also known as: cas; developmental verbal dyspraxia; isolated cas; isolated cas (childhood apraxia of speech); isolated childhood apraxia of speech; isolated developmental verbal dyspraxia
Patient organizations
- Apraxia KidsChildhood apraxia of speech · United States
- Childhood Apraxia TreatmentChildhood apraxia of speech · United States
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