Apraxia Speech Therapy for Children Across  Australia

Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological motor speech disorder that affects a child’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for clear speech. The child understands language and knows what they want to say, but their brain struggles to send the correct signals to the lips, tongue, jaw and palate.

CAS affects approximately 1 to 2 children per 1,000 and is recognised by Speech Pathology Australia as a significant communication disorder. Children with CAS often present with inconsistent speech errors, limited babbling in infancy and difficulty imitating sounds. Their speech can sound effortful, choppy or robotic.

How Apraxia Speech Therapy Works

Effective apraxia speech therapy focuses on helping the brain develop reliable motor plans for speech through intensive, repetitive practice. At Astrad Allied Health, our SPA-certified speech pathologists use evidence-based approaches tailored to each child’s needs, including:

• Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for guided jaw, lip and tongue movements
• Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme (NDP3) for building speech from individual sounds to connected speech
• PROMPT therapy for tactile-kinaesthetic motor planning support
• Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol for simplified word targets

Our mobile service model brings therapy directly to families across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, removing the travel burden that often prevents consistent scheduling.

Signs Your Child May Have Apraxia of Speech

Common indicators of CAS include:

• Limited or absent babbling during infancy
• Inconsistent pronunciation of the same word
• Difficulty combining sounds into syllables and words
• Noticeable effort or groping movements when attempting speech

CAS is a motor planning disorder, distinct from articulation disorders (where specific sounds are consistently mispronounced) and language delays (where a child has difficulty understanding or using words). A clinical assessment by a qualified speech pathologist is essential for accurate diagnosis.

The Importance of Intensive, Frequent Therapy

Research supports frequent therapy for children with CAS, ideally 3 to 5 sessions per week. The brain needs repeated practice to establish the neural pathways responsible for speech motor planning.

Astrad’s mobile therapy model supports this intensity by delivering sessions in your home, school or community setting. Our speech pathologists also provide home practice activities and parent coaching to extend therapy gains into everyday communication.

AAC Support During Apraxia Speech Therapy

Some children with CAS benefit from Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools while building their verbal speech skills. AAC provides children with a way to communicate their needs and reduces frustration during the therapy process. Options may include picture communication boards, speech-generating devices or communication apps.

Our speech pathologists conduct AAC assessments and integrate these tools into the child’s overall therapy plan. Research supports the use of AAC alongside apraxia speech therapy, and evidence shows it does not hinder verbal speech development.

NDIS Funding for Apraxia Speech Therapy

CAS is commonly funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as it significantly impacts a child’s functional communication. NDIS funding can cover speech pathology sessions, AAC assessments and devices, and therapy resources. Our team supports families through initial access requests, plan reviews and service agreements.

Individual results vary. Assessment findings and therapy outcomes depend on each child’s unique circumstances.

We also support families who access therapy through aged care funding or private arrangements. To learn more about how we can support your child, call our team on (07) 3477 9366 or book an appointment online.