Repeat, Repeat, Repeat! Repetition Is Key For Childhood Apraxia Of Speech

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Your child has been diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and suddenly you’re faced with a million questions and unknowns. I’m sure at the top of the list is, “What do I need to do to help my child?” I’ve been there and honestly am always searching for new answers to that question. As our son grows and conquers new mountains, there’s always another one waiting for him that we learn to navigate together. Today though, I want to talk about how repetition is key for childhood apraxia of speech. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

What Do I Mean By Repetition?

When I’m talking about repetition, I’m literally talking about repeating words. One of the greatest ways for children with apraxia of speech to learn is by hearing the same thing over and over. They may be non-verbal and you think your words aren’t getting through, but they are. They are hearing, studying and taking note. Being intentional with them and letting them see how your mouth and tongue are moving greatly impacts their progress. The simple act of repeating common words to them will do wonders. Once they begin speaking, working on a few words at a time and repeating them often will help build their muscle memory.

Why Is Repetition Helpful?

Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor planning disorder. The brain knows what it is supposed to do and the body is capable, but the brain struggles to plan and coordinate the movements and sounds. Essentially, it’s a matter of rewiring the brain to teach it how to execute those skills. Building muscle memory is crucial to progress, and repetition is the best way to get there.

How Can An Augmentative Communication Device Help?

When our son was three years old, we met with a new speech pathologist and he was diagnosed with global apraxia. She quickly began talking to us about getting him an augmentative communication device (ACC). I still remember feeling like I had been punched in the gut. My ignorance got the best of me as I knew nothing about apraxia and just assumed she had given up on him ever speaking. I quickly learned how life changing this device would be. With this device he could hear words repetitively and communicate with us on a daily basis in ways he wasn’t able to before. That was huge on its own, but the next layer was what made the lightbulb go off in my head.

Think about a single word. Let’s use the word “bottle” as an example. The way you say the word and the way your mom or dad say the word can sound very different. Even the way you say “bottle” within different sentences can sound different. Everyone has their own unique inflection and tone so a single word can be heard a million different ways. Think of how confusing that would be to a child whose brain struggles to plan and coordinate movements and sound. With the augmentative communication device your child hears the word the exact same way, with the same tone and inflection every single time. The benefits of that are beyond measure.

Our Favorite Streaming App

I stumbled across this app called BumbleBee Kids one day and it became a staple in our house. It has a set of 10+ videos, each with a different theme. Our son’s favorites were the ones that taught simple words. It is very repetitive and has live video pictures to go along with the words. Words like “train, bottle, baby, milk, etc.” The repetition of simple words, complemented by fun imagery and sound, was a great way to introduce speech concepts.

Toys To Encourage Speech

You can take pretty much any toy and turn it into a toy to encourage speech. Find what your child is drawn to and take time with them to play. Narrate all you’re doing while you’re together. Add sound effects like, “uh-oh” and “ready, set, go” are fun ways to encourage dialogue. Whether they like reading books, playing with play-doh, doing puzzles, racing cars, playing with farm animals or dressing up, there are countless ways to add dialogue and repetitive fun to your time together.