Speech Therapy for Children with Apraxia of Speech: What Parents Need to Know

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to produce sounds, syllables, and words. Unlike other speech issues, CAS is not due to muscle weakness but rather a problem with the brain’s ability to send the right signals to the muscles involved in speech. If your child has been diagnosed with apraxia, speech therapy plays a crucial role in their ability to communicate effectively. At Triumph Therapeutics, we offer specialized speech therapy services for children with apraxia in NW Washington DC and Bethesda, Maryland.

What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?

CAS occurs when the brain has difficulty coordinating the movements needed to form sounds and words. While children with apraxia understand language and know what they want to say, the signals from their brain to their speech muscles don’t work as efficiently as they should. This leads to inconsistent errors in speech, making it difficult for the child to be understood.

Key Signs of Apraxia of Speech in Children

Early identification is important for children with apraxia. Here are some common signs to watch for:

• Inconsistent errors: A child may say a word correctly one time and struggle the next.
• Difficulty with longer words or phrases: Shorter words may be easier, but more complex words or sentences become challenging.
• Limited babbling as a baby: Early signs can include less babbling during infancy.
• Slow progress in speech development: Children may have delayed first words or struggle to combine sounds as they grow.
• Struggles with imitation: Even with prompting, children may have trouble repeating words or sounds.

How Speech Therapy Helps Children with Apraxia

At Triumph Therapeutics, our speech therapy approach focuses on intensive, targeted intervention to help your child build the motor planning skills needed for clear speech. Here’s how we work with children diagnosed with CAS:

1. Frequent Practice: We incorporate repetition to help children practice the correct movements for speech. Regular therapy sessions help reinforce these patterns.
2. Visual and Tactile Cues: Using visual aids, hand gestures, or touch can help guide your child’s mouth and tongue into the correct positions for speech sounds.
3. Speech Sound Drills: Short, frequent sessions often focus on specific sounds, syllables, or words, helping the child develop accuracy over time.
4. Building from Simple to Complex: Therapy often begins with simpler sounds and syllables, gradually increasing in difficulty as the child gains mastery.
5. Parental Involvement: We encourage parents to be active participants in their child’s therapy. Home practice and reinforcement of techniques learned in sessions are key to success.

Why Early Intervention is Key

Early and intensive intervention is crucial for children with apraxia. The earlier therapy begins, the more progress your child can make in developing effective communication skills. Without timely intervention, children may struggle with social, academic, and emotional challenges as they age.

Contact Us

If you’re noticing any of these signs or have concerns about your child’s speech development, Triumph Therapeutics is here to help. Our team of skilled pediatric speech-language pathologists offers personalized therapy plans to support your child’s unique needs.

Reach out to us today for an evaluation and to learn more about our speech therapy services for children with apraxia of speech.

Phone: (202)-621-9793
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.triumphtherapeutics.com

Additional Resources

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA)
• CDC Milestones for Early Speech and Language Development

Helping your child with apraxia reach their full potential starts with the right support. At Triumph Therapeutics, we’re dedicated to helping children in NW Washington DC and Bethesda, Maryland develop the communication skills they need to thrive.