Speech Therapy for Verbal Dyspraxia (Apraxia of Speech)

Written and reviewed by the DrSensory editorial team against cited evidence and national clinical guidelines · How we write and who reviews it · Last updated August 28, 2026

This page covers verbal dyspraxia, clinically called childhood apraxia of speech — a motor speech disorder distinct from developmental coordination disorder, despite the shared name. In childhood apraxia of speech, the difficulty is in planning and sequencing the movements needed for speech rather than in muscle weakness or in language itself. A child knows what they want to say and can't reliably organize their mouth to say it, which is why speech is inconsistent — the same word may come out differently each time. Treatment requires frequent, intensive practice of speech movements, and augmentative communication is frequently used alongside so a child can communicate while speech is being built.

Key takeaways

This covers verbal dyspraxia, clinically called childhood apraxia of speech, which is a motor speech disorder distinct from developmental coordination disorder despite the shared name.
In childhood apraxia of speech the difficulty is in planning and sequencing the movements needed for speech rather than in the sounds themselves.
Treatment is high frequency and high repetition, often several sessions weekly rather than one, with substantial practice between.
The work is movement-focused rather than sound-focused: sequencing movements, not individual sounds in isolation.
AAC is not a fallback. A child who cannot yet make themselves understood needs a way to communicate while speech is being built.
Prosody and rhythm are frequently affected, alongside consistency of production and intelligibility.

** Naming caution: this page covers verbal dyspraxia — childhood apraxia of speech — which is a different condition from DCD.** State that clearly at the top.

Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder affecting the planning and sequencing of speech movements. → Apraxia of speech

And immediately: This is different from developmental coordination disorder, also called dyspraxia, which affects general motor coordination. → DCD · OT for dyspraxia

What speech therapy addresses here

Motor planning for speech — the core difficulty · consistency of production · prosody and rhythm, frequently affected · AAC alongside, so a child can communicate now · intelligibility strategies · frequent, intensive practice

What treatment looks like

High frequency and high repetition. CAS treatment typically requires more frequent sessions than other speech difficulties — often several times weekly rather than once — with substantial practice between.

Movement-focused rather than sound-focused. The work is on sequencing movements, not on individual sounds in isolation.

AAC is not a fallback. A child who can't yet make themselves understood needs a way to communicate while speech is being built.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is verbal dyspraxia the same as dyspraxia?

No. Childhood apraxia of speech affects speech movement planning; developmental coordination disorder affects general motor coordination. The shared name causes frequent confusion, and a child can have both.

Why is my child's speech inconsistent?

That inconsistency is characteristic — the difficulty is in planning the movement, so the same word can come out differently each time.

How often is therapy needed?

More frequently than for many speech difficulties. Intensive, repeated practice is central.

Should we use AAC?

Frequently yes, alongside speech work. It gives a child a way to communicate while speech develops.

Sources

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Childhood Apraxia of Speech. ASHA Practice Portal. www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/ Checked August 24, 2026.

Disclaimer. For general educational purposes; not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Speak to a qualified clinician about your child.