Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Conditions That Often Occur Alongside Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech often co-occurs with other speech and language delays, fine and gross motor coordination difficulties (developmental coordination disorder), early literacy challenges, and sometimes attention or sensory differences. These overlaps mean a child is best understood as a whole, with one joined-up plan — assessed only by clinicians at a Pinnacle centre.
When a child works so hard to make their mouth say what their mind already knows, that effort rarely travels alone — and understanding the company it keeps is the first step to helping fully.
In short
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) often appears alongside other developmental differences rather than on its own. The most common companions are other speech and language difficulties, fine and gross motor coordination challenges (sometimes called developmental coordination disorder), literacy difficulties such as reading and spelling delays, and sometimes attention or sensory-processing differences. Recognising these together — not as separate problems — leads to a far more joined-up, effective plan of support.What often travels alongside CAS
Speech and language- Expressive and receptive language delay — building sentences and understanding language
- Phonological difficulties (the sound-rule system of speech), separate from the motor-planning core of CAS
- Difficulties that later affect reading, spelling and writing, because speech-sound mapping and literacy are closely linked
Motor and coordination
- Fine-motor challenges — handwriting, buttons, using cutlery
- Gross-motor and coordination differences, sometimes recognised as developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia)
- Oral-motor differences affecting feeding or chewing in some children
Learning, attention and sensory
- Attention and focus differences
- Sensory-processing sensitivities
- These overlaps are common but not universal — every child's profile is genuinely their own
None of this means a child has "more wrong". It simply means their development is best understood as a whole picture, so that speech therapy and other support reinforce one another.
When to seek a structured profile
If your child shows speech that is hard to understand alongside any motor, attention or early-literacy concerns, a single broad developmental profile is far more useful than chasing each difficulty separately. The aim is one clear map of strengths and support needs across all domains.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online checklist. Our clinicians look at the whole child, so co-occurring needs are picked up together rather than missed. Learn more about Childhood Apraxia of Speech, how the AbilityScore® is established, and how focused speech therapy fits a wider plan. Backed by 2.5 billion+ data points and 25 million+ therapy sessions across 70+ centres.Trusted sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on Childhood Apraxia of Speech and its frequent co-occurring conditions; WHO ICD-11 framing of developmental speech and motor differences.Next step — Curious where your child stands across speech, motor and learning? Book a Pinnacle developmental check.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Speech that is hard to understand combined with clumsiness or coordination difficulty, trouble with handwriting or early reading, or attention differences — these together suggest a whole-child developmental profile rather than one isolated issue.
Try this at home
Notice patterns across the day, not just speech: how your child manages buttons, cutlery, balance, listening and play. Jot down a few examples to share — it helps a clinician see the full picture.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Does Childhood Apraxia of Speech always come with other conditions?
No. CAS can occur on its own, but it commonly appears alongside other speech and language delays, motor coordination difficulties, or early literacy challenges. Every child's profile is unique, which is why a whole-child assessment is so valuable.
Why is CAS linked to reading and spelling difficulties?
Speech-sound skills and literacy are closely connected, because reading and spelling rely partly on mapping sounds to letters. Children with CAS may therefore need extra support with early reading and writing as they grow.
Is dyspraxia the same as Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
Not exactly. CAS is a motor-planning difficulty specific to speech, while developmental coordination disorder (often called dyspraxia) affects whole-body and fine-motor coordination. The two can co-occur, which is why clinicians assess movement and speech together.