This is especially true when they are trying their hardest to speak clearly. Thus, we say that apraxia of speech affects the child's volitional control of speech movements. Most often children with apraxia understand language well. However, try as they might, they cannot make their mouth do what their brain wants it to. The result is that children with apraxia are often silent, misunderstood, and their thoughts and ideas are locked inside.
All children deserve their best shot at becoming effective communicators.
The world is impoverished when these children cannot reach their potential due to this complicated speech disorder. Prior to professional help, children with apraxia typically have severely limited or unclear speech despite being able to understand what is said to them. The fact that they are not talking confuses those around them. Sometimes close and extended family believe the child is just being lazy, stubborn, or will talk when he is ready. Unfortunately, this is not the case and a child without a means to communicate can become very frustrated and keenly aware, even at a very young age, that speech is difficult, causing further avoidance.