Can childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) be diagnosed before age three? According to doctoral candidate Hannah Valentine's groundbreaking research, the answer is yes, but 40% of speech-language pathologists don't believe it can be.

In this episode of the Apraxia Foundation podcast, hosts Laura and Jordan sit down with Hannah Valentine, a doctoral candidate at New York University and former early intervention SLP, to discuss her research paper "Clinician's Perspectives on Diagnosing and Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Children Under Three Years Old."

Hannah shares the personal story that sparked her research journey: an 18-month-old patient with classic CAS presentation who nearly fell through the cracks due to widespread misinformation about early diagnosis. Her study reveals that not only do 40% of clinicians believe CAS cannot be diagnosed before age three, but 52% would not share a CAS diagnosis with families of children under three, even when they suspect it.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the "can't diagnose before three" myth persists in the field
• How survey design reveals authentic clinical beliefs and practices
• The role of ASHA guidelines in perpetuating misinformation
• Why early diagnosis matters for intervention and family support
• The disconnect between clinical suspicion and family communication

Whether you're an SLP, parent, or advocate, this conversation challenges long-held assumptions and provides evidence-based insights into early CAS identification.

Find Hannah's work on her website

https://www.hannah-valentine.com/

Email: [email protected]

References

Valentine HC, Keller S, Harel D, Grigos MI. Clinicians' Perspectives on Diagnosing and Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Children Under 3 Years Old. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2026 Jan 13;35(1):266-283. doi: 10.1044/2025_AJSLP-25-00215. Epub 2025 Dec 12. PMID: 41386789; PMCID: PMC12805812.

In this episode of the Apraxia Foundation Podcast, hosts Laura Smith and Jordan LeVan welcome special guest Tali Kellerstein. Together, they dive deep into the use of books in speech therapy, especially for children with apraxia. Tali shares her journey, practical strategies, and the benefits of integrating picture books into motor speech therapy. The conversation covers the importance of contextualized language, how to select and use books for different therapy goals, and ways to make sessions more engaging and effective. They also discuss Tali’s own book, “Party Animals,” and offer tips for both clinicians and parents. Whether you’re a speech-language pathologist, educator, or parent, this episode is packed with actionable insights and resources for supporting children with apraxia through literature.

Listen in for expert advice, favorite book recommendations, and creative ideas to enrich your speech therapy sessions!

Come chat with Dr. Tara Mcallister, linguist and speech/language pathologist alongside Amy Graham, speech/language pathologist as they discuss motor in phonology.

References:

Articulation and Phonology: Inextricable Concepts in Speech Pathology

Positional Neutralization: A Case Study from Child Language

Language-Specific and Language-Universal Aspects of Lingual Obstruent Productions in Japanese-Acquiring Children

Tara McAllister is a linguist and speech-language pathologist who studies speech learning in various populations, notably children with speech sound disorder. Her research aims to understand how articulatory and perceptual factors shape speech learning outcomes, and why developmental speech patterns resolve in some individuals but persist in others. As director of the Biofeedback Intervention Technology for Speech (BITS) Lab at NYU, she has conducted multiple studies measuring the efficacy of acoustic and ultrasound biofeedback in the treatment of persistent speech sound deviations.  She earned an A.B./A.M. in linguistics from Harvard University, an M.S. in communication disorders from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in linguistics from MIT.

Amy is a speech language pathologist and owner of Graham Speech Therapy. She is an international speaker, frequent podcast guest, and creator of speech therapy resources for SLPs who treat speech sound disorders.

Join us in this inspiring episode as I chat with the incredible Nancy Kaufman, Mimi Branham, & Aravind Namasivayam about the effectiveness of the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP) for children with apraxia of speech. Nancy dives into the key principles of K-SLP, shares practical strategies for therapists and parents, and highlights some amazing success stories. If you’re looking for tools and inspiration to help kids overcome speech challenges, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s explore how K-SLP can truly make a difference in the journey toward clearer communication!

Join Edythe Strand, a leading expert in speech-language pathology, as she hosts the DTTC Podcast, a vital resource for families and professionals navigating childhood apraxia of speech. Each episode features insightful discussions, expert interviews, and practical strategies to support children with apraxia and their families. With a focus on evidence-based practices and personal stories, the podcast aims to raise awareness, share valuable resources, and foster a community dedicated to empowering those affected by apraxia. Tune in to discover the latest research, success stories, and tools to help every child fight for their voice.

Laura Smith and Jordan LeVan from The Apraxia Foundation speak with Dr. Julie Case, Dr. Jenya Iuzzini-Siegel, and Nancy Tarshis to debunk the myths about DTTC therapy for childhood apraxia of speech. They discuss current findings about DTTC, the true definition of play-based therapy, and the importance of building feelings of safety with our loved ones with childhood apraxia. 

Join us on "Voices of Change," brought to you by The Apraxia Foundation, as we dive deep into the intricacies of the public school system and the challenges Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) face within it. In this episode, we welcome special guest StraightupSLP, who shares her firsthand experiences navigating the public school district and transitioning to running a successful private practice. Discover the obstacles SLPs encounter, the systemic issues at play, and potential solutions to create a more supportive environment for both professionals and students. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that aims to advocate for change and improve the landscape of speech-language pathology in public education.

In this episode of The Apraxia Foundation Podcast, we tackle one of the most frequently asked questions in our community: "Will my child ever talk?" Join Laura Smith, our professional advisory board member, and Jordan LeVan, Founder & President of The Apraxia Foundation, as they provide insights, share personal experiences, and discuss the latest research on childhood apraxia of speech. Together, they offer hope, practical advice, and a deeper understanding of the journey toward communication for children with apraxia.

In this episode of The Apraxia Foundation Podcast, join host Mikayla Treynor, founder of Sandy Speaks Therapy (Instagram: @sandyspeakstherapy), as she delves into the crucial advocacy efforts aimed at addressing childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) in the state of Michigan.

Mikayla sits down with representatives from The Apraxia Foundation to explore the challenges faced by children with CAS in Michigan and the strides being made in advocating for their rights to access comprehensive communication support, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methods.

Listeners will gain insight into the initiatives undertaken by The Apraxia Foundation to raise awareness, educate policymakers, and enact change in policies and services to better serve children with CAS and their families across Michigan. From legislative advocacy to community outreach, discover the multifaceted approach employed to ensure that every child has the opportunity to communicate effectively and thrive.

Tune in to this enlightening conversation and learn how you can contribute to the ongoing efforts to support individuals with CAS and promote inclusive communication practices in Michigan and beyond. Don't miss this empowering episode of The Apraxia Foundation Podcast.

Join the conversation as we discuss strategies to supporting motor speech at home based on new research by Dr. Aravind Namasivayam and colleagues (2023)! Dr. Jenn Moore, SLP and clinician also joins us to discuss how she helps families incorporate practice at home!

Link to research article: https://pubs.asha.org/doi/full/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00070

Social Media

Dr. Aravind Namasivayam

IG: https://www.instagram.com/arv_bloor/

Dr. Jenn Moore

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmoorespeech/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/drmoorespeech