Is your little one late to speak? Or does it seem like what he says is unclear? Does he sometimes say the same words one after the other? It's normal for you as a parent to feel a little worried when you see things like this. But the cause of all this may be a condition called Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) . Let's talk about this in a little more detail today.
What is this so-called apraxia of speech (CAS)? Simply put...
Simply put, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for a child to speak. This means that there is a problem with the nerve pathways that send messages from the child's brain to the mouth. Think about it, when we form a mouth to say a word, our brain gives commands to the muscles at the right time and in the right way, right? There is a slight problem in that process in these children. As a result, the child has difficulty moving the muscles of the mouth in the way they need to speak clearly and correctly.
The important thing is that CAS is not a cognitive problem. The child knows what he or she wants to say. The problem is how the brain commands the muscles in the mouth to say those words.
This condition has several other names:
- Developmental Apraxia of Speech
- Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia
It is said that there is no complete cure for this. However, if the condition is recognized early and special speech therapy is provided, many children can make significant progress and learn to speak clearly.
Can you recognize the signs of this at a young age? (Early signs)
Yes, if you see some early signs, you may wonder if your child has this type of motor speech disorder. A young child under the age of 3 may show symptoms like these:
- Not making babbling or cooing sounds, or making very limited amounts of these sounds. They may not make as many sounds as other babies.
- It's hard to say different sounds together.
- Saying their first words later than other children.
- The pronunciation of the same word in different ways when said repeatedly. For example, the word "mother" can be pronounced "mother" one time and "daddy" another time.
- There are large gaps (pauses) between sounds. It's like you're about to say a word, then suddenly stop and start again.
- A very limited amount of sound is used.
- Some children may also have problems with eating , due to minor weaknesses in the coordination of the muscles in the mouth.
What are the other symptoms of this?
The symptoms of childhood apraxia of speech can vary from child to child. Typically, children with CAS can understand language, but have difficulty speaking and communicating. Symptoms may include:
- Trying several times before saying a word correctly.
- Difficulty coordinating the movements needed to move from one syllable of a word to the next. For example, when trying to say the word "banana," it comes out as "bananas."
- Distorting sounds or deleting sounds.
- There may be errors in tone, stress, or rhythm in the way you speak. This means that the conversation may seem very monotonous and lacking in emotion.
- Making inconsistent errors in speech. Even if the same word is said incorrectly, the error does not always occur in the same way.
A child over 3 years old may see things like this:
- It is difficult for someone who does not know the child to understand what he is saying.
- A word is said by groping for words several times, as if searching for words.
- The speaking style is very flat or choppy.
- Difficulty pronouncing long words clearly.
- It's even harder to speak when you're nervous.
- Difficulty imitating what others say.
Imagine, your friend has a daughter, named Nimali. She is about four years old. When Nimali talks, she sometimes says "chocolate" and then says "tokalet" or "chokat". She also uses her mouth to practice a little before saying a word. Sometimes only her mother understands what she says. These things can be signs of CAS.
Why is this happening? What are the causes? (Causes)
Researchers still don't know the exact cause of childhood apraxia of speech. Children with CAS have problems with certain nerve pathways in their brains. These nerve pathways are responsible for planning the movements needed to speak. So, messages from the brain to the parts of the mouth used to speak aren't sent properly.
In some cases, CAS is caused by an acquired brain injury . For example, a stroke can disrupt the nerve pathways in the brain. There is also evidence that genetic factors may play a role. Scientists have identified more than 20 genes associated with the disorder.
How do doctors diagnose this?
Childhood apraxia of speech is diagnosed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) . These SLPs are people who have special training and expertise in treating speech disorders.
To diagnose CAS, an SLP will take your child's history, including any known medical problems. An SLP may also test your child's hearing , oral-motor skills , speech melody (pitch) , and how they say sounds .
An SLP tests a child's speech ability by:
- Checking for mouth muscle weakness.
- We look at how the child makes vowel sounds and consonant sounds.
- Nonspeech oral motor skills are tested when you are not speaking. For example, things like blowing, smiling, lip curling, and how quickly you can move your mouth.
- We observe how well others can understand what the child is saying.
- Observe how the child pauses or changes the pitch of their voice while speaking.
Sometimes genetic testing can determine whether a genetic variant is responsible for the disorder. This involves a doctor taking a sample of the child's blood and looking for any abnormalities in the genes.
What are the treatments for this? (Treatment)
When treating CAS, it may require more attention and more intense treatment than other speech sound problems. Some children may need to see a speech and language therapist (SLP) three to five times a week to improve their speaking skills.
If your child has severe symptoms of CAS, they may need treatment for several years , especially if they miss important language development milestones in early childhood.
The following are treatments for childhood apraxia of speech:
- Speech therapy is provided to the child, focusing on syllables, words, and phrases at their own pace, tailored to their needs.
- Learning alternative means of communication, such as using sign language or electronic communication devices.
- Outside of speech therapy, repetitive language exercises are practiced at home.
When should I see a doctor?
In this case, see your child's doctor and ask for a referral to a speech and language therapist (SLP):
- If you notice symptoms or signs of apraxia.
- If the child misses important language development milestones. For example, if they are late in saying their first words or naming common objects.
- If the child shows frustration with communication when someone doesn't understand what he or she is saying.
Also, if your child is having difficulty eating and has trouble coordinating movements with their mouth in addition to speaking, see a doctor immediately.
Is there a way to prevent this? (Prevention)
There is no specific way to prevent childhood apraxia of speech. However, some cases of CAS are linked to genetic variants. So, if you are planning to get pregnant, you can ask your doctor about genetic counseling to assess your risk of having a child with the genetic condition.
What will happen if my child has this condition? (Prognosis)
As a child grows, they may miss important milestones in language development, such as saying their first words and using short sentences to express themselves. These developmental delays can prevent a child from learning in the classroom at the same level as other children their age.
But don't worry. Your child will work with a speech and language therapist (SLP). He or she will focus on your child's specific symptoms and create a plan to improve their speech over time.
Does childhood apraxia go away?
Although there is no complete cure for this, early treatment can reduce the frustration that arises when a child needs to say something but is unable to communicate that message.
Although many factors contribute to this, with proper treatment, most children with this disorder are able to speak somewhat normally.
How can we as parents help our child?
The best thing you can do for your child as they grow is to support them. Your child will likely have one-on-one sessions with a speech and language therapist (SLP). Your child's SLP may give you "homework" to practice at home between sessions. Just like math homework at school, it's important to help your child complete their speech exercises in the same way.
Stay in regular contact with your child's SLP to monitor how well your child is progressing and to provide encouragement along the way.
Imagine, wouldn't you feel frustrated if you couldn't remember the name of someone you've met many times? If your child has apraxia, it can be equally frustrating when they know someone's name but can't pronounce it correctly. Your child's speech therapy treatment will be long-term. It will help them communicate, and their symptoms will improve significantly. Continue to support and encourage your child as they reach new milestones in communication.
Take-Home Message
Okay, so you can remember some of the most important things from what we've talked about.
- Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a minor problem with the messages sent from the brain to the mouth, not a problem with the child's intelligence.
- Although there is no complete cure for this, speech therapy can greatly improve it. It is very important to recognize it early and start treatment.
- If you notice anything strange, delayed, or unclear in your child's speech, don't be shy or afraid to see a doctor and refer them to a speech therapist (SLP).
- Parents' support, encouragement, and patience are very valuable to these children. Do the exercises given by the therapist at home, talk to the child, and listen to him.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please seek medical advice.
` Childhood Apraxia of Speech, CAS, Apraxia of Speech, Childhood Speech Disorders, Speech Difficulties, Speech Therapy, SLP
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