Verbal dyspraxia affects the ability of a child to produce speech. Verbal dyspraxia can  also be referred to as dyspraxia, developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD), childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) or developmental apraxia of speech.

Verbal dyspraxia is a speech disorder that can start to show when a child is learning to speak. A child with verbal dyspraxia has difficulty planning and coordinating their     movement of muscles used (e.g. Tongue, lips, jaw, and palate) to produce the right speech sounds or words. However, there is no actual damage to the child’s nerves or muscles used in speech.

Children with verbal dyspraxia may have difficulty with the speed, accuracy and timing of movement sequences that are required to produce speech. This will often result in delays in speech development.

Signs and Symptoms of Verbal Dyspraxia   

The signs and symptoms depend on the severity of the problem. If your child has verbal dyspraxia, they may:

     Have difficulty making sounds or repeating sequences of sounds or words

     Make different mistakes when they say the same word

     Have difficulty with normal intentional patterns (e.g. Speaking in a monotone, placing equal stress on each syllable in words)

     Have a very limited vocabulary

     speak more slowly than other children their age, and use more pauses and fewer words

     Make searching movements with their lips and tongue when trying to say a sound.