{"h1":"Childhood Apraxia of Speech: ICD-11 features in early childhood","faq":[{"a":"CAS is classified under ICD-11-MMS 6A01.0, Developmental speech sound disorder, within the developmental speech or language disorders grouping. ICD-11 frames this as a persistent difficulty acquiring accurate, intelligible speech not attributable to hearing impairment, structural anomaly or an acquired neurological condition.","q":"What ICD-11 code applies to Childhood Apraxia of Speech?"},{"a":"Dysarthria reflects a neuromuscular execution deficit (weakness, tone or coordination); phonological disorder is a linguistic, rule-based pattern with consistent errors. CAS is a motor planning and programming deficit marked by inconsistent errors, disrupted coarticulatory transitions and inappropriate prosody, without neuromuscular weakness.","q":"How is CAS distinguished from dysarthria and phonological disorder?"},{"a":"Inconsistent errors on repeated productions of the same syllables or words; lengthened and disrupted coarticulatory transitions between sounds and syllables; and inappropriate prosody, particularly in lexical or phrasal stress.","q":"What are the three consensus features of CAS?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech and its ICD-11 features?","entity":{"key":"dyspraxia-verbal","kind":"condition","name":"Childhood Apraxia of Speech","slug":"childhood-apraxia-of-speech"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor","value":"doctor"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Special-Education","value":"special-education"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-children","title":"What causes Childhood Apraxia of Speech in children?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-early-childhood","title":"Contributing factors for Childhood Apraxia of Speech"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-assessed-in-a-young-child","title":"How Childhood Apraxia of Speech Is Assessed in a Young Child"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood","title":"Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Early Childhood"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"ICD-11 Classification of Childhood Apraxia of Speech"}],"summary":"Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a paediatric motor speech-planning disorder coded under ICD-11-MMS 6A01.0 (developmental speech sound disorder). Its consensus features are inconsistent errors on repeated productions, disrupted coarticulatory transitions, and inappropriate prosody, in the absence of neuromuscular weakness — distinguishing it from dysarthria and phonological disorder.","answer_md":"*A child who knows exactly what they want to say but cannot reliably make their mouth produce it — that inconsistency is the signature of apraxia.*\n\n## In short\nChildhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a paediatric motor speech disorder in which the precision and consistency of movements underlying speech are impaired in the absence of neuromuscular weakness. In ICD-11-MMS it is coded under **6A01.0 Developmental speech sound disorder**, within the developmental speech or language disorders grouping. The deficit is one of **planning and programming** the spatiotemporal parameters of speech movement sequences, not of muscle tone or strength.\n\n## The science, briefly\nThree consensus features distinguish CAS from other speech sound disorders: (1) **inconsistent errors** on repeated productions of the same syllables or words; (2) **lengthened and disrupted coarticulatory transitions** between sounds and syllables; and (3) **inappropriate prosody**, particularly in lexical or phrasal stress. In early childhood you may also observe groping articulatory behaviours, a restricted consonant and vowel repertoire, vowel distortions, and errors that increase with utterance length and complexity. ICD-11 frames developmental speech sound disorder as a persistent difficulty acquiring accurate, intelligible speech that is not attributable to hearing impairment, structural anomaly or a neurological condition acquired after the developmental period. Differentiation from dysarthria (a neuromuscular execution deficit) and phonological disorder (a linguistic, rule-based pattern) is essential before targeting motor-based intervention.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nDevelopmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from an app or checklist. Our SLPs use repeated, structured motor-speech sampling to characterise consistency and prosody before planning [intensive, motor-based speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate). Explore the full [Childhood Apraxia of Speech](/childhood-apraxia-of-speech) profile and how the [AbilityScore® is established](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (developmental speech sound disorder); ASHA consensus on the clinical features of Childhood Apraxia of Speech.\n\n**Next step —** Refer a child with inconsistent, effortful, prosodically atypical speech for a Pinnacle motor-speech evaluation.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Childhood Apraxia of Speech: ICD-11 Features","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"When sampling speech, ask the child to repeat the same word several times — true motor-planning inconsistency, not a stable error pattern, is the clue that points toward apraxia rather than a phonological disorder.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:42:00.172548+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"ICD-11 Classification of Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-children","title":"What causes Childhood Apraxia of Speech in children?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood","title":"Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Early Childhood","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"SNOMED CT Concept for Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How does Childhood Apraxia of Speech affect a child's daily life?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-considered-a-disability","title":"Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech considered a disability?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-genetic-or-hereditary","title":"Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech Genetic or Hereditary?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-common-myths-about-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What are common myths about Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What are the types or levels of Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-children-under-7","title":"Early Intervention Outcomes in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (Under 7)","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-other-conditions-often-occur-alongside-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What Other Conditions Often Occur Alongside Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Understand the subject","total":13},{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-early-indicators-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-should-a-paediatrician-watch-for","title":"Early indicators of Childhood Apraxia of Speech a paediatrician should watch for","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-a-doctor-refer-a-child-with-suspected-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-for-developmental-therapy","title":"When to refer suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-be-cured","title":"Can Childhood Apraxia of Speech be cured?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-be-prevented","title":"Can Childhood Apraxia of Speech be prevented?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"do-boys-show-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-differently","title":"Do boys show Childhood Apraxia of Speech differently?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"do-girls-show-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-differently","title":"Do girls show Childhood Apraxia of Speech differently?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-frontline-health-worker-spot-a-child-with-possible-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-early","title":"Spotting Childhood Apraxia of Speech early at the frontline","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"should-i-be-worried-my-child-might-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"Should I be worried about Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"Early Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-a-1-year-old-boy","title":"Early signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech in a 1-year-old boy","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-a-1-year-old-girl","title":"Early Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech in a 1-Year-Old Girl","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-a-12-to-18-month-old","title":"Early Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech at 12–18 Months","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Recognise signs & concerns","total":46},{"key":"causes","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-early-childhood","title":"Contributing factors for Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"are-boys-more-likely-to-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"Are Boys More Likely to Have Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"are-girls-more-likely-to-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"Are girls more likely to have Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-early-intervention-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs","title":"Early intervention for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: advancing UNCRPD and the SDGs","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-young-children","title":"What Causes Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Young Children?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-young-children","title":"Cost-effectiveness of early therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-among-young-children-in-india","title":"Prevalence and Public-Health Burden of Childhood Apraxia of Speech in India","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore causes & influences","total":7},{"key":"assess","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-assessed-in-a-young-child","title":"How Childhood Apraxia of Speech Is Assessed in a Young Child","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-recommended-screening-and-diagnostic-pathway-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-children-under-7","title":"CAS: Screening and Diagnostic Pathway Under 7","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"How AbilityScore Tracks Progress in Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-assessed-in-children-under-7","title":"How Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech Assessed in Children Under 7?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What an AbilityScore of 0–100 Means in Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What an AbilityScore of 100–200 means for Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"AbilityScore 200–300 in Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What does an AbilityScore of 300–400 mean for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What an AbilityScore of 400–500 means for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What an AbilityScore of 500–600 means in Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"What an AbilityScore of 700–800 means in Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Understand assessment","total":16},{"key":"therapy","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-grandparent-or-caregiver-how-can-i-support-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-day-to-day","title":"Supporting a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech day to day","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-attend-a-mainstream-school","title":"Can a child with CAS attend mainstream school?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-attend-a-regular-school","title":"Can a Child With Childhood Apraxia of Speech Attend Regular School?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-grow-up-to-live-independently","title":"Can a Child With Childhood Apraxia of Speech Live Independently?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-classroom-teacher-help-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-take-part-and-learn","title":"How a Teacher Can Support a Child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-district-early-intervention-programme-identify-and-support-children-under-7-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"Childhood Apraxia of Speech in District Early Intervention","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-include-and-support-a-young-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-a-mainstream-classroom","title":"How a Teacher Can Support a Child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-we-support-communication-development-in-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech","title":"How can we support communication development in a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-therapy-help-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-make-progress","title":"Therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-diagnosed-in-a-child","title":"How Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech Diagnosed in a Child?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-supported-through-therapy","title":"How Childhood Apraxia of Speech Is Supported Through Therapy","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next","title":"AbilityScore® for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: next steps","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore therapy & support","total":63},{"key":"home","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-i-support-my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-at-home","title":"How to Support Your Child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech at Home","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"At home & in everyday life","total":1}],"what_to_watch":"Inconsistent errors on repeated attempts at the same word, lengthened or disrupted transitions between sounds and syllables, atypical lexical or phrasal stress, articulatory groping, and errors that worsen as utterance length increases.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/browse11","code":"6A01.0","label":"WHO ICD-11 MMS — Developmental speech sound disorder"},{"url":"https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/","label":"ASHA — Childhood Apraxia of Speech"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T10:42:00.172548+00:00","meta_description":"CAS is a motor speech-planning disorder under ICD-11 6A01.0. Learn its three consensus features — inconsistent errors, disrupted transitions, atypical pros","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}