6. Increased Difficulty with Longer Words: The Length-Complexity Effect
Another symptom commonly observed in children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech is an increased difficulty with longer words and phrases. This symptom, often referred to as the length-complexity effect, is a distinctive feature of CAS.
In typical speech development, children gradually expand their speech complexity as they grow older. They start with single syllables, then move on to simple words, and eventually start combining words into phrases and sentences. However, for children with CAS, this progression can be particularly challenging.
Children with CAS often have more difficulty as the length and complexity of the utterances increase. They might be able to say single syllable words or simple two-syllable words but struggle with longer words or phrases. For example, a child might be able to say ‘cat’ and ‘dog’ but struggle with a longer word like ‘elephant’ or a phrase like ‘big dog.’
This increased difficulty with longer words and phrases arises from the increased demands on the child’s motor planning and programming system. Longer words require more precise sequencing of movements, which can be a significant challenge for children with CAS.
Recognizing this symptom can help parents and caregivers understand why their child might be struggling more with certain words or phrases. It can also inform the therapeutic approach, with speech-language pathologists often designing therapy activities to gradually increase speech complexity while considering the child’s individual capabilities and rate of progress. With consistent and targeted intervention, children with CAS can gradually improve their ability to tackle longer and more complex speech tasks. (6)
