Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech at Every Age: What Dubai Parents Should Look For
The signs of childhood apraxia of speech change with age. In babies and toddlers, parents may notice quiet or limited babbling and late first words. In preschool children, the same word often comes out differently each time. In older children, long words, rhythm and reading can be hard. A speech-language pathologist looks at the overall pattern, not any single sign.
If you are a parent in Dubai wondering whether your child’s speech is “just late” or something more, this guide walks through what childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) can look like at each stage, what you can usefully note at home, and when it makes sense to ask for an assessment. For a full overview of how therapy works, see our childhood apraxia of speech therapy in Dubai page.
What is childhood apraxia of speech, in plain words?
Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder: the difficulty is in planning and sequencing the movements of the lips, jaw and tongue, not in muscle weakness. As our CAS therapy guide explains, a child with CAS usually knows what they want to say, but the instructions from the brain to the speech muscles do not arrive in a reliable, well-timed order.
That is why a child might say a word clearly once and then be unable to say it again. In the UK you may also hear the term developmental verbal dyspraxia.
As you read the signs below, remember that no single sign confirms CAS, and many of these features also appear in other speech difficulties. A speech-language pathologist looks for a pattern.
What are the signs of apraxia of speech in babies and toddlers?
In the youngest children, the signs are mostly about how much sound the child makes and how words arrive.
Signs that may point towards apraxia at this age include:
- Limited babbling as a baby, or babbling that uses only a few different sounds.
- First words arriving late, or words that appear and then seem to disappear.
- Heavy reliance on gestures, pointing, or leading an adult by the hand to show what they want.
- Understanding that is much stronger than spoken language. Your child follows instructions and enjoys stories, yet struggles to say words back.
These signs also occur in general language delay, so they are a reason to look more closely rather than to worry. A diagnosis of CAS can be difficult to confirm in very young children or in children with very few words, and a therapist may describe the picture as “suspected CAS” while therapy begins and the picture becomes clearer.
What does apraxia of speech look like in preschool children?
In the preschool years, the pattern of speech often becomes easier to see because children are trying to say more. This is the stage when many Dubai families first hear the word apraxia.
Signs that may point towards apraxia in preschool children include:
- Inconsistent errors. The same word comes out differently each time your child tries it.
- Effortful transitions. Difficulty moving smoothly from one sound or syllable to the next, with pauses or breaks inside words.
- Vowel errors as well as consonant errors.
- Groping. Visible searching movements of the lips, jaw or tongue before speaking, as if your child is trying to find the right position.
- Easier when spontaneous. Words come out more easily in the moment than when you ask your child to repeat them.
- Clarity drops with length. Speech becomes harder to understand as words and sentences get longer.
What are the signs of apraxia of speech in school-age children?
Older children with CAS often have more words, but some features can continue, and school can bring others to light.
Signs that may point towards apraxia in school-age children include:
- Continued difficulty with longer words, such as “hippopotamus” or “computer”.
- Unusual stress or rhythm, so speech can sound flat, choppy or slightly robotic.
- Reluctance or anxiety about speaking, especially with unfamiliar people or in front of the class.
- Difficulties with reading, spelling or phonological awareness (hearing and playing with the sounds in words).
If you recognise several of these signs, an assessment is the clearest way to understand what is happening. Our article on common speech disorders in children may also help you see where CAS sits among other speech difficulties.
Signs at a glance: a quick checklist by age
| Age stage | What parents may notice |
|---|---|
| Babies and toddlers | Little or limited babbling; late first words; words that come and go; lots of gesturing; understanding far ahead of talking |
| Preschool | Same word said differently each time; breaks between sounds; vowel errors; groping mouth movements; harder on request than spontaneously; less clear in longer words |
| School age | Trouble with long words; flat or choppy rhythm; reluctance to speak; reading, spelling or sound awareness difficulties |
This table is a prompt for a conversation with a professional, not a diagnostic tool.
How is apraxia different from a speech delay?
The short answer is the pattern of errors. Children with a phonological delay or disorder tend to use predictable patterns, for example saying “tat” for “cat” every time, while children with CAS tend to make errors that change from one attempt to the next and find the transitions between sounds effortful.
Other reasons a young child may be hard to understand include a language delay, where the child has fewer words and simpler sentences but says the words they do use consistently, and dysarthria, where speech is affected by weakness or reduced coordination of the speech muscles themselves. Telling these apart matters because each calls for a different kind of therapy. You can read more in our guide to phonological disorders and how speech therapy can help.
What can I note at home before an assessment?
A few simple observations can make an assessment more useful. Over a week or two, try to:
- Record short videos of your child talking during play or mealtimes, so the therapist can see speech in a relaxed setting.
- Write down a handful of words your child tries often, and how they sound on different days.
- Note what helps. Does your child manage better when copying you slowly, or when singing familiar songs?
- List the languages spoken at home and by carers, and which language your child uses most.
- Jot down feeding or mouth observations, such as messy eating or difficulty with certain textures.
Can bilingual children in Dubai have apraxia of speech?
Yes, children who speak more than one language can have CAS, but bilingualism does not cause it, and children with CAS can continue to use more than one language.
An assessment that takes all of your child’s languages into account gives a clearer picture. At ABLE UK, assessment and therapy can take place in English, Arabic or bilingually, and your therapist can help you decide which language to focus on first.
When should I ask for a speech assessment?
If you have noticed several of the signs above, if your child is frustrated about not being understood, or if you simply have a nagging worry, it is reasonable to ask for an assessment rather than wait.
Every child is different, and only an individual assessment by a qualified speech-language pathologist can tell you whether your child’s speech pattern fits CAS or another speech difficulty.
How ABLE UK supports this
ABLE UK has supported families in Dubai since 2014, building on 25 years of UK clinical heritage. We are DHA licensed and DHCC credentialed, with clinics at Dubai Healthcare City and JLT, and an office in Abu Dhabi.
- Speech and language therapy within a wider team. Our paediatric speech and language therapy service sits alongside occupational therapy, physiotherapy, feeding, oral placement, myofunctional therapy, ABA and psychology under one roof, which helps when a child’s needs cross more than one area.
- Motor speech training. Several of our speech-language pathologists are trained to PROMPT Level 3, and our team also uses K-SLP and Oral Placement Therapy.
- Your language. Therapy is available in English, Arabic or bilingually.
- Clear written updates. Families receive a written plan, a three-month progress summary and a discharge or year-end summary.
If any of the signs in this guide sound familiar, the most helpful next step is an individual assessment with one of our speech-language pathologists, who can look at your child’s whole pattern of speech and talk you through what they find.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tell if my child has apraxia of speech at home?
You can notice signs at home, such as words that sound different each time, visible effort to start words, or speech that gets less clear as words get longer. However, many of these signs also appear in other speech difficulties. Only an assessment by a speech-language pathologist can tell you whether the overall pattern fits childhood apraxia of speech, so use your observations as a starting point for that conversation.
At what age can apraxia of speech be diagnosed?
There is no single age at which a diagnosis becomes possible. CAS can be difficult to confirm in very young children or in children who have very few words, because there is not yet enough speech to analyse. In those cases a therapist may describe “suspected CAS”, begin therapy that targets speech movement planning, and review the picture as your child’s speech develops.
Is apraxia of speech the same as a speech delay?
No. A speech or language delay usually means a child is following the typical path more slowly, often with consistent, predictable errors. Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder in which planning and sequencing speech movements is difficult, so errors tend to be inconsistent and transitions between sounds are effortful. The two need different therapy approaches, which is why an accurate assessment matters.
Does speaking two languages cause apraxia of speech?
No. Bilingualism does not cause childhood apraxia of speech, and children with CAS can continue to use more than one language. Many families in Dubai raise children in Arabic, English and other languages. A therapist who can assess in your child’s languages, or take them all into account, will give you the clearest picture of what is happening.
Will my child grow out of apraxia of speech?
CAS is usually a longer-term difficulty rather than something children simply grow out of, and every child’s path is different. How therapy goes depends on many factors, including severity, any other conditions and how much practice happens at home. Your speech-language pathologist can set goals with you and review progress regularly so you always know where things stand.
Can my child use signs or pictures while learning to talk?
Yes, many children with CAS use signs, picture symbols or a speech-generating device alongside speech, and for many families this reduces frustration while spoken words develop. Your therapist can talk through whether this would suit your child. You can find out more on our AAC speech therapy in Dubai page.
Sources
- ABLE UK: Childhood Apraxia of Speech Therapy in Dubai (description of CAS, signs by age, differences from other speech difficulties, bilingualism)
Book a speech assessment in Dubai
If you are concerned about your child’s speech, our team is happy to talk it through. Call 04 552 0351, message us on WhatsApp on +971 52 774 5062, or contact ABLE UK online to arrange an assessment at our Dubai Healthcare City or JLT clinic.