Verbal Dyspraxia – Panasséa – Pediatric Therapy Centre in Malta

Understanding Verbal Dyspraxia: Personalized Therapy for Clearer Communication

Help your child find their voice with compassionate, evidence-based support for Verbal Dyspraxia. At Panasséa, we provide specialized care to enhance speech clarity, build confidence, and support expressive language—step by step, together with your family.

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What is Verbal Dyspraxia?

Verbal Dyspraxia, also known as Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), is a motor speech disorder where the brain struggles to coordinate the complex movements needed to speak clearly. It’s not caused by muscle weakness or hearing loss—instead, it’s about how the brain plans and sequences muscle movements for speech.

Children with Verbal Dyspraxia often know what they want to say but have difficulty expressing it clearly. They may:

Speak in a limited number of sounds or syllables
Inconsistently pronounce words
Struggle with longer or more complex words
Appear to improve slowly with speech development compared to peers
Use gestures or facial expressions to communicate when speech is difficult

Early intervention is key. With targeted, frequent speech therapy, many children with Verbal Dyspraxia can make significant progress in communication and overall participation.

Quick Facts:

Affects roughly 1 to 2 in 1,000 children
Not related to intelligence—children know what they want to say
Requires specialized therapy focused on motor planning for speech

Why Choose Panasséa?

Specialized Therapy That Adapts to Your Child

At Panasséa, we understand how frustrating communication difficulties can be—for both children and families. Our skilled therapists offer individualized speech therapy tailored to your child’s unique needs, helping them find their voice and build language with confidence.

Speech Specialists: We have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating Verbal Dyspraxia using proven techniques
Play-Based, Engaging Therapy: Sessions are fun, interactive, and built around your child’s interests
Family-Centered Care: We teach parents how to support speech development at home in daily routines
Flexible Options: In-clinic, home-based, and telehealth services available
Goal-Oriented Support: We track and celebrate progress toward clear, functional communication

Services We Offer

Therapy Designed Around Your Child’s Needs

Speech and Language Therapy:
- Focuses on improving motor planning, sound production, and expressive language
- Uses evidence-based methods like Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC):
- Supports children who need additional tools to express themselves, such as picture boards or speech-generating devices
Occupational Therapy (OT):
- Addresses sensory processing or fine motor challenges that may co-occur and affect communication
Parent & Caregiver Training:
- Teaches supportive strategies for encouraging speech at home
- Helps reduce frustration and strengthen family communication

Explore Our Services in Detail

Understanding the Journey

How We Work With You

Initial Consultation:
- We learn about your child’s speech history, developmental milestones, and family goals
Comprehensive Evaluation:
- In-depth assessment of sound production, oral motor skills, and communication patterns
Personalized Therapy Plan:
- A clear roadmap outlining frequency of sessions, target goals, and home strategies
Ongoing Care & Review:
- Therapy goals are regularly reviewed and adapted as your child progresses

Common Questions:

How is Verbal Dyspraxia different from a speech delay?
Dyspraxia involves difficulty planning speech movements, while a delay may reflect slower development of typical patterns.
Will my child ever speak clearly?
Many children make strong gains with intensive, consistent therapy—especially when started early.
How often does therapy need to happen?
Frequent sessions (often 2–4 times per week) yield the best outcomes. We’ll tailor the schedule to your needs.
What if my child is nonverbal?
We can introduce AAC tools to support immediate communication while building speech skills over time.

FAQ

Q: Can Verbal Dyspraxia go away?
A: It doesn’t “go away” on its own, but many children improve dramatically with the right therapy and support.

Q: Is this related to autism or other conditions?
A: Some children with autism or other developmental disorders may also have Verbal Dyspraxia, but it can occur on its own.

Q: What age should therapy begin?
A: As early as possible—ideally between ages 2–4. Early therapy can change the long-term trajectory of speech development.

Q: Do you work with schools or other specialists?
A: Yes. We collaborate closely with educators, speech-language pathologists, and doctors to create consistent care plans.