Short Course Description

Speech Motor Delay is common, under-recognized, and often confused with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. This course defines Speech Motor Delay through a motor-based lens, highlighting key features like reduced precision, stability, and coordination. Learn to identify clinical markers, differentiate profiles, and use these insights to better predict outcomes and guide treatment planning.

Full Course Description

Speech Motor Delay (SMD) is the “elephant in the room” in childhood speech sound disorders. It is common, under-recognized, and frequently confused with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). This presentation explores why differential diagnosis remains challenging even for experts, and why SMD has lagged in clinical uptake despite a growing evidence base. We will highlight key, clinically observable features of SMD (e.g., reduced precision, stability, and coordination) and explain how these limitations shape error patterns and affect speech intelligibility. Drawing on one of the largest Canadian datasets (134 children with SMD and CAS), we will outline an approach to translate laboratory-derived markers into practical clinical signs and to identify meaningful clinical clusters.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify different subtypes in idiopathic speech sound disorders in children.
• List characteristics of Speech Motor Delay.
• Describe assessments and optimal interventions for Speech Motor Delay.

Agenda

19:15 - 19:20 → Welcome

19:20 - 19:25 → Introduction & Course Objectives

19:25 - 19:40→ What is Speech Motor Delay?

19:40 - 20:00 → Assessment & Differential Diagnosis

20:00 - 20:20 → Clinical Markers

20:20 - 20:35 → Treatment Options

20:35 - 20:45 → Q & A followed by wrap-up of the day

Certificate of Completion Requirements

To receive the certificate of completion and/or ASHA CEUs, participants must meet the following criteria:

• Attend the full duration of the course (attendance will be tracked automatically).
• Complete a test based on the learning outcomes and receive a score of >80%.
• Complete a post-course program evaluation survey.

Deadline: Complete the test and post-evaluation survey by Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 - 11:59 PM EST!

Jennifer Moore, EdD CCC-SLP, PC/I, COM

Dr. Jennifer Moore is a speech-language pathologist who co-owns a multidisciplinary private practice in northern NJ. Dr. Moore has previously held positions in academia, home health, public schools, and pediatric hospitals before creating her integrative center. Dr. Moore is a PROMPT Certified Instructor, certified orofacial myologist (COM) and a subject matter expert in motor speech development and disorders. Her research projects pertain to the sub population of children who present with coexisting motor speech dysfunction and autism as well as various topics in pediatric motor speech disorders. Dr. Moore has been both selected and invited to present on various topics related to her expertise at conferences at the state, national and international levels. She currently offers advanced training to SLPs through her online community, Next Level Motor. Her mission is to lessen the research-to-clinic knowledge gap by creating resources using evidence-based practices for clinical application. 

Aravind Namasivayam, Ph.D., S-LP(C)., Reg. CASLPO

Dr. Aravind Namasivayam is an internationally recognized expert in speech motor control and pediatric speech disorders. He holds a clinical degree in Speech-Language Pathology, with advanced specialization in Neuroscience at the doctoral and post-doctoral levels. Dr. Namasivayam has led several government- and industry-funded randomized clinical trials, driving policy changes and shaping evidence-based care pathways for children. He has authored 53 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and delivered over 80 presentations and workshops at international conferences. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including recognition from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Stuttering Foundation of America (SFA), Apraxia Kids, and the National Award for Excellence in Applied Research from Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). Dr. Namasivayam teaches speech physiology, research methods, and pediatric speech sound disorders at the University of Toronto. In 2018, he founded the Speech Research Centre Inc., dedicated to making evidence-informed practices accessible to clinicians worldwide. He is also the co-founder of Hear2Speak.org, a non-profit organization committed to improving speech-language pathology and audiology services in underserved regions globally.