Speech Apraxia UK
The only organisation dedicated to supporting adults with speech apraxia
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
Acquired apraxia of speech (AOS)
Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPAOS)
About Speech Apraxia UK
What is apraxia of speech?
Apraxia of Speech (AOS) is a neurological motor speech inefficiency that affects a person's ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech. It may be acquired after brain injury or stroke, or appear in childhood as Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). In some cases, it progresses gradually over time, known as Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPAOS).
Watch our video We are Speech Apraxia UK
Info on Diagnosis, treatments, therapy, help, and support
What we offer
We’re here to support adults living with apraxia of speech by providing information, practical strategies, the latest research, and a community of understanding. Whether you're newly diagnosed with an apraxia of speech diagnosis, have grown up with it, or are looking for resources as a professional, we’re here to help. Other terms are verbal or oral dyspraxia of speech.
Symptoms, Diagnosis types awareness Diagnosis Acquired apraxia of speech, childhood apraxia of speech, primary progressive apraxia of speech, resources, oral, non-verbal apraxia Therapy treatments Therapy and treatments Education, workplace tools helpful charity organizations films on apraxia, funding, and support Apraxia Resource Hub Meet others with apraxia of speech Meet others with apraxia
A bit about me
Ruth, Founder of 'Speech Apraxia UK'
I was born with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and am also nearly finished training to be a speech and language therapist. Growing up, I had extensive speech and language therapy for many years and became very aware of the challenges and frustrations that came with living with it.
However, for me it was seeing the difficulties of others communicating that really inspired me to train to be a speech and language therapist. But even as I trained, I continued to face difficulties. There is so little awareness of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia) amongst professionals. It is a rare disorder. Other forms of speech apraxia like verbal dyspraxia after a stroke or progressive verbal dyspraxia also hardly get a mention. This is why I set up Speech Apraxia UK
This website www.speechapraxia.co.uk is built from that lived experience. It’s packed with resources, ideas, and support, things I wish I had access to earlier. Whether you're an adult with CAS, a person who has developed speech apraxia later on, or someone just interested in the disorder, I hope you find it useful. Don't forget to drop me a line and tell me what you think!
Apraxia of speech in the news
Biomarkers Unmasked: Neurochemical Clues to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Biomarkers Unmasked: Neurochemical Clues to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Biomarkers Unmasked: Neurochemical Clues to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Recent research suggests biological markers may help differentiate Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) from other conditions. Elevated antigliadin IgA antibodies and glutamate levels show strong sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing CAS from Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and neurotypical (NT) children. Higher glutamate and lower GABA levels suggest a neurotransmitter imbalance that may underlie motor planning and speech coordination issues in CAS. The presence of antigliadin antibodies, often linked to gluten sensitivity, points to a possible immune–neural connection in CAS.
PET Imaging Maps Brain Inflammation in Progressive Speech Disorder
Biomarkers Unmasked: Neurochemical Clues to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Biomarkers Unmasked: Neurochemical Clues to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Neuroscience News discusses a novel PET imaging study that has identified unique patterns of neuroinflammation in patients with progressive apraxia of speech (PAOS), a rare disorder that impairs the brain’s ability to plan speech. Using TSPO PET scans, researchers found elevated inflammation in brain regions involved in movement and speech, particularly in patients who also showed signs of Parkinson-plus syndromes.
The findings link brain inflammation to tau pathology and disease severity, suggesting inflammation could serve as an early biomarker for PAOS progression.(June 24, 2025).
No longer who I used to be says Kris Kamara
Biomarkers Unmasked: Neurochemical Clues to Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Powering Speech: Can Brain Stimulation Boost Therapy for Speech Apraxia?
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).
Powering Speech: Can Brain Stimulation Boost Therapy for Speech Apraxia?
Powering Speech: Can Brain Stimulation Boost Therapy for Speech Apraxia?
Powering Speech: Can Brain Stimulation Boost Therapy for Speech Apraxia?
Imagine improving speech by delivering a gentle electrical current to the brain. That’s exactly what researchers explored using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) — a non-invasive technique that targets specific brain areas to enhance function.
In this study, scientists focused on the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), a region linked to speech production. They wanted to see if combining tDCS with speech therapy could help people with apraxia of speech (AOS) linked to non-fluent primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA), a degenerative condition affecting language.
Eight participants received either real or sham tDCS while taking part in speech therapy sessions designed to improve word production. The results were striking: those who had active tDCS showed shorter speech sound durations , a key marker of smoother, more efficient speech. Even more impressive? The gains lasted for two months and extended to words not directly trained in therapy.
This promising approach suggests that brain stimulation could supercharge traditional speech therapy offering new hope for people with progressive speech disorders.(Themistocleous et. al, 2021).
Say It Like You Mean It: Timing Speech to Diagnose AOS"
Powering Speech: Can Brain Stimulation Boost Therapy for Speech Apraxia?
Say It Like You Mean It: Timing Speech to Diagnose AOS"
Tracking Speech Trouble with a Simple Measure
Diagnosing speech disorders like apraxia of speech (AOS) and aphasia with phonemic paraphasia (APP) can be tricky due to overlapping symptoms. But a recent study suggests a promising solution: Word Syllable Duration (WSD), a measure of how long it takes to say syllables in multisyllabic words. Researchers found that WSD remained stable over multiple sessions with 29 adults with AOS and aphasia. It also correlated with speech intelligibility and AOS severity—offering an objective way to monitor progress. Crucially, using more words improved accuracy. WSD could soon help clinicians track and differentiate speech disorders with greater confidence. Progressive aphasia, apraxia of speech and agraphia in corticobasal degeneration: A 12‐case series clinical and neuropsychological descriptive study - Ruggeri - 2020 - International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders - Wiley Online Library
Put it in the diary!
Powering Speech: Can Brain Stimulation Boost Therapy for Speech Apraxia?
Say It Like You Mean It: Timing Speech to Diagnose AOS"
May 14th is Apraxia Awareness day, here at Speech Apraxia UK. We want to use this opportunity to spread awareness and campaign for better access to resources. Tell us what you would like?
October 6-12 is Dsypraxia Awareness week see www.dyspraxiamagazine.com for more info.
Twenty-Third Biennial Conference on Motor Speech (CMS 2026) Tempe, Arizona. February 25–28, 2026 focused on motor speech disorders, speech motor control, and innovations in speech assessment.
Apraxia Kids July 9-11 2026 National Conference Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
RCSLT New position paper Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood Apraxia of speech - Developmental verbal dyspraxia of speech
Fantastic resource released in 2024 by the British Royal College of Speech and Language therapists outlining main Childhood Apraxia of speech / developmental verbal dyspraxia.
Response to the Government’s latest welfare reform proposals
The UK govenment is changing personal independence payment-What the proposals will mean
The proposals set out in Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, primarily concern Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Should the proposals go through, eligibility for the ‘daily living’ component of PIP will be reduced, meaning that fewer people with speech, language and communication needs, including those with speech apraxia, will receive it in the future.
Read our full response here https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:e8fcc10f-f170-4d31-9b7b-bbc9c0029c70
"When your voice doesn’t come easily, everything else takes more effort: communicating, It’s not just speech; it’s about being heard". Ruth, Speech Apraxia UK
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. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns about a medical condition.