Childhood apraxia of speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), also known as Developmental Apraxia of Speech (DAS), is a speech disorder that interferes with a child's ability to correctly pronounce syllables and words. It is not due to muscle weakness or paralysis, but the brain's difficulty in planning to move the body parts needed for speech (lips, jaw, tongue) where they need to go.
Pronunciation
Childhood Apraxia of Speech: /ˈtʃaɪldˌhʊd əˈpræksiə ʌv spiːtʃ/
Etymology
The term "apraxia" comes from the Greek "a-" (without) and "praxis" (action). The prefix "Childhood" is added to differentiate it from other forms of apraxia that occur in adults.
Symptoms
Children with CAS often have difficulty putting sounds and syllables together in the correct order to form words. Other symptoms may include:
- Inconsistent errors on consonants and vowels in repeated syllables or words
- Lengthened and disrupted co-articulatory transitions between sounds and syllables
- Inappropriate prosody, especially in the realization of lexical or phrasal stress
Causes
The exact cause of CAS is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to the brain's difficulty in sending the correct signals to the muscles responsible for speech. Some children may have CAS due to a genetic disorder or syndrome, while others may have brain damage. In many cases, the cause is unknown.
Treatment
Treatment for CAS involves speech therapy, where a speech-language pathologist works with the child to improve their speech. This may involve exercises to improve coordination of the mouth and speech muscles, as well as practicing the correct way to say words and sounds.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Childhood apraxia of speech
- Wikipedia's article - Childhood apraxia of speech
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