Pediatric Speech Therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
in San Diego, CA
Helping Children Find Their Voice
Every child has a voice that deserves to be heard. But for some children, finding that voice can take a little more practice and guidance. They may know exactly what they want to say but struggle to get the words out clearly to participate in school or make new friends.
At SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy, we specialize in helping kids strengthen their speech skills through fun and effective therapy. Our expert speech-language pathologists use proven, child-friendly techniques to give kids with childhood apraxia of speech the tools and support they need to communicate successfully.
What Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder. This means it has to do with your child’s oral motor skills, like moving their lips, tongue, and jaw. CAS occurs when the brain has difficulty communicating with the body to plan and coordinate the specific movements needed to speak clearly.
Unlike an articulation or language delay, children with CAS often know exactly what they want to say. They simply struggle with the physical part of speech, such as moving their lips, tongue, and jaw in the right way to produce the sounds they need.
Common Symptoms of Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Signs of CAS may vary by age, but some common symptoms include:
- Limited babbling in infancy
- Delays in speaking their first words
- Inconsistent sound errors (saying a word correctly once but not the next time)
- Difficulty putting sounds together in the correct order
- Trouble imitating words or phrases, even when prompted
- Speech that sounds choppy, monotone, or flat
- Difficulty being understood by people outside of the home
- Frustration when communication attempts aren’t successful
What Causes Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
The exact cause of CAS isn’t always known. In some cases, it may be linked to neurological differences, genetic conditions, or other developmental challenges.
What’s important to know is that CAS is not caused by muscle weakness. It has to do with the brain’s ability to plan and help execute the movements needed for clear speech. With support from our speech therapists, many children with CAS make significant progress and become more confident communicators.
How Speech Therapy Can Help with Childhood Apraxia of Speech
At SmallTalk, our speech therapists use evidence-based, personalized methods. Our goal is to make therapy engaging and effective while empowering children to share their ideas with the world.
Depending on your child’s specific challenges, therapy may include:
- Practicing sounds and words to build muscle memory and coordination
- Using visual and tactile cues (such as touch prompts) to guide the correct mouth movements
- Breaking down words into smaller parts and gradually building up to longer phrases
- Doing play-based activities to keep practice fun and motivating
- Coaching parents to reinforce skills outside of therapy sessions
Why Choose SmallTalk?
When it comes to your child’s communication, you want the very best, and so do we! We help children throughout San Diego achieve their greatest potential.
Our speech-language pathologists are highly trained, passionate, and experienced in working with a wide range of diagnoses and ages. They’re also warm, playful, and great at connecting with kids.
We make therapy fun, family-centered, and goal-driven. From your very first phone call to each session after, you’ll feel supported and heard. We collaborate closely with parents and provide practical strategies you can use at home to help your child keep progressing beyond the therapy room.
Schedule Your Child’s Evaluation Today
If you suspect your child may have childhood apraxia of speech, or if you’ve recently received a diagnosis, don’t wait to seek support. Early and intensive therapy can make a big difference for their communication skills.
Call us at (619) 647-6157 or fill out our online form to schedule a speech evaluation at SmallTalk Pediatric Therapy in San Diego. Together, we’ll help your child find their voice and express themselves with confidence.