KPST
In the world of Speech Therapy assessments, the Kaufman Speech Praxis Test (KSPT) is widely considered an essential tool in identifying Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
CAS is a complex speech sound disorder that affects a child’s ability to plan and sequence the precise motor movements that are required to produce clear speech.
Summary
- The Kaufman Speech Praxis Test (KSPT) is a standardized assessment used by speech-language pathologists to help identify Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) by evaluating a child’s ability to plan and sequence motor speech movements.
- The test progresses from simple oral movements to complex syllables and spontaneous speech, allowing clinicians to pinpoint where breakdowns in speech production occur.
- KSPT results guide treatment planning, helping clinicians choose motor-based therapy targets based on the level where a child struggles with speech production.
- The assessment can be administered in person or via telepractice, provided there is clear video and audio to observe oral movements and support accurate scoring. Using EHR systems with integrated teletherapy tools, such as TheraPlatform, can help therapists conduct secure and engaging teletherapy sessions and streamline admin tasks.
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Diagnosing CAS can be challenging for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). Symptoms of CAS often overlap with phonological disorders, severe articulation delays, and expressive language disorders.
Accurately pinpointing a diagnosis of Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a critical first step toward effective intervention. Treating CAS requires a specialized approach that differs from traditional articulation therapy.
The KSPT, created by Nancy R. Kaufman, MA, CCC-SLP, is a comprehensive assessment that gives clinicians the structured framework needed to identify where a child’s motor speech system breaks down. These results can effectively guide treatment planning.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the KSPT, what it measures, how to administer it, and important considerations to make when using the assessment.
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What is the KSPT?
The Kaufman Speech Praxis Test is a norm-referenced, standardized assessment designed to identify and evaluate Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). The test measures a child’s ability to imitate and produce motor speech movements. Beginning with simple oral motor movements, the test progresses to complex, multisyllabic words and phrases.
Who is the KSPT for?
The KSPT is designed for children between the ages of 2 to 5 years, 11 months. It can be especially valuable for SLPs evaluating preschoolers with delayed or inconsistent speech development.
Unlike articulation tests, which primarily focus on sound accuracy, the KSPT examines motor planning and sequencing - key challenges in CAS.
Primary objectives of the KSPT
- To distinguish CAS from other speech sound disorders or expressive language delays.
- To identify the specific point where a child’s speech system starts to break down. (For example, a child may be able to produce sounds in isolation but struggles to produce certain syllable combinations, such as CVC).
- To measure the severity of apraxia.
- To establish an appropriate starting point for therapy.
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Administration and scoring
The KSPT typically takes between 15 to 45 minutes to administer, depending on the child’s attention span, age, level of cooperation, and the severity of their speech impairment. The clinician prompts the client to imitate specific oral movements and speech sounds, with tasks becoming increasingly complex. In contrast with most articulation and phonological assessments, no picture stimulus naming is included in the KSPT.
The KSPT consists of four distinct parts:
- Part 1: Oral Movement Level: Tests the child’s ability to perform simple, non-speech oral motor movements (e.g., puckering lips, sticking out the tongue).
- Part 2: Simple Phonemic/Syllabic Level: Evaluates imitated production of isolated vowels, isolated consonants, and simple syllable shapes (V, CV, VC, CVC, and CVCV) that include early-developing phones such as /m/, /p/, /b/, /t/, and /d/.
- Part 3: Complex Phonemic/Syllabic Level: Assesses the child’s ability to produce more advanced consonants and syllable structures, including multisyllabic words and consonant blends.
- Part 4: Spontaneous Length and Complexity: Examines intelligibility level and complexity of spontaneous speech.
Assessing at each level allows clinicians to determine the characteristics and severity of the child’s motor speech impairment.
Scoring the KSPT
The SLP scores the assessment based on the child’s ability to produce the target perfectly, produce it as an approximation (with a vowel/consonant substitution), or fail to produce it entirely. Raw scores for each part are converted into standard scores and percentile ranks.
These scores help the clinician determine whether the child’s speech difficulties are considered within the normal developmental range or indicate a motor speech disorder.
In addition to quantitative scores, the KSPT provides clinicians with insight into the qualitative features of the child’s motor speech abilities, including:
- Inconsistent errors
- Groping movements
- Difficulty sequencing sounds
- Reduced intelligibility
SLPs synthesize these findings to support a differential diagnosis between CAS and other speech sound disorders.
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Using KSPT results in treatment planning
The results of the KSPT can directly inform treatment planning. Clinicians can choose appropriate therapy targets based on the level of speech complexity where breakdown occurs on the assessment.
The assessment allows clinicians to implement targeted motor-based speech therapy, not generalized articulation practice.
Example: A child who can produce isolated bilabial consonants but struggles to produce them in CV combinations may begin working on this classification of sounds in simple syllables (e.g., /bo/, /mo/, /mi/).
The KSPT aligns with the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP), allowing SLPs to use assessment results to directly select appropriate therapy activities that correlate with speech production goals.
Results of the KSPT also allow for progress monitoring over time.
Telepractice considerations for KSPT
The KSPT can be successfully administered through a virtual platform such as TheraPlatform. Because the test heavily relies on visual observation of oral movements and speech imitation, clinicians should ensure high-quality audio and video connections.
Other key considerations include:
- Parent or caregiver assistance may be needed to maintain the child’s attention and cooperation, and for troubleshooting technology.
- Optimal camera positioning allows the clinician and the client to clearly observe movements of the lip, tongue, and jaw.
- Reduced distractions in the client’s environment can increase focus.
- Screen-sharing features can be used to present visually engaging reinforcement in between test items.
Alternatives and complementary tools
A comprehensive evaluation of CAS requires the KSPT to be used in conjunction with a battery of assessments.
Complementary tools
- Receptive/Expressive Language Tests: CAS frequently occurs with expressive language delays. Tests such as the Preschool Language Scale - 5th Edition (PLS-5) or the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals - Preschool -3 (CELF P-3) evaluate the child’s expressive and receptive language skills.
- Standardized Articulation/Phonology Tests: The Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation (GFTA-3) or the Clinical Assessment of Articulation and Phonology (CAAP-2) provides a view of the child’s articulation or phonological errors.
Alternative assessment tools for CAS
- Dynamic Evaluation of Motor Speech Skill (DEMSS): This is a dynamic assessment specifically designed to assist with diagnosing CAS.
- Verbal Motor Production Assessment for Children (CMPAC): This test assesses oral motor control, global motor control, and speech sequencing.
Summary: Improving Speech Apraxia Evaluations
Diagnosing and treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech requires the right clinical tools. The Kaufman Speech Praxis Test (KSPT) is a valuable tool for identifying CAS, and helps clinicians pinpoint the exact level where the speech breakdown occurs.
Using the results of the KSPT serves as a roadmap for therapy, guiding SLPs toward appropriate therapy targets.
Streamline your practice with One EHR
- Scheduling
- Flexible notes
- Template library
- Billing & payments
- Insurance claims
- Client portal
- Telehealth
- E-fax
Resources for speech therapists
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More resources
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References
Batool, W., Afzal, M. T., Rashid, A., Shahbaz, A., Shehzadi, S., & Khan, M. S. (2024). Assessment Tools Used by Speech and Language Pathologists for Assessment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Link Journal of Speech, Language and Audiology, e6-e6. https://doi.org/10.61919/ljsla.vi.6
Namasivayam, A. K., Cheung, K., Atputhajeyam, B., Petrosov, J., Branham, M., Grover, V., & Van Lieshout, P. (2024). Effectiveness of the Kaufman speech to language protocol for children with childhood apraxia of speech and comorbidities when delivered in a dyadic and group format. American journal of speech-language pathology, 33(6), 2904-2920. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2024_AJSLP-24-00098
Westby, C. (2025). Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Kaufman Protocol for Childhood Apraxia. Word of Mouth, 37(2), 5-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/10483950251375703a
FAQS about the KSPT
What does the Kaufman Speech Praxis Test measure?
The KSPT measures a child’s ability to imitate and produce speech sounds and oral movements, helping clinicians evaluate motor planning and sequencing difficulties associated with Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
What age group is the KSPT designed for?
The KSPT is intended for children ages 2 years to 5 years, 11 months, particularly those with delayed or inconsistent speech development.
How long does the KSPT take to administer?
The assessment typically takes 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the child’s age, cooperation level, attention span, and severity of speech impairment.
