CAS
Pronunciation: /siː eɪ ɛs/
Also written as: CAS — Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a neurological pediatric speech disorder affecting motor planning for speech sound production.
Full Definition
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological disorder affecting the precision and consistency of movements underlying speech production in children. Unlike acquired apraxia of speech in adults, CAS is present from birth and is not due to muscle weakness or paralysis. Children with CAS know what they want to say but have difficulty coordinating the complex oral movements necessary for clear speech. Core features include inconsistent errors on consonants and vowels, lengthened and disrupted coarticulatory transitions, and inappropriate prosody. CAS requires intensive, frequent therapy using motor-based treatment approaches rather than traditional articulation therapy methods.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from acquired apraxia of speech in adults and from other pediatric motor speech disorders.
In Context
- "The differential diagnosis confirmed CAS rather than a phonological disorder based on inconsistent error patterns." — Diagnostic evaluation report
- "CAS treatment utilized PROMPT techniques to address motor planning deficits." — Therapy progress note