Speech therapy for childhood apraxia of speech

Why CAS needs a specific approach

Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor-planning disorder, not a difficulty with the rules of sounds — so the therapy that works for other speech sound disorders isn't the right fit. CAS responds to frequent, intensive practice of speech movements and sequences, structured around motor-learning principles. Evidence-based approaches include Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST, developed in Australia) and the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme (NDP3).

What that means in practice:

• Careful diagnosis first — CAS is easily confused with other speech sound disorders
• Movement, not isolated sounds — practising syllables and transitions
• High repetition — CAS needs more practice trials than most conditions
• Structured progression — building from simpler to more complex sequences

Frequency is the active ingredient

The thing that makes CAS therapy work is practice volume. A weekly session alone isn't enough — so coaching parents to run short, accurate, frequent practice between sessions is central. The online format suits this well: the clinician trains and fine-tunes; you deliver the daily practice in real life.

When CAS travels with something else

CAS can co-occur with other communication needs:

• CAS + language disorder — motor speech and language can both need support, coordinated in one speech plan.
• CAS + literacy difficulties — sound-sequencing challenges can extend to early reading and spelling.

Hey Sprout's single intake catches these connections so you get one coordinated plan.

NDIS funding

Whether CAS meets NDIS access criteria depends on severity, persistence, and functional impact; a speech pathologist's assessment supports an access request. If approved, speech therapy is funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. For families without NDIS funding, sessions are private-pay at the NDIS rate.