# When should I worry about Childhood Apraxia of Speech at 18–24 months?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-18-to-24-month-old-might-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

At 18–24 months it is usually too early to confirm Childhood Apraxia of Speech, but it is the right time to notice and monitor. Seek a speech-language check if your toddler has very few or no clear words, babbled little as a baby, seems to struggle or grope to make sounds, or has lost words once used. These are reasons to assess early — not a diagnosis — because early, play-based support works best.

*If your toddler is trying hard to talk but the words just won't come out the way they seem to want, your watchful care is exactly what helps most right now.*

## In short
At 18–24 months it is usually too early to label Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) with confidence — true CAS is hard to diagnose until a child is attempting more words and phrases. What is reasonable now is to *notice and monitor*. Seek a speech-language check if your toddler has very few or no clear words, babbles very little, struggles or appears to "grope" to make sounds, or has lost speech they once had. These are reasons to assess early — not a diagnosis — because early, play-based support works beautifully.

## What to watch at 18–24 months
CAS is a motor-planning difference — the brain knows the word but has trouble *coordinating* the lips, tongue and jaw to say it. At this young age the signs are gentle and overlap with ordinary late talking, so we watch rather than worry:

- **Very limited speech** — few or no clear words by 18 months, or fewer than a handful by 24 months.
- **Quiet babbling history** — limited cooing and babbling as a baby, or a small range of sounds and syllables.
- **Visible effort** — your child seems to *try* to speak, may move the mouth searching for a sound (groping), and the same word comes out differently each time.
- **Understands well, speaks little** — comprehension and gestures (pointing, showing) are good, but spoken words lag far behind.
- **Any loss of skill** — losing words or sounds once used always deserves prompt review.

A child who points, shares interest, follows simple instructions and is clearly *trying* to communicate is showing wonderful strengths — the goal is simply to give the speech motor system early help.

## When to act
If your toddler has very few words by 18–24 months, seems to struggle physically to talk, or you simply feel something is off, arrange a speech-language check now. Trust your instinct — it is good clinical data, and earlier support means easier progress.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online checklist. Our clinicians build your child's own communication baseline, separate ordinary late talking from a motor-planning difference, and begin gentle, play-based work. Learn more about [Childhood Apraxia of Speech](/childhood-apraxia-of-speech) and how our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team supports young talkers.

## Trusted sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (asha.org) guidance on Childhood Apraxia of Speech and early identification; CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" developmental milestones; WHO ICD-11 classification of developmental speech sound disorders.

**Next step —** Trust what you've noticed. [Book a speech and developmental assessment](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india) with a Pinnacle clinician so your toddler's communication is reviewed early, with clarity and care.

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

## Sources
- ASHA — Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/
- CDC — Learn the Signs, Act Early milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- WHO ICD-11 — developmental speech sound disorders: https://icd.who.int/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Toddler-18-24: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler-18-24
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Concern: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/concern
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Special Education: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/special-education
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- How does Childhood Apraxia of Speech affect a child's daily life?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-affect-a-child-s-daily-life
- Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech considered a disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-considered-a-disability
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- What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech and its ICD-11 features?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood
- ICD-11 Classification of Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech

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- When to Worry About Apraxia of Speech at 12–18 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-12-to-18-month-old-might-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- Early Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech at 18–24 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-a-18-to-24-month-old
- Early Signs of Childhood Apraxia of Speech at 12–18 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-a-12-to-18-month-old
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- Can Childhood Apraxia of Speech be cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-be-cured
- Can Childhood Apraxia of Speech be prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-be-prevented
- Do boys show Childhood Apraxia of Speech differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-boys-show-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-differently
- Do girls show Childhood Apraxia of Speech differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-differently
- Should I be worried about Childhood Apraxia of Speech?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-be-worried-my-child-might-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
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### Explore causes & influences
- Are Boys More Likely to Have Childhood Apraxia of Speech?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- Are girls more likely to have Childhood Apraxia of Speech?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-girls-more-likely-to-have-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- What Causes Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Young Children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-young-children
- Early intervention for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: advancing UNCRPD and the SDGs: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-early-intervention-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs
- Contributing factors for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-early-childhood
- Cost-effectiveness of early therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-in-young-children
- Prevalence and Public-Health Burden of Childhood Apraxia of Speech in India: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-among-young-children-in-india

### Understand assessment
- How AbilityScore Tracks Progress in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- How Childhood Apraxia of Speech Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-assessed-in-a-young-child
- How Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech Assessed in Children Under 7?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-assessed-in-children-under-7
- What an AbilityScore of 0–100 Means in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- What an AbilityScore of 100–200 means for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- AbilityScore 200–300 in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- What does an AbilityScore of 300–400 mean for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- What an AbilityScore of 400–500 means for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- What an AbilityScore of 500–600 means in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean for a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- What an AbilityScore of 700–800 means in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- AbilityScore 800–900 in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-800-900-mean-for-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech

### Explore therapy & support
- Can a child with CAS attend mainstream school?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-attend-a-mainstream-school
- Can a Child With Childhood Apraxia of Speech Attend Regular School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-attend-a-regular-school
- Can a Child With Childhood Apraxia of Speech Live Independently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-grow-up-to-live-independently
- How can we support communication development in a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-communication-development-in-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- How Is Childhood Apraxia of Speech Diagnosed in a Child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-diagnosed-in-a-child
- How Childhood Apraxia of Speech Is Supported Through Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-supported-through-therapy
- AbilityScore® for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: next steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next
- AbilityScore 100–200 with Childhood Apraxia of Speech: what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-has-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-what-should-we-do-next
- CAS in the AbilityScore 200–300 Band — What To Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-has-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-what-should-we-do-next
- AbilityScore 300–400 with Childhood Apraxia of Speech: what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-has-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-what-should-we-do-next
- AbilityScore 400–500 with Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Your Next Step: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-has-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-what-should-we-do-next
- AbilityScore 500–600 with Childhood Apraxia of Speech — next steps: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-has-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-what-should-we-do-next

### At home & in everyday life
- How to Support Your Child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-my-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-at-home