What Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?

Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder. Children with CAS usually understand language well and know what they want to say, but their brain has trouble planning and coordinating the movements of the lips, tongue, and jaw needed to say it. It is not caused by weak muscles, and it is not something a child will simply outgrow. With the right therapy, children with apraxia can make tremendous progress.

Signs your child may have apraxia

• Little babbling as a baby, or first words came late

• Says a word clearly once, then can't say it again

• The same word comes out differently each time

• Struggles more with longer words and sentences

• Visibly searches for how to move their mouth (groping)

• Vowel errors, or speech that sounds choppy or flat

• Understands far more than they can say

• Gets frustrated when people can't understand them

Is it apraxia or a speech delay?

Many children with apraxia are first told they are "just late talkers." The difference matters because the treatment is different. A child with a typical speech delay usually follows the expected pattern of development, only slower, and errors tend to be consistent. A child with apraxia often makes inconsistent errors, has more difficulty as words get longer, and may not progress with traditional speech therapy alone. A careful evaluation by an SLP with apraxia training is the best way to know.

Our Apraxia Evaluation

A thorough evaluation is the first step. We look closely at how your child plans and produces speech, so we can tell apraxia apart from other speech and language difficulties and build the right plan.

What the evaluation includes

• A conversation with you about your child's history, development, and your concerns

• Play-based observation, so your child feels comfortable

• Assessment of motor speech skills, including how your child produces sounds, syllables, and words of increasing length

• The Dynamic Evaluation of Motor Speech Skill (DEMSS), a dynamic assessment that shows how your child's speech changes with cues and support, along with a full motor speech assessment

• A look at your child's understanding of language and overall communication

• An oral motor exam

After the evaluation, we sit down with you to explain what we found in plain language, answer your questions, and recommend next steps. You'll receive a written report you can share with your child's pediatrician, school, or insurance.

Evaluations take about 45 minutes to 1 hour and are available at our Las Vegas and Pahrump clinics, or in your home or your child's preschool.

How We Treat Apraxia

Children with apraxia need therapy designed for motor speech, with lots of practice and the right kind of cues. Every plan is built around your child, but our approach always includes:

• Frequent, focused practice. Children with CAS make the most progress with frequent sessions, so we typically recommend 30-minute sessions, 2 to 3 times per week.

• Evidence-based motor speech treatment. We use DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing) and ReST (Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment), two research-supported approaches for childhood apraxia of speech.

• Multisensory cues. We use touch, visual, and hand cues to help your child feel and see how to move their mouth for each sound.

• Play that works. Sessions are fun and engaging, but your child is working hard the whole time.

• Parent coaching. You'll learn simple ways to practice at home and in everyday routines, so progress keeps happening between sessions.

AAC support while speech develops

While your child is building speech, they still deserve a way to communicate right now. We use high tech AAC, such as speech-generating devices, along with low tech tools like visual communication boards, activity-specific language displays, sign language, and gestures. AAC does not stop children from learning to talk. It reduces frustration and often supports speech growth.

Why Families Choose Wells for Apraxia Therapy

• Recognized expertise. Jocelyn Wells, MS, CCC-SLP, is recognized by Apraxia Kids for advanced training and expertise in childhood apraxia of speech, one of a small number of SLPs in Nevada with this recognition.

• Community leadership. Jocelyn coordinates the Nevada Walk for Apraxia every year, bringing Las Vegas families together for support, awareness, and connection.

• Speech and AAC under one roof. We support every way your child communicates while their speech grows.

• Insurance help. We work hard to get services covered and keep you updated with clear progress reports.

• Care where it works for you. Clinics in Las Vegas and Pahrump, plus in-home and preschool visits.

Apraxia FAQ

1. Can my child be evaluated for apraxia in Las Vegas?

   Yes. We evaluate children for childhood apraxia of speech at our Las Vegas clinic on S. Durango Drive and at our Pahrump clinic. Call 702.381.3636 or request an appointment online.

2. How young can a child be evaluated for apraxia?

   We evaluate children ages 3 and up. If your child is younger and you have concerns, give us a call and we'll talk through your options.

3. Do I need a referral from my pediatrician?

   Yes. All of the insurance plans we accept require a physician referral before therapy can begin. Ask your child's pediatrician, and we're happy to help with what's needed.

4. Does insurance cover apraxia therapy?

   We accept Nevada Medicaid, Molina, CareSource, HPN Medicaid, Sierra Health and Life, UMR, and Aetna. We'll help you understand your coverage before you start.

5. How long will my child need therapy?

   Every child is different. Apraxia usually takes consistent therapy over time, and we'll track progress and update your plan along the way.

6. Will using AAC stop my child from talking?

   No. Research shows AAC does not prevent speech development and often supports it, while reducing frustration.

7. My child was diagnosed somewhere else. Can you provide ongoing treatment?

   Yes. Bring any previous reports, and we'll review them and build a treatment plan from there.

Get Started

You don't need a diagnosis to reach out. If something about your child's speech has you wondering, we're here to listen.

Las Vegas Clinic

5980 S. Durango Dr. #131, Las Vegas, NV 89113

Pahrump Clinic

2200 Nevada West Blvd. #3, Pahrump, NV 89048

Phone: 702.381.3636 · Fax: 702.442.0973

Learn more about childhood apraxia of speech and connect with other families at Apraxia Kids(https://www.apraxia-kids.org) and the Nevada Walk for Apraxia.