Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) Support at CST Academy

Empowering Your Child’s Voice—One Confident Word at a Time

At CST Academy, we offer specialized support for children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)—a rare and complex motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to clearly and consistently say sounds, syllables, and words. Our expert speech-language pathologists are trained in evidence-based CAS strategies and tailor each session to your child’s individual communication profile, helping them move from frustration to clarity.

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Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) Support at CST Academy

Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Childhood Apraxia of Speech is not just a speech delay—it’s a motor planning disorder that affects how the brain sends messages to the muscles involved in speaking. Children with CAS know what they want to say but struggle to coordinate the movements needed to produce clear speech. This requires frequent, intensive, and individualized support to help the brain and body work together more effectively.

At CST Academy, we support your child with proven CAS approaches that include high repetition, multisensory feedback, and motor-based learning—delivered in a playful, positive, and nurturing environment.

Why Choose CST Academy for CAS Support?

CST Academy offers one of the most comprehensive CAS support programs in the Chicagoland area. We combine the knowledge of licensed speech-language pathologists with the power of multidisciplinary collaboration—all under one roof. Our team works closely with families and other therapists to ensure children receive the holistic support they need to thrive.

We understand that progress with CAS takes time and consistency. That’s why we create structured, highly customized care plans with plenty of encouragement and celebration along the way.

The CST Academy Difference

Choosing the right support for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) means finding a team that understands the unique motor planning challenges your child faces—and knows how to help them succeed. At CST Academy, we provide compassionate, specialized care in a fun, engaging environment where every child can gain confidence in their voice. With experienced speech-language pathologists, individualized CAS treatment plans, and a collaborative, whole-child approach, we support progress that’s not only measurable—but empowering.

Certified & Experienced in CAS

Our speech-language pathologists are trained in evidence-based CAS approaches like DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing) and PROMPT, ensuring your child gets specialized support from day one.

Family Involvement & Home Practice

You’ll receive updates, guided home strategies, and tools to help your child continue building speech skills between sessions—because what happens outside of therapy matters, too.

Play-Based, Repetitive Practice

We make high-repetition speech practice engaging and fun. Our sessions are structured around playful activities that give children multiple chances to succeed and build confidence.

Integrated Support Services

Many children with CAS also benefit from ABA, OT, feeding therapy, or a therapeutic preschool setting. Our team works together to ensure all therapies reinforce each other, accelerating progress.

Helping Your Child Overcome CAS Challenges

At CST Academy, we provide expert support for children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), helping them build the foundational motor planning skills needed for clear, confident communication. Our approach is structured, supportive, and rooted in the latest evidence-based techniques. Here are some of the core areas we focus on:

Motor Planning for Speech

Children with CAS have difficulty coordinating the complex movements needed to produce speech. Our therapists use targeted, repetitive practice and multi-sensory strategies to help your child develop accurate movement patterns for speech production. Each session is carefully structured to support motor learning in a fun, motivating way.

Sound Sequencing & Syllable Formation

CAS often impacts a child’s ability to smoothly transition between sounds and syllables. We work on teaching consistent speech patterns by breaking down words into smaller parts and building them up through structured repetition. This helps children gain better control over their speech muscles and produce clearer words over time.

Speech Intelligibility & Clarity

Our goal is to help your child become more easily understood by others. We focus on improving consistency in sound production, word shaping, and stress patterns—key challenges in CAS. Through individualized support, we reduce frustration and help children gain confidence in being heard and understood.

AAC & Communication Alternatives

While working on speech development, some children benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools such as picture boards or speech-generating devices. These supports ensure your child has a way to express their wants, needs, and ideas as they build their verbal skills. We tailor each tool to your child’s developmental level and communication needs.

Receptive Language Support

Though CAS is a motor-based speech disorder, we also support your child’s ability to understand language. Strengthening receptive language skills—such as following directions or understanding new words—lays the foundation for more effective communication and learning in daily life.

Emotional Support & Confidence Building

CAS can be frustrating for children who struggle to make themselves understood. Our team creates a warm, supportive environment where children are celebrated for their efforts and progress. We build trust, encourage resilience, and help children feel empowered in their communication journey.

Start Your Journey with CST Academy Today

Getting started is easy. Our team is here to listen, guide, and create a care plan tailored to your child and your family.

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When to Seek Support for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Every child’s communication journey is different, but if you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to consider a speech evaluation focused on Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Early identification and targeted support can make a life-changing impact on your child’s ability to communicate clearly and confidently.

Inconsistent Sound Production

Children with CAS may say the same word differently each time they attempt it. This inconsistency is a hallmark of apraxia and can make it difficult for others to understand what your child is trying to say.

Struggles to Imitate Sounds or Words

Your child may be able to understand what you’re saying but have trouble repeating words or sounds—even simple ones. Imitation difficulties are often due to motor planning challenges and are common in children with CAS.

Groping Movements When Speaking

If your child’s mouth, lips, or tongue seem to be “searching” for the right position to make a sound, these visible efforts—called groping—can signal difficulty with coordinating speech movements.

Slow Progress with Speech Despite Practice

Children with CAS often require significantly more repetition and cueing to learn new words or sounds. If your child has had speech support but is progressing more slowly than expected, CAS may be a factor.

Limited Babbling or Early Speech Development

Early signs of CAS can include reduced cooing or babbling in infancy. If your child had a quiet babyhood or was delayed in forming first words, this may warrant a closer look at their motor speech development.

Frustration or Withdrawal from Communication

Because their speech may be difficult to understand, children with CAS can become frustrated when trying to express themselves. They may avoid talking altogether, rely heavily on gestures, or show signs of social withdrawal.

A Place Where Your Child’s Voice Can Grow

Choosing CST Academy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) support means choosing a warm, encouraging space where your child is seen for who they are—not just the words they can or cannot say. We understand that CAS presents unique communication challenges, and our approach is rooted in patience, positivity, and proven methods that empower children to find their voice.

At CST Academy, we believe every child deserves to be heard and understood. That’s why we focus on small, meaningful steps that lead to big progress—celebrating each new sound, word, or expression along the way. Our highly trained speech-language pathologists partner closely with families to provide consistent, individualized care that helps build speech clarity, confidence, and communication success. Here, your child’s voice matters—and we’re here to help it grow.

Where Communication Grows with Confidence

What Parents Say
About Our CAS Support

We came to CST Academy after our daughter was diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and we were overwhelmed. The team immediately put us at ease. They explained every step and created a plan just for her. Now, she’s speaking more clearly and even initiating conversations with family. We’re so grateful!

— Laura M.

Our son had been in speech therapy before, but nothing really clicked until we found CST Academy. Their approach to CAS is thoughtful, consistent, and incredibly effective. The progress he’s made in just a few months has been amazing.

— Daniel T.

CST Academy gave our son the tools—and the confidence—he needed to be understood. CAS can be hard to explain to others, but the therapists here knew exactly how to support him. Every small victory was celebrated, and that made all the difference.

— Samantha P.

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CST Academy Speech Therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Targeted Support to Help Children with CAS Communicate Clearly

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) affects a child’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech, making communication difficult and frustrating. CST Academy’s Speech Therapy program provides specialized, evidence-based intervention tailored to the unique needs of children with CAS. Through consistent, individualized support and a warm, engaging environment, CST Academy helps children build the motor planning skills they need to speak more confidently and effectively.

Speech Therapy