Giving a voice to individuals with apraxia of speech
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
(Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia)
Acquired apraxia of speech
Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech
About Speech Apraxia UK
Welcome to Speech Apraxia UK
We are a growing, internationally recognised leading non-commercial community organisation. We support those with apraxia of speech, whether childhood, acquired, or primary progressive.
Services we offer-
Advice from a team of specialists
Comprehensive information on therapies and diagnoses
Showcase research and recruit participants/collaborators
Parent/Carer network
Events/training
Professionals Speech Apraxia Network
Newsletter
Therapy App reviews
Extensive resource gallery.
Speech Apraxia UK — Reaching 85+ countries acrosss our website and social media network to raise awareness worldwide.
Speech Apraxia UK is part of the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance
Our aim is to empower, inform, and support people with apraxia of speech. Thank you for joining our Speech Apraxia UK community
Ruth Rowntree MSc, BSc (Hons), DipHE, HCPC Reg, MRCSLT —Founder of Speech Apraxia UK
Become a member of Speech Apraxia UK
It is FREE
Get our newsletter
Hear about events
Get the latest news
Join our parent/carer support network
Volunteer
Get advice and assistance.
Your membership enables us to
- Better understand our membership so we can offer appropriate support, activities, and events;
- Know how many of you have speech apraxia and/or are relatives or professionals
- It helps us to design the website and our social media coverage based on your needs, interests and geographical location
Use this link
https://forms.office.com/r/6t0msV1w9z
.
Latest news
Petition-Create a National Strategy for CAS-Please sign
We want the Government to create and fund a National Strategy for CAS, which should include:
- Increase education of CAS.
- Set up and fund a working group of experts and families to advise Government.
- Create a strategy across health and education sectors, similar to autism and dyslexia.
Speech Apraxia uk in the news! Worcester speech therapist Hazel Shaw recognised as expert
Speech Apraxia UK in the news, along with our fantastic volunteer Hazel Shaw writes “In August this year I was invited by fellow speech and language therapist Ruth Rowntree, founder of the new organisation Speech Apraxia UK, to become both a friend of Childhood Apraxia of Speech and their professional expert. I was delighted to accept and am now an active member of this organisation which works closely with experts, not only across the UK but also internationally, including colleagues in the USA and Canada.”
Speech Apraxia UK is now part of the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance!
Speech Apraxia UK is now part of the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance!
The Speech, Language and Communication Alliance has been formed to ensure that the UK Government, and national and local policymakers are focused on the issue of speech, language and communication, and the potential impact of these on all children and young people when developing or reviewing policy, legislation and services.
Latest events
Speech Apraxia UK is now part of the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance!
Parents & Carers Group (Online + WhatsApp)
Online Meet-up: 19 November 2025, 7:00 PM (UK time)
(Please note: you must be a member of the group to join.)
Christmas Meet-up (In Person)
Date: 7 December 2025, 12:00 PM
Location: Farmers Arms, Wham Lane, Preston PR4 4JS
Families welcome! Special Guest Mikey Akers from Mikey's Wish Foundation.
I’ll be there to meet everyone — please email info@speechapraxia.co.uk to confirm your attendance.
International Speech Apraxia Professional Network
Register for groups/networks using our membership form
What are we up to?-Register for our newsletter
Meeting with RCSLT CEO Steve Jamieson to discuss our work
Get Involved
Need advice or have a question?
Training/lived experience talk (FREE *)
Training/lived experience talk (FREE *)
Our amazing team of SLTs/SLPs the ‘Friends of Speech Apraxia’ are here to help. They’ve generously offered their time and expertise to answer your questions. Use this form to reach out for information, support, and friendly advice https://forms.office.com/r/1T5mpuw5JS
Training/lived experience talk (FREE *)
Training/lived experience talk (FREE *)
Training/lived experience talk (FREE *)
We can offer training or personal experience talks. These are FREE if online to a non-funded group. Otherwise there is a small charge to cover our running costs.https://forms.office.com/r/aJS92UAjFq
Share research/recruit participants /product reviews
Share research/recruit participants /product reviews
Share research/recruit participants /product reviews
Help to support our running costs.
Share research/recruit participants /product reviews
Share research/recruit participants /product reviews
Currently Speech Apraxia UK is mainly unfunded. Most of our services are FREE. We provide extensive support, information, and awareness around Speech Apraxia. If you would like to contribute, it would really help. Please use the secure 'Stripe' donation link.
Training, podcast and events
Podcast-Talking Speech Apraxia
Support for SLT/SLPs working with speech apraxia
Podcast-Talking Speech Apraxia
Listen to our NEW official podcast Talking Speech Apraxia, a heartfelt, insipiring show featuring a range of experts in speech apraxia, (Pictured is Alonna Bondar form Bondar Speech who did a fantastic podcast anwering your questions on treating speech apraxia)
Training/ press enquiries
Support for SLT/SLPs working with speech apraxia
Podcast-Talking Speech Apraxia
Speech Apraxia UK, founded by Ruth Rowntree, works alongside our amazing volunteer team — the Friends of Speech Apraxia UK . Training to volunteer groups is FREE otherwise it is a small donation. Book online with QR code or emailinfo@speechapraxia.co.uk.
We welcome joint training. press and conference requests.
Testimonials:
SLT University student: “I didn’t realise the lifelong impact of childhood apraxia of speech.”
SLT professional: “It was inspiring and informative.”
Support for SLT/SLPs working with speech apraxia
Support for SLT/SLPs working with speech apraxia
Extensive resources
Professional Networks
Training providers
Research Opportunity
Join Lucy's study, 'Making Speech Technology More Inclusive: Understanding User Needs Across Different Populations.' Your help could make speech technology tools better for adults with acquired communication difficulties (aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech).
Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech Quiz
Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech Quiz
https://forms.office.com/r/9SGYnivJav
Have a go and develop your knowledge
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Quiz
Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech Quiz
https://forms.office.com/r/cej9fNkMht
Quick check to see what you know
Acquired Apraxia of Speech Quiz
Acquired Apraxia of Speech Quiz
https://forms.office.com/r/UE6yQ64ZR1
Review your understanding
Parent /Carer Support Group
Acquired Apraxia of Speech Quiz
We have a busy parent and carer support group running. You are welcome to join, just complete our Speech Apraxia membership form above.
Our charity of the year
Our charity of the year
We work with Rare Dementia Support to provide assistance for our members with Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech. To give something back, we have named them as our charity of the year. Please do consider helping them with their important work.
What resources are available for you
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Primary Progressive Apraxia Of Speech (PPOS)
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Alternative name-Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia. It is a label used for a specific type of speech sound disorder in which the planning and/or programming of the movements to produce speech is inefficient.
Acquired Apraxia of Speech (AOS)
Primary Progressive Apraxia Of Speech (PPOS)
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Speech disorder, which is acquired after a stroke (or other neurological disorder) , It affects the ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for speech.
Primary Progressive Apraxia Of Speech (PPOS)
Primary Progressive Apraxia Of Speech (PPOS)
Primary Progressive Apraxia Of Speech (PPOS)
Primary Progressive Apraxia Of Speech is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to plan and coordinate the movements necessary for speech sounds, leading to significant communication difficulties over time
Nursery and school support
Studying, Financial Support, Law
Primary Progressive Apraxia Of Speech (PPOS)
SEND / EHCP guidelines + support
Bullying
Making school accessible
Reasonable Adjustments
Employment/Employers
Studying, Financial Support, Law
Studying, Financial Support, Law
Going to work or employing someone with speech apraxia, find information and support.
Studying, Financial Support, Law
Studying, Financial Support, Law
Studying, Financial Support, Law
Whether it is the law over discrimination, financial help, or support while studying, we have you covered.
Extensive support and resources
Information on related Conditions
Extensive support and resources
We have loads of support available
Resource Hub – Information & Support
Regular online meetings
Meet Others with Apraxia of Speech – Personal Stories & Support
Directory of helpful organsiations
Want to get more involved
Information on related Conditions
Extensive support and resources
Why not become a member of Speech Apraxia UK (FREE)
Book us to deliver (FREE*) training
Send us some research or an article
Take our online quizzes
Advertise with us
Have us impartially review your product for FREE
Information on related Conditions
Information on related Conditions
Information on related Conditions
Our website has extensive information and resources, from recommended books to the latest research. We have a whole section on related conditions.
Meet us
Ruth, Founder of Speech Apraxia UK
I am the founder of Speech Apraxia UK, an international organisation dedicated to advocacy, information, and support for individuals affected by all forms of speech apraxia, developmental, acquired, and primary progressive. What began as a personal mission has grown into a recognised voice for people with speech apraxia and the professionals who support them.
I was born with childhood apraxia of speech (developmental verbal dyspraxia). When I was two, my parents sought help for my lack of speech, a condition few had even heard of at the time. I spent five years in intensive therapy, three sessions a week with the same speech and language therapist. Those early experiences shaped both my resilience and my lifelong connection to speech and language therapy.
Apraxia is a lifelong neurological speech condition, and I consider myself fortunate to have received early, effective intervention. Yet, I repeatedly saw how little awareness existed, even within the profession itself. That gap drove me to create Speech Apraxia UK. We are now a centre of knowledge, advocacy, and community. Our goal is to ensure no family or professional faces apraxia without access to accurate information and expert guidance.
Today, I am proud that Speech Apraxia UK sits as a member of the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance (SLCA) alongside leading organisations such as Speech and Language UK, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), Afasic, The Communication Trust, I CAN, and the National Association of Head Teachers. Together, we influence policy, promote inclusive communication, and strengthen national awareness of speech and language needs.
Our reach is now global. We work with major international stakeholders, including the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association, and collaborate with clinicians and researchers across continents to improve understanding of apraxia. Our website, speechapraxia.co.uk, and social media channels attract over 70,000 visits a month, offering free, evidence-based resources. Behind the scenes, a growing team of specialists responds daily to enquiries from families, professionals, and individuals seeking help.
From a single voice to a shared movement, Speech Apraxia UK is proud to stand at the forefront of international collaboration, raising awareness and shaping a better future for everyone affected by speech apraxia.
Friends of Speech Apraxia
We have a fantastic group of volunteers who all share a passion for speech apraxia. They are what make our organisation a success. Our community includes specialist clinicians, researchers, parents, and people with speech apraxia from as far afield as Australia, Italy, the USA, the UK, and the Netherlands.
Chelsea Hulse- Friends of Speech Apraxia Parent Champion-UK
Hi everyone! I’m Chelsea, a nurse & mother to two boys, Logan & Lucas. Lucas has a diagnosis of Childhood Apraxia of Speech & Developmental Co-ordination Disorder. Our journey has helped to lay the foundations for my growing interest in CAS & communication as a whole I am so excited to become a Parent Champion with Speech Apraxia UK, & see what this community can achieve! My hope is that no one with CAS feels alone or disadvantaged by their diagnosis.
Jon Hunt (Friends of Speech Apraxia-Speech and Language Therapist, Acquired Apraxia of Speech specialist)-UK
Jon is a UK-based speech and language therapist specialising in acquired aphasia and apraxia of speech. He worked in the National Health Service for 20 years before beginning work on Cuespeak, an app for iPad that allows people with aphasia and apraxia of speech to carry out intensive, personalised therapy independently. Jon's special interests are the role of context in word production difficulties and the benefits of personalised therapy.
Dr. Ioanna Anastasopoulou (Friends of Speech Apraxia-Speech and Language Pathologist, Research specialist)-Canada
Dr. Ioanna Anastasopoulou is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Her research program bridges the fields of speech neuroscience, linguistics and clinical speech pathology, focusing on the neural mechanisms underlying speech motor control in typical and speech-disordered populations. Her recent work uses advanced neuroimaging techniques including magnetoencephalography (MEG) and a novel MEG-compatible articulographic system to identify neuropathological mechanisms in Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Kendra Frank- Friends of Speech Apraxia Parent Champion-USA
Kendra has created the non-profit 'Elliot's Voice and joins Speech Apraxia UK bringing her passion for communication for all (you can read more about her and her son Elliot's story on our 'meet other's' section).
Hazel Shaw,(Specialist Independent Speech and Language Therapist)- Friends of Speech Childhood Apraxia of Speech Expert-UK
Ruth invited me to become a Friend of Speech Apraxia UK and I am always eager to support any initiative that raises awareness and understanding of CAS, as well as improves access to essential specialist services. CAS is a highly specialised area and many Speech and Language Therapists have limited experience in working with it. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience with others to help ensure the best possible outcomes for the children we support.
Lottie Berry- Friends of Speech Apraxia Parent Champion-UK
Lottie Berry is the Founder of Tap Type Talk, an autism, apraxia, and AAC advocacy and advisory platform.As a Mum to an autistic non-speaking son who has Suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Lottie is passionate about supporting parents who are following a similar journey. She believes that every non-speaking child deserves a voice of their own through AAC, specialist speech support, and literacy instruction.
Liz Bedson (with Arthur Harding)-Friends of Speech Apraxia -Acquired Speech Apraxia Advocate-UK
Liz Bedsonn and Arthur Harding run the Stroke Survivors Speech & Language Support Group. Liz says "I started in 2016 when my dad survived a stroke. His speech, language and communication was affected along with his emotions. There was no support that benefitted him as he wasn’t included or talked over and ignored. Not what I expected at all. I am an ordinary person with no medical or professional qualifications but who just wanted to support my dad and others like him to access and live in his community in a positive way. So the journey started!
Roll forward to today, we are now a charity, now respected by the stroke association with the support we provide for our groups which are all thriving. We have 5 face to face groups in Cheshire East and a virtual online group. We plan to open a new group every year as what we provide empowers survivors to recover, reclaim and rebuild their lives. We work alongside the NHS Community S & L therapists who at the beginning disliked me. Everything is based around aphasia but my eyes have now been opened by apraxia and tbh I’d never heard of it! Ruth approached me and well the rest is what you already know by this lovely lady. We are now collaborating and Ruth will come and provide training to our volunteers on how to support our Survivors with apraxia. Many of our survivors have apraxia as well as aphasia. I will be taking it up with our S & L therapists too. I will also be spreading the word to everyone I am currently in contact with including the stroke association. The lack of awareness is shocking so we need to push awareness".
Alonna Bondar(Specialist Independent Speech and Language Pathologist)- Friends of Speech Childhood Apraxia of Speech Expert-USA
Alonna has recorded a podcast with us and is a great asset to Speech Apraxia UK from the USA. Alonna is PROMPT certified and DTTC trained, and listed on the Apraxia Kids directory. She is a pediatric speech language pathologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in apraxia and other speech sound disorders.
Lucy Smith (Friend of Speech Apraxia)-UK
I am Lucy and I am currently a 4th year Master of Speech and Language Sciences Student at Newcastle University. I chose to become a Friend of Speech Apraxia UK because I have a strong interest in both childhood and acquired apraxia of speech. These are conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked. I'm eager to learn more, hear lived experiences from individuals and families, speech and language therapists and researchers. I'm also interested in the latest research and therapy approaches to help improve understanding and support for those who live with apraxia.
Olga Kamadina-(Speech Pathologist)- Friends of Speech Childhood Apraxia of Speech Expert—Australia
I’m Olga Komadina, a Speech Pathologist in Australia with over 20 years of experience, specialising in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), as well as autism. I run Olga Komadina Apraxia Therapy and provide intensive therapy, supervision, and mentoring for speech pathologists worldwide. I became a Friend of Speech Apraxia to support greater awareness and collaboration internationally, and to advocate for children with CAS and their families so they can access the therapy and recognition they deserve.
Lorraine Bamblett -(Specialist Independent Speech and Language Therapist)- Friends of Speech Childhood Apraxia of Speech Expert-UK
Lorraine is a lecturer in speech and language therapy at Keele University. She specialises in phonetics and speech sound disorders. She has had a special interest in CAS since working with children with developmental language disorder and severe speech sound disorder including CAS in a speech and language centre for 15 years. She is passionate about evidence based practice and supporting SLTs to give children with CAS the best possible outcomes.
Meet us
Julia Chauve (Friends of Speech Apraxia-Research specialist)- The Netherlands
Julia Chauve (Friends of Speech Apraxia-Research specialist)- The Netherlands
Julia Chauve (Friends of Speech Apraxia-Research specialist)- The Netherlands
Julia Chauvet from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics researches motor speech planning.
Pam Slater (Friends of Speech Apraxia - Parent Ambassador)-UK
Julia Chauve (Friends of Speech Apraxia-Research specialist)- The Netherlands
Julia Chauve (Friends of Speech Apraxia-Research specialist)- The Netherlands
Pam is a parent of two children, one who has speech apraxia linked with the FOXP2 gene. For many years she has raised awareness of the genetic causes of speech apraxia and is well known for her tireless work. Pam is a trustee of the charity Mikey's Whish Foundation.
Rosemary Varley (Friends of Speech Apraxia -Acquired Apraxia of Speech Specialist)-UK
Rosemary Varley (Friends of Speech Apraxia -Acquired Apraxia of Speech Specialist)-UK
Rosemary Varley (Friends of Speech Apraxia -Acquired Apraxia of Speech Specialist)-UK
Rosemary Varley is Professor in Language and Cognition at University College London. She works in the field of speech and language ability following a stroke. She has designed and tested digital interventions for apraxia of speech and aphasia. She has published research articles in major international journals such as Nature Reviews Neuroscience, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA, and Current Biology, as well as journals focused on speech and language therapy (e.g., Aphasiology). Her research has been funded by Government research councils, and charities such as the UK Stroke Association and Leverhulme Trust.
Georgia Leckie (Friends of Speech Apraxia -Parent Champion)-UK
Rosemary Varley (Friends of Speech Apraxia -Acquired Apraxia of Speech Specialist)-UK
Rosemary Varley (Friends of Speech Apraxia -Acquired Apraxia of Speech Specialist)-UK
Georgia is a parent of a child with CAS and a passionate advocate for awareness and service provision.
Georgia is a trustee of the charity Mikey's Whish Foundation.
News
Some of the Organisations we have worked with
We cannot spread awareness alone.We work with many people with speech apraxia, organizations, professionals, and parents, including:
Charities/SLCN organisations
New Zealand Speech Language Therapy Association.
RCSLT
Selective Mutism Information & Research Association (SMIRA)
Elliot's Voice
From Stuttering to confidence
PROMPT Institute
Nuffield Association
Universities
Newcastle University Students' Union
The University of Sydney: One of Australia’s top universities
Companies
SLPFlow AI - Best AI for SLPs | SLP
Researchers
Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
Sick Childrens Hospital-research group
No longer who I used to be says Kris Kamara
Chris Kamara admits, 'I'm no longer the person I used to be' and reveals deep regret. Sky Sports star Chris Kamara's life was turned upside down in 2022 when he was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS), which also affected his balance and coordination.
Chris, 67, flew to Mexico for treatment in a bid to reverse or slow down some of the effects of the neurological disorder, which include difficulty when speaking. However, despite initial success, the machine that transmitted radio frequency and magnetic fields into the body similar to an MRI became less effective, resulting in Chris stopping treatment(Mirror, 2025).
Esteemed International Expert contributing to Speech Apraxia UK
We were absolutely delighted to share that Professor Emeritus Anita van der Merwe globally respected leader in the field of motor speech disorders — has shared warm praise for our new website.
In her message, Professor van der Merwe wrote:
“Congratulations on your website for apraxia of speech for people in the UK and elsewhere; it is a great website!”
She even wrote a special guest piece for the site, focusing on apraxia of speech and approaches to speech motor treatment.
We’re truly excited and honoured to welcome her voice to the website.
Join the speech apraxia discussion on Facebook
Join our Facebook community to discuss all things Apraxia of Speech - Facebook
Elliot's Voice
Motorists with communication needs offered free seatbelt covers
From a kitchen table laminator to schools, parks & even fire stations — Kendra Frank turned her son Elliott’s CAS journey into Elliott’s Voice. Her organization, which she founded in 2023, aims to provide accessible visual supports to children and adults who are nonverbal or have limited verbal abilities,
Motorists with communication needs offered free seatbelt covers
Motorists with communication needs offered free seatbelt covers
Motorists with communication needs offered free seatbelt covers
The useful packs have been distributed to each Police Enquiry Office (PEO) across Devon and Cornwall so anyone who feels they may benefit from one can collect one
Unique - Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group
Unique - Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group
Unique - Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group
Did you know joining Unique is completely FREE?
If you have a rare chromosome or gene disorder you can join our membership to access our support, expertise and get connected with other families affected by the same condition. We'd love to have you join our supportive community.
https://rarechromo.org/join-us/
rSpeech Apraxia UK recieves no
Disclaimer
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information on this website (www.speechapraxia.co.uk), the content is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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