Parenting comes with a steep learning curve, and sometimes it feels more like an obstacle course.
If you’re reading this, someone may have mentioned childhood apraxia of speech in relation to your child. Feeling worried, or a mix of relieved and nervous, is completely normal.
So let’s talk about childhood apraxia of speech: what it is, the signs, and how it’s treated. The sooner you understand what’s going on, the better you can support your child.
What is childhood apraxia of speech?
Imagine this: in your child’s brain, the words they want to say are all right there. But between the brain thinking that thought and the mouth turning it into words, the wires get crossed. That's childhood apraxia of speech.
It’s not that kids with apraxia don’t want to communicate. Of course they do. Their brain has trouble planning and organising the complex movements needed for clear speech. That’s a little like having all the right notes for a tune but not being able to make your fingers play them in the correct order.
Unlike other speech impairments, the symptoms of childhood apraxia are inconsistent. One day your child may say “mummy” perfectly; the next, they can barely get it out.
This continual back-and-forth can be frustrating for you and your kiddo, which is why knowing what to expect from speech therapy can really help.
Spotting the signs
Every child develops at their own pace. We’ve all heard that before. But there are some specific red flags that might indicate childhood apraxia of speech rather than typical speech development variations.
Early warning signs in toddlers
- Very limited babbling as babies (or none at all)
- Late first words, often appearing after 15 months
- Small vocabulary compared to peers
- Difficulty moving from simple sounds to more complex words
- Seeming to "lose" words they previously could say
Signs in older children
- Inconsistent speech errors that seem to change each time they attempt the same word
- Particular difficulty with longer words or sentences
- Groping movements with their mouth when trying to speak, as if they're searching for the right position
- Better understanding than expression: they clearly understand what you're saying but can't respond with the same clarity
- Unusual stress patterns in their speech
Here's something that might surprise you: children with apraxia often develop quite sophisticated ways to communicate without words. They might become excellent at gestures, pointing, or even developing their own little sign system. This shows how clever and determined they are to communicate, but it can also be a sign that verbal communication is particularly challenging for them.
Getting a diagnosis
If some of these signs sound familiar, you may be wondering what to do next. The good news is that seeking clarity doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with experienced professionals who know what warning signs to look for.
At CommuniKids, our assessments are much more than listening to your child talk. We look at the whole picture: how their mouth and jaw move, their language skills, and the clever ways they work around their difficulties.
During an assessment for apraxia, our speech pathologists will usually:
- Watch how your child’s mouth moves when they are talking and not talking
- Look closely at speech patterns and inconsistencies
- Compare your child’s understanding with their expression
- Look at how they sequence sounds and syllables
- Note all their ways of communicating, including nonverbal ones
At CommuniKids, our approach is unique because we focus on more than just technical skills. We look at your child as a whole person: their personality, their interests, and their strengths. What this allows us to do is create a far more accurate picture and, more importantly, therapy that actually engages your child.
Treating apraxia of speech
Here's what every parent needs to know: childhood apraxia of speech is absolutely treatable, but it requires patience, consistency, and the right approach. Think marathon, not sprint.
Apraxia treatment works best when it’s frequent and targeted. This means working with professionals who understand how to make every interaction count.
Our speech therapists at CommuniKids use evidence-based approaches specifically designed for apraxia:
Motor-based approaches
These focus on helping your child's brain and mouth work together more effectively. We help them build the pathways needed to plan speech movements.
Multi-sensory techniques
We might use visual cues, touch, or even technology to help your child feel and see what their mouth should be doing. Some children respond brilliantly to watching themselves in mirrors or feeling the vibrations of different sounds.
Functional communication
While we're working on speech clarity, we never want your child to stop communicating. Sometimes this means incorporating sign language, picture systems, or even apps and devices that can communicate for them.
Working together
The collaborative approach we take at CommuniKids means you’re not just dropping your child off for therapy. You’re part of the team.
We’ll teach you techniques for home, help you understand what your child is working on, and make sure everyone in your child's life is on the same page.
Apraxia support at CommuniKids
Childhood apraxia of speech needs experienced support. Our team has a lot of experience with apraxia and has seen first-hand the difference the right approach makes.
As well as our Jolimont and Victoria Park clinics, we offer telehealth and school visits. We are a registered NDIS provider, and we believe every child deserves high-quality speech therapy, whatever their funding.
Our autism assessment experience is also relevant here, as apraxia and autism can occur together. Working with professionals who know both conditions leads to a more accurate assessment and better treatment.
Supporting your child at home
Professional therapy is crucial, but everyday moments at home are where the magic truly happens. The good news? You don't need to become a speech therapist yourself. You just need to be an encouraging, patient parent who creates many opportunities for communication.
Take the pressure off
If your child is struggling with a word, resist the urge to make them "say it properly" before you respond to their need. Remember, they're already trying their hardest.
Celebrate attempts, not just success
Celebrate your child’s attempts to talk whenever they happen, for example: “You tried to say ‘water’, and I heard it!” This builds confidence and motivates them to keep trying.
Use their interests
If your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, cars, or Bluey, incorporate these interests into communication practice. It's much easier to work on speech when you're talking about something you love. Following your child's lead is one of the most powerful strategies you can use.
Read together every day
Books provide natural opportunities for repetitive language, and the pressure is off because you're just enjoying a story together.
Create predictable routines
Children with apraxia often do better when they know what to expect. Mealtimes, bath times, and bedtime routines provide natural opportunities to practise familiar words and phrases.
The social side
Many parents worry about how other children will respond to their child’s speech. It’s a fair concern.
Here’s what we know: children are generally far more accepting than adults give them credit for. They're curious rather than judgemental.
At CommuniKids, we give children strategies to handle these moments, interact with their peers and speak up for themselves. We also work with schools to help teachers and classmates understand apraxia, because understanding leads to inclusion.
Early intervention: why timing matters
The one thing we wish every parent knew is this: early intervention makes an incredible impact with childhood apraxia of speech.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders has more information on apraxia of speech and its treatment.
A young child’s developing brain is at its most adaptable, which makes therapy particularly effective.
That doesn’t mean you should panic if your child is diagnosed when they’re older. It’s never too late to make progress. But if you’re concerned, the earlier you seek an assessment, the better for your child.
At CommuniKids, we see children from under 12 months to 18 years, and meet them where they are developmentally.
What to expect
Progress with childhood apraxia of speech is rarely a straight line. There will be breakthrough moments that make you want to cry happy tears, and there will also be days where it feels as if you’re running headfirst into a brick wall. Both are natural parts of the process.
Most children with apraxia, especially with the right therapy, develop functional speech. Some may always have speech patterns different from their peers, while others may achieve speech that is just like anyone else’s. Every child's path is different.
The most important thing is that your child learns to express themselves confidently. Sometimes that’s through speech, sometimes through a mix of speech and other communication, and for some kids, technology supports the way they communicate.
Taking the next step
Whether you suspect your child has childhood apraxia of speech or they already have a diagnosis, your child is not alone, and neither are you. We walk alongside families on this road every day.
Trust your instincts. No one knows your child better than you. If you’re worried about their speech, those concerns are worth following up.
An assessment can give you a clear picture of your child’s speech and language. Then we can put together a plan that suits your family and helps your child become a confident communicator.
Your child wants to connect with the world. Sometimes they just need a little encouragement to speak up. That’s precisely what we’re here for.
Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with CommuniKids to find out how we can help, or read more about how to access speech therapy. Because all children deserve to be heard.
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