[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6747]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING CHILDHOOD APRAXIA DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2014

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, today marks the second annual Childhood 
Apraxia of Speech Day, during which we will raise national awareness 
about Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a particularly difficult, 
persistent, and severe speech and communication disorder in youngsters.
  Today I want to recognize the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association 
of North America (CASANA), whose mission is to strengthen the support 
systems in the lives of children with apraxia. CASANA offers 
information and support related to CAS on its website, 
www.apraxiakids.org.
  Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) causes children to have extreme 
difficulty planning and producing the precise, highly refined and 
specific series of movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, and palate that 
are necessary for the production of proper speech. It is among the most 
severe of speech and communication problems in children.
  While the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most 
children, those with apraxia endure an incredible and lengthy struggle. 
Although not life threatening it is life altering as families are left 
to cope with the emotional, physical, and financial challenges of 
having a child diagnosed with CAS. Additionally, without appropriate 
intervention, children with CAS are at high risk for secondary impacts 
in literacy and other school-related skills.
  We encourage states, insurance providers, and schools to recognize 
the critical need to provide adequate speech therapy and other services 
so that the impact of this disorder can be minimized and so that 
affected children can grow into productive, contributing adult 
citizens.
  Every child should be afforded their best opportunity to develop 
speech. With early intervention and appropriate therapy, most children 
with CAS will learn to communicate with their very own voices. These 
children, as well as their families, deserve our highest respect for 
their effort, determination and resilience in the face of such 
obstacles.
  Let's use Childhood Apraxia Day to raise awareness about CAS and 
support the goals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.

                          ____________________