For any parent or caregiver, it can be difficult to know whether a child is simply a late talker or may have childhood apraxia of speech. With so much information and so many different terms available online, it can be overwhelming to determine what your child’s speech development means.
At First Words Speech Therapy, we understand how concerning it can be when your child is not talking as expected. Our goal is to help parents understand the difference between a late talker and childhood apraxia of speech, recognize possible warning signs, and understand when it may be time to seek professional help.
What Is a Late Talker?
A late talker is generally a young child, often between 18 and 30 months old, who has a smaller spoken vocabulary than expected for their age.
Many late talkers have otherwise age-appropriate development. They may understand language well and continue to develop appropriate social, cognitive, motor, and play skills. Although they may not be saying as many words as other children their age, their speech and vocabulary may gradually increase as they develop.
Being a late talker does not necessarily mean that a child has a speech disorder. However, it is important for parents to monitor their child’s communication development and seek an evaluation if they have concerns.
How Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech Different?
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech disorder that affects a child’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed to produce clear speech.
Children with childhood apraxia of speech may know what they want to say but have difficulty coordinating the precise movements of their lips, tongue, and jaw to produce sounds and words.
Some children may have difficulty:
Producing speech sounds correctly
Putting sounds together to form words
Pronouncing the same word consistently
Sequencing sounds and syllables
Imitating words or sounds
Moving smoothly from one sound or syllable to another
One important characteristic of childhood apraxia of speech can be inconsistent speech errors. A child may say a word correctly one time but pronounce it differently the next time.
Common Speech Characteristics Associated With Apraxia
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) identifies several speech characteristics that may be associated with apraxia of speech. These can include difficulties with articulation, rate, prosody, and fluency.
Articulation
A child with apraxia may demonstrate:
Inconsistent speech sound errors
Difficulty producing certain sounds
Prolonged sounds
Difficulty coordinating sounds within words
Errors involving syllables
Changes in how sounds are produced from one attempt to another
Rate and Prosody
Some children may also demonstrate differences in the rhythm, timing, or rate of their speech. Speech may be slower than expected, and children may have difficulty sequencing sounds and syllables smoothly.
Fluency and Speech Initiation
Children with childhood apraxia of speech may have difficulty getting started with certain words or speech movements. They may make repeated attempts to produce a word, repeat sounds or syllables, or appear to struggle to coordinate the movements needed for speech.
Helping Your Child Develop Communication Skills
Remember that every child is unique. Try to avoid comparing your child’s speech development with siblings, friends, or other children.
Instead, focus on your child’s individual progress and communication skills. Talk, read, sing, and play with your child regularly, and give them plenty of opportunities to communicate.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. If you feel that something may not be right with your child’s speech or language development, it is okay to ask for help.
Get Help From First Words Speech Therapy
At First Words Speech Therapy, we understand how important your child’s ability to communicate is. If you’re wondering whether your child is a late talker or may have childhood apraxia of speech, we’re here to help.
We make getting started easy with a free phone consultation. Contact First Words Speech Therapy today to discuss your concerns and learn more about how a speech and language evaluation may help your child.
