Why can't
my child talk to me?
Rogers Bridge » Childhood Apraxia of Speech
“It’s like he knows what he wants to say but he can’t get the message out of his mouth” is the concern
of some parents who contact us.
When speaking with a parent about their concerns, I immediately follow up with several questions related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Can your child produce a variety of consonants or do they use mostly vowels? Does your child say words the same way each time or is it different?
Although difficulties vary, if a child produces mostly vowels or as inconsistent productions of words, we need to consider the possibility of CAS. At our practice serving Duluth, Lawrenceville, and Suwanee, and surrounding cities in Georgia, we are well-equipped to address and evaluate such concerns surrounding CAS.
We're passionate about your child's needs.
"Jessie Willis is such an amazing person. Jessie always has a smile in her voice, I think that’s what makes Adam want to work with her. She is also very patient with the kids. She is not just Adam’s speech
therapist Jessie has grown to feel like a member of our family. Thank you for helping Adam he has come along way and it’s all thanks to you. God bless." — Debi B.
What exactly is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a disorder that impacts a person’s ability to produce verbal language. People with this affliction know the message they want to convey, but their brains do not correctly tell the muscles of the mouth how to move. CAS is not something that can be outgrown. However, with the correct intervention, children can learn to communicate verbally.
"We are incredibly grateful that Ms. Cristina was our son’s speech therapist! After working with us for the past year-and-a-half, our son has made astonishing progress in his speech; so much so that he no longer qualifies for intervention." – Kathleen
Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech:
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Limited babbling and little variation in babbling.
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Inconsistent production of speech sounds and words.
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Difficulty with speech rhythm and timing.
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Slow or effortful speech.
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Limited vocabulary or difficulty with word retrieval.
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Difficulty progressing towards more difficult words or longer utterances.
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Vowel errors and distortions.
Diagnosis of CAS typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language
pathologist, including a thorough review of the child's medical history, observation of their speech, and a range of standardized tests.
Treatment for CAS may include speech therapy, which focuses on building the child's
skills in planning and coordinating the movements required for speech production.
Therapy may involve a range of techniques, including oral-motor exercises, repetition
and practice of targeted sounds and words, and strategies for building vocabulary and
improving communication skills.
Early intervention is critical for the successful treatment of CAS. Children who receive
treatment early in life are more likely to develop the skills necessary for effective
communication and social interaction.
Parents and caregivers can also play a critical role in supporting children with CAS. This
may include providing a supportive and encouraging environment for speech practice
and working closely with speech-language pathologists to develop and implement
treatment plans.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder that affects a child's ability to plan and execute the movements required for clear and effective speech. Early diagnosis and treatment can help children with CAS develop the skills necessary for successful communication and social interaction.
If you suspect your child is apraxic or if they're having trouble with communication, we're happy to provide more insights. Reach out to us to learn more.
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We will work with your child and family to determine
warm and effective strategies which,
incorporated into your daily life, will serve to improve your child's ability to produce speech.
The first step is an easy conversation about your child's needs.
We'd like to prove we're a good fit with a free consultation.
"I would highly recommend Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy and Jessie to any family who has a child that may need some assistance with their speech and\or feeding. My son has Apraxia which has caused issues with feeding as well. Jessie has been working with my son since he was 2 and she has been amazing. Jessie has now become a part of our family. Due to COVID, the schools closed down and my son was able to get therapy from the county, but Jessie was able to keep therapy going and we are forever thankful for that. I know doing therapy can be hard to do through the computer but Jessie makes it very easy looking and engaging to the children." – Tami S.