Living with CAS: A Glimpse Into One Family’s First Week of School

The first week of school is supposed to be filled with excitement, nerves, and new beginnings.

For many families, it’s a time of celebration. But for families living with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), it can look very different.

After days of preparation, anticipation, and a hopeful morning drop-off, the parents waited outside school to pick up their child. Smiles were exchanged. Hugs were shared. And then came the question every parent asks:

“How was your first day of school?”

There was a pause. A look of uncertainty. Then came the soft, honest reply:

“I can’t.”

A parent crouched down, gently asking, “Can’t what?”

“Talk,” the child whispered.

This was one family’s reality during the first week of school. For families navigating Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), this moment is more common than most people realize. Sometimes, the response is even quieter—or no words at all.

The Words That Won’t Come

For children with CAS, the words are there in their minds—but their mouths can’t always follow. CAS is a rare motor speech disorder that makes it hard for the brain to plan and coordinate the movements required for speech. It’s not about language comprehension or intelligence—it’s about motor planning. The child knows what they want to say, but the message gets lost on the way out.

In school, where quick responses, social interaction, and verbal participation are part of daily life, this communication barrier can feel enormous. It’s not just about speech—it’s about connection, confidence, and feeling seen.

How It Feels—for the Child and the Family

When a child says, “I can’t talk,” it’s not because they aren’t trying. It’s because they’re working harder than most kids just to say a single word. That moment at pickup wasn’t a lack of effort—it was a raw truth. And for the family, it was both heartbreaking and clarifying.

The child may feel isolated, overwhelmed by the speed of classroom conversations and unsure how to join in. Parents, meanwhile, may carry a quiet grief—knowing their child is bright and capable, but often misunderstood.

But they also carry something else: hope.

Living with CAS: Why This Happens and What the Journey Looks Like

CAS isn’t a typical speech delay. It’s a neurological disorder that affects the motor planning needed for speech production. That’s why children with CAS often understand everything being said to them but struggle to respond in kind. Their speech may be inconsistent, effortful, or even absent at times.

With early diagnosis and intensive speech therapy, many children with CAS can learn to speak clearly and confidently over time. The path is not quick or easy—but it is possible. The journey is made up of small victories: a new sound, a spontaneous word, a confident greeting.

Families navigating this journey often feel overwhelmed and alone at first. But support is out there.

Organizations like One Voice Arkansas exist to raise awareness, share resources, and walk alongside families at every stage of the journey. Whether you’re just beginning or deep in the process, you are not alone—and your child’s voice matters.

Every Voice Deserves to Grow

That first week of school might not have ended with a story about new friends or a favorite class. But it did end with honesty, courage, and a call for understanding.

For families living with CAS, each day is part of a bigger story—a story of persistence, advocacy, and growth. Speech may not come easily, but it does come. With time. With support. With love.

If you think your child may be struggling to communicate, don’t wait. Ask questions. Seek help from a speech-language pathologist who understands CAS. And reach out to organizations that can guide you.

Because every child deserves to be heard.

And every voice—no matter how long it takes to emerge—is worth the wait.