Which characteristics are indicative of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)?

The characteristic of displaying inconsistencies in articulation performance is a hallmark indicator of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Children with CAS often demonstrate variability in their ability to produce sounds and words correctly, which means they may pronounce the same word differently on separate occasions. This inconsistency arises from the neurological basis of CAS, where the brain struggles to effectively plan and coordinate the movements necessary for clear speech. As a result, a child might articulate a word correctly at one time and then struggle to produce it accurately at another, highlighting the unpredictability of their speech production.

The other characteristics mentioned do not align with CAS as clearly. For example, decreased strength and muscle coordination typically relate to dysarthria rather than apraxia, and the making of the same errors regardless of the length of the utterance points more towards other speech and language disorders. Finally, while disruptions in rate, rhythm, and stress could be observed in various speech disorders, they are not specific to childhood apraxia of speech, which is primarily defined by the inconsistency of articulation. Focusing on the inconsistency in articulation performance captures the essential nature of CAS, distinguishing it from other communication disorders.