Karen Massey on Apraxia of speech or Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia

Karen Massey is an award-winning child speech therapist, who has been a therapist for the past 16 years. She works at All About Speech Therapy Ltd and Sensory Speech Box Ltd and has written for publications including US Autism Parenting Magazine and UK SEN Magazine as well as the RCSLT Bulletin.

She has three books: Autism and Apraxia of Speech, Helping Children to Speak: Down Syndrome Through the Primary School Years and Total Speech: Blending Techniques in Speech and Language Therapy.

In this session, Karen shares invaluable insights into autism and apraxia of speech. Karen explains what apraxia of speech is – a neurological condition where children struggle to coordinate the muscles needed for speech. This results in speech that sounds very different from their intentions. Key signs include:

• Early struggles with feeding/swallowing coordination
• Delayed or disordered babbling
• Effortful, exhausting speech attempts
• Speech clarity issues

Karen explores the strong link between autism and apraxia. Children with autism often have broader motor planning challenges, so speech coordination troubles are common. Many autistic children could have unidentified apraxia affecting their verbal skills.

The benefits of identifying and treating apraxia are clear – reduced frustration, boosted communication, confidence and self-esteem. Karen shares incredible stories of children making remarkable progress – including older and initially non-verbal children. Her key message is that there is always hope.

Karen provides practical strategies for supporting children with possible apraxia, like:

• Mirroring and carefully observing the child during play
• Identifying and accommodating their sensory needs
• Using signing, pictures and written words to support verbal input
• Helping them feel speech movements physically

She also busts myths around AAC devices limiting speech. The reality is these devices accelerate language development for many children.

With real-life case studies, actionable tips and an emphasis on positivity and potential, this is an unmissable session for anyone wishing to better understand and assist children with autism who have communication challenges.

The RCSLT has moved to the use of the term Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) for, what was known as, DVD until recently in the UK. This episode was originally broadcast on the 22nd of July 2022.

Links:

http://allaboutspeechtherapy.co.uk/

https://all-about-speech-therapy.teachable.com

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-Massey/e/B09NV5755T?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1652905751&sr=8-1

Nuffield Centre, UK:
https://www.ndp3.org/nuffield-centre/

Prevalence of apraxia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6594421/