ICD-11 Classification of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (6A01.0)

A child who knows exactly what they want to say, yet cannot reliably make the mouth produce it — that is the clinical signature ICD-11 now codes precisely.

In short

In ICD-11-MMS, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is classified under 6A01.0 — Developmental speech sound disorder, within the broader grouping of Developmental speech or language disorders (6A01) in the neurodevelopmental disorders block. CAS is the motor-planning subtype: speech production is impaired because of difficulty planning and sequencing the articulatory movements for speech, in the absence of neuromuscular deficit. The code captures a disorder of praxis for speech, distinct from phonological disorder or dysarthria.

The classification, in clinical terms

ICD-11 situates speech sound difficulties under 6A01.0 Developmental speech sound disorder, the parent category that encompasses the apraxic presentation. The defining features that differentiate CAS from other 6A01.0 presentations are well established in consensus criteria: inconsistent errors on repeated productions of the same word, disrupted coarticulatory transitions between sounds and syllables, and inappropriate prosody — particularly lexical or phrasal stress. These reflect a deficit in the planning and programming of speech movements rather than in phonological representation alone.

Two distinctions matter at the point of coding:

• vs phonological/articulation disorder — errors in CAS are markedly inconsistent and worsen with increasing length and complexity of utterance.
• vs dysarthria — there is no consistent weakness, slowness or incoordination of the speech musculature; non-speech oromotor function is often preserved.

ICD-11 deliberately uses the ICF functioning frame, so the code describes impact on communicative participation, not a fixed prognosis.

When to refer

Refer to a speech-language pathologist for differential assessment when a child shows groping articulatory behaviour, vowel distortions, inconsistent productions and limited consonant inventory disproportionate to receptive language. Early, intensive, motor-based therapy is the evidence-supported pathway.

The Pinnacle way

A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from a code lookup or an online form. Our clinician-administered structured assessment profiles speech-motor planning alongside language and oromotor function so that intervention targets the right level. Explore our speech therapy pathway, understand how the AbilityScore® is established, or begin at the Pinnacle Blooms Network home.

Trusted sources

WHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, neurodevelopmental disorders chapter; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association technical guidance on Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Next step — Suspect apraxia in a child you're seeing? Refer to a Pinnacle speech-language clinician for differential assessment.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.