developmental apraxia
Pronunciation: ah-PRAK-see-ah
A motor speech disorder affecting the ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for speech production.
Full Definition
Developmental apraxia of speech, also known as childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), is a neurological disorder affecting the precision and consistency of movements underlying speech. Children with this condition have difficulty planning and programming the motor movements required for speech, despite having the desire to communicate and adequate muscle strength. The disorder is characterized by inconsistent speech sound errors, difficulty with prosody and rhythm, and increased errors with longer or more complex utterances. Early identification and intensive speech therapy intervention are crucial for improving communication outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from acquired apraxia and other motor speech disorders; specify 'developmental' or 'childhood' apraxia of speech.
In Context
- "The speech-language pathologist diagnosed developmental apraxia based on the child's inconsistent sound production patterns." — Diagnostic report
- "Children with developmental apraxia benefit from intensive, frequent speech therapy sessions using motor-based approaches." — Treatment recommendation