What is childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)?

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech condition that makes it challenging for children to speak clearly. A child diagnosed with CAS often has a good grasp of language and knows what they want to say, but they may struggle to consistently and accurately form words and coordinate the movements needed to speak. You might hear healthcare professionals also use the terms “developmental verbal dyspraxia” and “developmental apraxia of speech” interchangeably with CAS, but they all refer to the same condition. Note that some healthcare professionals might prefer the term "verbal dyspraxia" instead of CAS because it's included in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

CAS can look different for every child — for some, it might be severe, such as a struggle to say even simple words or sounds. A child with mild apraxia might be able to voice some words and sounds but struggle with longer, more complex words.

For more information, see our full article Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) 101.