If your child has childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), the diagnosis can sometimes feel overwhelming. You want to support your child in every way you can and make sure others understand them. Apraxia is a motor-planning disorder in which the brain has difficulty communicating with the muscles in the mouth and directing the movements needed for speech.
Children with apraxia will likely need specialized services and support, including speech therapy or accommodations at school. Fortunately, there are many ways to support your child and help them access the services they need. This article covers:
- How to support your child emotionally
- Other diagnoses and symptoms that may coexist with CAS
- Services your child may need, including an IEP or 504 plan
- How to advocate for your child
How to support a child with apraxia
One of the best ways to help your child with apraxia is to show them that their thoughts and needs matter and that you recognize what they are communicating. Even when their speech is difficult to understand, you can watch their facial expressions and gestures for clues about what they are saying. When you clearly understand what your child is trying to communicate, make sure they know it.
If your child seems sad or frustrated, offer extra comfort. Your support shows them that you notice and care about how they feel.
Even when you do not understand your child’s speech, you can show them that you recognize and care about what they need.
Encourage and praise your child when they try to communicate. You might say, “You are trying so hard! I’m so proud of you.” Children need support when they attempt something challenging, even when they are not successful by “mainstream” standards.
You can also support your child by helping them practice their speech regularly. When your speech therapist provides activities to do at home, make every effort to complete them with your child. Home practice helps skills learned during therapy carry over into everyday life. The more your child practices, the more progress they will see.
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Conditions that may coexist with childhood apraxia
CAS can occur on its own, but some children have other diagnoses alongside apraxia. These conditions may affect the services and support a child needs.
For some children, a genetic component likely causes or contributes to CAS. In certain cases, CAS may be linked to specific syndromes, including Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, or Noonan’s syndrome. However, not every child with one of these syndromes has CAS, and not every child with CAS has one of these syndromes.
CAS may also occur with neurological impairment caused by a stroke, epilepsy, or traumatic brain injury. It can develop as a complication of these events.
Children may also have challenges with language development, literacy skills such as learning to read and write, and social language.
Other motor-related issues that can occur with CAS include:
- Gross and fine motor difficulties
- Clumsiness
- Oral apraxia
- Feeding difficulties
- Abnormal orosensory perception, meaning hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity in the mouth
How to advocate for your child with CAS
Advocating for your child means speaking on their behalf and asking for what they need to thrive. No one is better equipped for that role than you. You know your child better than anyone, and being their caregiver has already prepared you to pursue the services they need.
To advocate effectively, learn as much as you can about your child’s label or diagnoses. Their therapists, specialists, teachers, and doctors can offer valuable insight. Other families raising a child with apraxia can also be an important source of knowledge. Parent support groups offer opportunities to learn from their experiences. Apraxia Kids provides several support groups to choose from, both online and in communities around the country.
It is also helpful to learn about your child’s rights under special education law. The section below explains these rights in more detail.
For many caregivers, having a label attached to their child can be difficult, whether it relates to autism, apraxia, a speech delay, or another diagnosis. Yet labels can help a child receive funding, therapy, other services, and support from a community. Understanding these benefits may make the label easier to accept.
If your child needs help at home or school, begin researching the resources available to them. As noted earlier, families following a similar path can be an excellent source of information. Your child’s pediatrician and speech therapist can also help.
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Understanding IEPs and 504 plans for children with apraxia
Starting school can be exciting and intimidating for families. If your child has communication difficulties, a range of school-based resources may be available. Some of those resources are explained below, and Apraxia Kids also provides helpful guidance about them.
Individualized Education Plan/Program (IEP): This legal document is developed in the United States for each child with special needs. The IEP is created by a team of teachers, specialists, therapists, and parents or guardians. It documents the child’s goals and how those goals will be addressed in public school. An IEP may include special education services, accommodations, or changes to the child’s learning environment.
504 plan: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It was created to protect children with special needs. Under Section 504, schools must create a formal plan for accommodating a student with a disability. For example, a plan might provide extra time on tests.
504 plans are not part of special education. They are different from IEPs because they are governed by different laws and operate in different ways. However, they share the same central goal: helping students succeed in school.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): If your child has a diagnosed disability, they are entitled to FAPE. FAPE makes the government responsible for paying for the education of students with disabilities. This may include therapy, other services, or communication devices. Children who qualify for FAPE receive an IEP supervised by their public school. FAPE is part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Learning about special education laws can clarify what your child is entitled to receive.
You do not have to become a special education expert to advocate for your child, even if it sometimes feels as though you are becoming one. Still, learning about special education laws can help you understand what your child is entitled to receive. If you have the means, you may also consider hiring a special education attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the process and make sure your child receives all the services and accommodations they are legally entitled to.
How to talk with your child’s teacher about apraxia
Get to know your child’s teachers and other school staff. They are often an excellent source of information about available services and how the process works. You can schedule a meeting with the school whenever you have questions. At the beginning of each school year, tell your child’s teacher about the challenges your child may face. It helps when everyone is informed and working from the same understanding.
Parenting a child with apraxia is not always easy. But you play an important part in helping your child build confidence and develop their abilities. Reach out when you need support. Many people and resources are available to help.