Childhood and Acquired Apraxia of Speech

Apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder where the brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed to produce speech. Unlike articulation or phonological disorders, which involve sound errors or patterns, apraxia stems from the brain’s difficulty in sending the right signals to the muscles of the lips, tongue, and jaw. This can make speech sound inconsistent or effortful, even when muscle strength itself is normal. Apraxia can occur in children as a developmental condition or be acquired later in life due to a stroke, brain injury, or neurological illness.

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) typically appears in early development when children struggle to say words consistently or clearly. Symptoms may include a limited range of sounds, difficulty combining sounds into words, inconsistent errors, and problems imitating speech even when they understand what they want to say. Children with CAS often know exactly what they want to communicate but cannot get the words out smoothly, which can lead to frustration and limited participation in conversations with peers and family.

Acquired apraxia of speech develops after an illness or injury that affects the brain, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Individuals may suddenly find it hard to produce words or sentences they once said easily. Symptoms can include groping movements with the mouth, inconsistent sound errors, and difficulty transitioning smoothly from one sound to another. This loss of communication can be very distressing, affecting independence, relationships, and quality of life.

Therapy is essential for both childhood and acquired apraxia of speech. Speech-language pathologists use intensive, structured practice to help individuals learn and strengthen the motor plans for producing speech sounds. Therapy may include repetition, multisensory cues, and pacing techniques to build consistency and confidence. For children, early intervention is particularly critical so they can develop communication skills during key developmental years. For adults, therapy supports recovery and provides strategies for effective communication. In both cases, treatment helps individuals regain their voice and participate more fully in everyday life.