PROMPT Therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

by | Nov 6, 2025 | Speech Sounds, Speech Therapy for Children

Some children know exactly what they want to say, but the messages between the brain and the mouth get scrambled. This can make speech effortful, unclear, or inconsistent. This challenge is common in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), a motor-based speech disorder.

PROMPT is a therapy approach designed specifically to help with this. Instead of focusing only on the sound, PROMPT supports the movement required to make speech.

What is PROMPT?

PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) is a motor-speech therapy approach. It helps children learn how to move their jaw, lips, tongue, and facial muscles to produce clear speech.

Unlike traditional articulation therapy that teaches “say the sound this way,” PROMPT also teaches:

  • How the movement feels

  • Where the articulators need to be

  • How to transition smoothly from sound to sound

Therapists provide gentle tactile cues on the face and jaw to guide movement patterns. Over time, the child learns to internalise and coordinate these movements independently.

Why PROMPT is Effective for CAS

Children with CAS often struggle with:

  • sequencing movements for speech

  • producing sounds consistently

  • coordinating rapid oral movements

PROMPT aligns well with these needs because it:

  • Targets motor planning (not just sound accuracy)

  • Uses tactile-kinesthetic cues to support movement awareness

  • Builds speech in functional, meaningful words and phrases

A 2020 clinical study (Namasivayam et al.) found PROMPT led to significant improvements in articulation accuracy, motor control, and intelligibility, particularly when therapy was delivered consistently.

What a PROMPT Session May Look Like

Every child’s plan is personalised, but therapy commonly includes:

  • Gentle touch cues to guide jaw or lip movement

  • Practising target words connected to real-life communication

  • Moving from simple to more complex speech patterns

  • Monitoring how smoothly sounds transition together

  • Embedding speech practice into play and daily routines

Parents are intentionally involved to support practice at home.

How Parents Can Support PROMPT at Home

You don’t need to be a therapist to help:

Support Strategy Example
Short daily practice 2–5 minutes during play or story time
Model “feeling” mouth movements “Let’s feel how our lips start for /m/”
Keep practice fun and meaningful Use favourite toys, books, routines
Communicate with your therapist Share progress or challenges at home

Progress happens fastest when therapy + home practice work together.

 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7979536/

When PROMPT May Be Especially Helpful

PROMPT may be appropriate when a child:

  • Has been diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech

  • Shows inconsistent speech errors

  • Uses effortful or “searching” movements to speak (groping)

  • Struggles to move from isolated sounds to real words

  • Has not progressed with traditional speech therapy alone

PROMPT Therapy in Perth

Perth Speech Therapy has PROMPT-trained clinicians available.
We support children across early childhood through school age.

To enquire or book:

📧 info@perthspeechtherapy.com

FAQ: PROMPT Therapy and Childhood Apraxia of Speech

What is PROMPT therapy?

PROMPT is a motor-speech therapy approach that uses gentle touch cues to guide how the jaw, lips, and tongue move for speech. It helps children learn the movement patterns needed to produce clear, coordinated speech.

How does PROMPT help with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)?

Children with CAS know what they want to say, but the brain has trouble planning the movements needed to speak. PROMPT supports this by physically guiding the speech movements, helping the child learn how the sounds feel to produce and sequence.

Is PROMPT backed by research?

Yes. Multiple studies, including a 2020 randomized controlled trial, have shown improvements in speech motor control, articulation accuracy, and intelligibility when therapy is delivered consistently. However, as with all therapies, regular practice and consistency are key.

What happens during a PROMPT therapy session?

The speech pathologist may touch the child’s jaw, cheeks, or lips to guide movement patterns. Therapy begins with achievable speech targets and gradually moves toward more complex words and phrases. Sessions are usually play-based and fun.

Is PROMPT suitable for all children with speech difficulties?

PROMPT is especially helpful when speech difficulties are related to movement planning or coordination (as seen in CAS). It may be less necessary for children with purely phonological (sound pattern) difficulties. A Speech Pathologist can advise after assessment.

How long does it take to see progress?

Many children show progress within weeks, especially when home practice is included. However, CAS is a motor-learning disorder and typically requires longer-term therapy. Consistency makes the biggest difference.

What can parents do at home to help?

Short, daily practice works best. Your clinician will provide simple carry-over tasks that fit naturally into daily routines like mealtimes, story time, and play.

At what age can PROMPT begin?

PROMPT can be used with children once they are developmentally ready to engage in guided movement and shared interaction — often from the preschool years onward. Your Speech Pathologist can advise based on your child’s stage of development.

How do I know if my child needs PROMPT?

If your child’s speech is unclear, inconsistent, effortful, or has not improved with traditional speech therapy, PROMPT may be beneficial. A Speech Pathology assessment can determine whether your child presents with features of CAS or motor-speech difficulties.

Does Perth Speech Therapy offer PROMPT?

Yes. We have clinicians trained in PROMPT and experience supporting children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and motor-speech disorders.

📧 To inquire or book:
info@perthspeechtherapy.com

References