Childhood Apraxia of Speech
What childhood apraxia of speech looks like
Some children have difficulty planning and coordinating the precise movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw that make speech sound clear. This can look like inconsistent sound errors, long pauses or groping when trying to say words, or speech that is hard for listeners to understand even though the child knows what they want to say. The exact profile varies by child and by age — infants, toddlers, school-age kids, and teens may show different strengths and needs.
Why this matters
Being hard to understand can be frustrating for a child and for the people who care about them. It can affect social confidence, classroom participation, and how a child practices language at home and with friends. Early, appropriate support helps children build clearer speech, stronger communication skills, and more positive interactions with peers and adults.
What to expect in therapy and coaching
- Evaluation and listening. We begin by listening — to the child’s speech, the family’s concerns, and how the child communicates in everyday situations. Evaluation helps us identify specific patterns of difficulty and meaningful goals.
- A clear, individualized plan. Therapy is built around the child’s strengths, age, and daily routines. Plans include specific speech targets (sounds, words, phrases), practice schedules, and measurable short-term goals so you can see progress in real life.
- Motor-based, practice-focused sessions. Therapy often emphasizes step-by-step practice of the movement patterns needed for speech. Sessions include small, repeated practice trials, multisensory cues (touch, visual, and auditory), and activities that keep kids engaged and motivated.
- Family coaching and carryover. Parents and caregivers are part of the plan. We show you simple, practical ways to practice at home and in daily routines so new skills transfer from the clinic to real life.
- Team communication. When helpful, we coordinate with preschool or school teams, occupational therapists, and pediatricians to support consistent approaches across settings.
What progress looks like
Progress is measured in small steps: clearer production of a target sound, more successful attempts at words, longer utterances, or increased confidence in talking. Every child moves at their own pace; therapy focuses on functional gains that make everyday communication easier.
When to consider support
- Your child is hard to understand for people who don’t know them well.
- Speech errors are inconsistent and your child seems to struggle with how to move their mouth when trying to talk.
- Your child shows frustration or avoids talking in social situations.
- Your toddler or young child has limited babbling, few consonant sounds, or is not combining sounds into words at expected stages.
How we help
- Individualized, play-based speech therapy that practices the movements needed for clear speech.
- Family coaching with simple home-practice routines built into daily life.
- Multisensory teaching strategies to support motor planning and coordination.
- Collaboration with schools and other providers to promote consistent support across settings.
If you’re unsure whether your child would benefit from support, we’re happy to talk. A brief conversation or an initial visit can help you understand next steps and whether speech coaching or therapy would be helpful for your child and family.