To the editor:
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a speech disorder that seriously interferes with a child’s ability to develop clear speech.
CAS makes it difficult or impossible for an affected child to plan the movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, etc. that are needed for speech. Children with CAS generally have a good understanding of language — they know what they want to say — but have difficulty learning or carrying out the complex movements that underlie speech. Apraxia is one of the most severe of childhood speech and communication disorders.
Wednesday, May 14, marks the second annual Apraxia Awareness Day. We want to bring awareness to our community about this speech problem in children because, although there is little that is known about the disorder, and it is still very misunderstood, it has a huge impact on children and their families.
Speech and communication are critical skills for young children to develop. Apraxia requires extensive speech therapy multiple times a week. It also requires a speech therapist familiar with the treatment of apraxia, because it requires different therapies than any other speech disabilities. These children must work and struggle so very hard just to learn a skill — speaking — that comes effortlessly to other children.
Our youngest son has apraxia. He’s 5 years old and has been in speech since he was 2. We never heard of apraxia until he was diagnosed one year ago. When we tell people, we are often asked, What is it?” Our son has made huge strides with his speech but to the unknown listener, he’s still often misunderstood or hard to understand. He’s a very smart, hard-working boy and loves all the normal things that 5-year-old boys love. We are very blessed to have great speech pathologists, occupational therapist, and a great school with dedicated teachers, aides and supportive friends and family in our lives.
Learn more about apraxia at www.apraxia-kids.org. Please help us raise awareness for these amazing children because, “every child deserves a voice!”
Duane and Lori Hart
Presque Isle
