How early can you diagnose childhood apraxia of speech?

CAS is difficult to diagnose very early because all toddlers make speech errors. A reliable diagnosis is typically made after age 3, when speech skills should be more developed. Before this age, children may be described as “at risk for CAS” if they show strong early signs like limited babbling, inconsistent errors, or difficulty imitating sounds.

Early intervention can still begin before a formal diagnosis, which helps improve long-term outcomes.

If your toddler shows signs of CAS, book a consultation with us for early support.