3. Inconsistent Errors: The Unpredictability of Speech Production
One of the symptoms that set Childhood Apraxia of Speech apart from other speech and language disorders is inconsistent errors in speech. These inconsistencies, which primarily stem from the child’s struggles with motor planning, are often quite puzzling for parents and caregivers trying to understand their child’s speech patterns.
When it comes to speech production, children with CAS often exhibit significant variability. The same word may be articulated correctly one moment and mispronounced the next.
This lack of consistency extends to sounds and syllables as well. For example, a child might have difficulty with a specific syllable in one context but then pronounce it correctly in a different word or sentence.
To illustrate, consider the word “butterfly.” A child with CAS might say “butterfly” correctly in one instance but may struggle and say “buh-fly” the next time. Alternatively, the child might correctly say the syllable “-fly” in “butterfly” but then struggle with the same syllable in a different word like “dragonfly.”
These inconsistent speech errors can make it challenging to understand the child’s speech, not just for those unfamiliar with the child but often for the parents and caregivers as well. However, these inconsistencies are not due to lack of effort or attention on the child’s part. Instead, they are a manifestation of the child’s difficulty in planning and programming speech movements.
Inconsistencies can also occur across different speaking situations. A child with CAS might have more pronounced difficulties when they’re tired, stressed, or distracted.
On the other hand, their speech might be more intelligible when they’re relaxed, engaged, and confident. This variability can sometimes make it seem as if the child is “choosing” when to speak well, leading to misconceptions about the nature of their disorder.
Over time, these inconsistent speech errors can lead to frustration for the child, as their inability to consistently and accurately reproduce sounds and words can hinder their ability to express their thoughts and needs. Therefore, recognizing this symptom is a crucial step towards seeking the right help and support for the child. (3)
