What is Apraxia?

We have heard the word apraxia for over a year now.  There has never been a formal diagnosis until now, but it has been in our minds for a while.  Sam has childhood apraxia of speech.  We are still learning about this diagnosis, so we have a long way to go in understanding this challenge.
Here is what we know:

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a neurological motor speech disorder in which a child has difficulty rapidly, accurately, and consistently producing and timing the movement sequences needed to produce speech.  CAS is not due to having weak muscles for speech. There are several characteristics that are generally accepted to distinguish CAS from other types of speech delays and disorders.

1. Difficulty achieving, maintaining and moving between sounds i.e. saying "b" and then "p".
2. Difficulty with smooth movement transitions between sounds and syllables i.e. to say "up" Sam has to break it down - "u" - "p".
(Apraxia Fact Sheet).

Working with Sam is going to take a whole team of people, including his family, friends, and teachers.  To learn more about childhoood apraxia of speech, go to http://www.apraxia-kids.org/guides/family-start-guide/