Clinicians' Perspectives on Diagnosing and Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Children Under 3 Years Old

What is it about?

This study examines how speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat childhood apraxia of speech in children under three years old. Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor-based speech disorder that affects how children plan and produce speech movements. Although research shows that the disorder has genetic involvement and that young children can benefit from early intervention, little is known about how clinicians approach diagnosis and treatment in children under three. We surveyed 298 early intervention speech-language pathologists across the United States to understand their beliefs about early diagnosis, whether they share the diagnosis with families, and how they manage treatment for very young children with childhood apraxia of speech.

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Photo by Nellie Adamyan on Unsplash

Photo by Nellie Adamyan on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study found that many clinicians (40%) believe childhood apraxia of speech cannot be diagnosed before age three, and more than half (52%) would not tell caregivers about the diagnosis in very young children. These beliefs may delay access to effective, motor-based treatment during an important developmental period. The study also found that clinicians with more continuing education on childhood apraxia of speech were more likely to hold accurate clinical opinions. Finally, the study found different strengths and weaknesses in how early intervention speech-language pathologists are treating childhood apraxia of speech in very young children. By identifying gaps between research and clinical practice, this work highlights the need for improved training and clearer guidance to support early diagnosis, timely intervention, and informed support for families.