List the three key features of childhood apraxia of speech in ASHA's (2007) childhood apraxia of speech position statement.

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The Answer is The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) released a position statement in 2007 on Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), which is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to speak. According to ASHA's 2007 position statement, the three key features of childhood apraxia of speech are:

1. Inconsistent errors on consonants and vowels in repeated productions of syllables or words: Children with CAS often do not consistently produce the same speech errors. For example, they may say a word correctly once, but then have difficulty repeating it the same way subsequently, resulting in various pronunciations of the same word or sound.

2. Lengthened and disrupted coarticulatory transitions between sounds and syllables: Children with CAS may exhibit abnormal timing in the transition from one sound or syllable to another. This can result in pauses, prolongations, or disruptions in the rhythmic flow of speech, making their speech sound choppy or disjointed.

3. Inappropriate prosody, especially in the realization of lexical or phrasal stress: Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. Children with CAS may struggle with the appropriate use of prosody, which can affect the naturalness and intelligibility of their speech. They might place stress on the wrong syllable or word, or have a monotone speech pattern, which can make it difficult for listeners to understand the intended meaning.

These features are used to help differentiate CAS from other types of speech sound disorders. It is important to note that not all children with CAS will exhibit all three features, and the presence of these features alone does not necessarily confirm a diagnosis of CAS. A comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist is necessary to accurately diagnose and treat childhood apraxia of speech.

List the Three Key Features of Childhood Apraxia of Speech