Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Rogers Bridge » Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Why can't my child talk to me?

“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.

→ Learn more: Understanding Apraxia

Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech:

Limited babbling and little variation in babbling.
Inconsistent production of speech sounds and words.
Difficulty with speech rhythm and timing.
Slow or effortful speech.
Limited vocabulary or difficulty with word retrieval.
Difficulty progressing towards more difficult words or longer utterances.
Vowel errors and distortions.

When to Consider Speech Therapy

You may want to consider a speech and language evaluation if your child:

Is difficult to understand compared to other children their age.
Has trouble imitating sounds, words, or phrases.
Says the same word differently each time.
Understands language well but struggles to express themselves verbally.
Has limited consonant sounds or relies heavily on vowels.
Appears frustrated when trying to communicate.
Has difficulty combining sounds together to form words.
Makes more errors as words become longer or more complex.
Has a family history of speech or language difficulties.
Is not meeting expected speech and language milestones.

Many of these signs are consistent with characteristics identified by Apraxia Kids, a leading organization dedicated to supporting children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and their families. A professional evaluation can help determine whether CAS or another communication disorder may be contributing to your child's difficulties.

A professional evaluation can provide clarity, guidance, and a personalized plan.

How Childhood Apraxia of Speech Is Diagnosed and Treated

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, repetition and practice of targeted sounds and words, strategies for building vocabulary & improving communication skills, and may include oral-motor exercises.

→ Learn more: What treatment looks like.

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.

"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

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.

A Speech Therapist's Perspective on Childhood Apraxia of Speech

As a speech-language pathologist, Childhood Apraxia of Speech is one of the most unique and rewarding disorders I treat. Over the years, I often meet children who understand everything around them and know exactly what they want to say, but struggle to coordinate the movements needed to produce speech clearly and consistently.

One of the first things I look for during an evaluation is inconsistency. A child with apraxia may say a word correctly one moment and be unable to produce that same word a few minutes later. They often have difficulty imitating sounds and words, and longer words tend to be more challenging than shorter ones.

Because apraxia is a motor speech disorder, treatment looks different than traditional speech therapy. Therapy focuses on helping the brain develop accurate motor plans for speech through specialized techniques, repetition, and individualized practice.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching a child gain confidence as they become better understood by their family, friends, and teachers. With the right support and treatment, children with apraxia can make meaningful progress and find their voice.

Jessie Willis, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist

The Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy team.

Our Team's Approach to Childhood Apraxia of Speech

At Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy, our team understands that Childhood Apraxia of Speech is more than a speech delay. Because apraxia is a motor speech disorder, therapy must focus on helping the brain learn and consistently plan the movements needed for speech.

Our speech-language pathologists use evidence-based treatment approaches that emphasize repetition, motor learning principles, and individualized practice. We carefully select targets that are meaningful to each child and provide opportunities for success while building more complex speech skills over time.

We also believe that families are an essential part of the therapy process. Our team works closely with parents and caregivers to provide education, home practice strategies, and ongoing support so that progress continues beyond the therapy room.

Every child with apraxia presents differently. Some children may benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to support communication while speech develops. Others may have co-occurring language, literacy, or feeding challenges that require a more comprehensive approach. Our team collaborates to ensure each child receives the individualized support they need to communicate confidently and effectively.

Our goal is simple: help children find their voice and give families the tools they need to support communication every step of the way.

Why Early Intervention Matters for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Speech skills build upon one another. Early treatment helps children develop the foundational motor planning skills needed for more complex speech and language development.
Reduces frustration. Children with apraxia often know what they want to say but struggle to get the words out. Early intervention can provide strategies to help them communicate more effectively.
Supports social development. Communication plays a critical role in building relationships, participating in play, and interacting with peers and family members.
Promotes academic readiness. Strong communication skills support learning, literacy development, classroom participation, and future academic success.
Builds confidence. As children become more successful communicators, they often gain confidence in social situations and everyday interactions.
Addresses challenges before they become habits. Early intervention can help prevent children from developing compensatory speech patterns that may be more difficult to change later.

(More details and FAQs below after the following section...)

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.

Let's collaborate

We'd like to prove we're a good fit with a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can children outgrow apraxia?

No. Apraxia does not simply disappear with age. However, children can make significant progress with appropriate therapy.

Does apraxia affect intelligence?

No. Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder and is not related to intelligence.

How often should a child with apraxia attend therapy?

Many children with CAS benefit from more frequent therapy due to the motor learning principles involved.

Will my child need an AAC device?
Not necessarily. Some children benefit from AAC temporarily while developing verbal speech, while others may use AAC longer term.

How long does therapy take?

Progress varies depending on the severity of apraxia and the child's individual needs.

Ready to Get Started?

At Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy, speech therapy is collaborative, supportive, and individualized. We work closely with families to:

Understand each child’s unique strengths and challenges
Set meaningful, functional goals
Support skill development across home, school, and community settings
Offer both in-clinic and teletherapy options when appropriate

If you have concerns about your child, we are here to help.

Our team provides Speech Therapy in Lawrenceville, GA for children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, speech delays, articulation disorders, and other communication challenges.

This page was reviewed for clinical accuracy by licensed speech-language pathologists at Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy.

Last Reviewed: June 2026

Jessie Willis, speech-language pathologist and owner of Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy, smiling with her black Labrador Retriever

Jessie Willis, Master of Education (M.Ed.), Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Georgia.
Owner and clinical leader at Rogers Bridge Pediatric Therapy.
Provides oversight and direction for the evaluation & treatment of children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and other communication disorders.
Learn more about Jessie.

"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.