Therapy guides

Speech Therapy for Verbal Dyspraxia (Apraxia of Speech)

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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

Full guidesSpeech therapyDyspraxia and DCD

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: reflexes are intact and muscle tone is typical. A child may know what they want to say and still not reliably organize their mouth to say it, which is why speech is inconsistent — the same word may come out differently each time. Treatment involves frequent, intensive practice of speech movements, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can be used alongside so a child can communicate while speech is being built.⁠1

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 intensive and individualized, with frequent practice and many repetitions of speech targets.⁠1
  • The work is movement-focused rather than sound-focused: sequencing movements, not individual sounds in isolation.⁠1
  • AAC is not a fallback. A child who cannot yet make themselves understood needs a way to communicate while speech is being built.
  • Inconsistent errors, disrupted transitions between sounds and syllables, and atypical prosody, especially stress, are core features.⁠1

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

Some professionals still call childhood apraxia of speech developmental verbal dyspraxia. Developmental coordination disorder, which is also called dyspraxia, is a different condition that affects general motor coordination, and it can occur alongside childhood apraxia of speech.⁠1 → DCD · OT for dyspraxia

What does speech therapy work on in verbal dyspraxia?

Motor planning for speech — the core difficulty · consistency of production · prosody and stress, a core feature · AAC alongside, so a child can communicate now · intelligibility strategies · frequent, intensive practice⁠1

What does speech therapy for verbal dyspraxia look like?

High frequency and high repetition. Intensive, individualized treatment is often necessary. In one comparison, 100 practice trials in 15 minutes led to quicker learning of targets, and more carryover, than 30 to 40 trials in the same time.⁠1

Movement-focused rather than sound-focused. The work is on sequencing movements, not on individual sounds in isolation.⁠1

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. A child can have both.⁠1
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.⁠1
How often is therapy needed?
Intensive, individualized treatment is often necessary, with frequent, repeated practice of speech targets.⁠1
Should we use AAC?
Often, alongside speech work. AAC gives a child a way to communicate while speech develops, and it can support speech production at the same time.⁠1

RelatedSpeech therapyDyspraxia and DCD

Sources

  1. 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.

Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your child.