R 254

2021 -- S 0909 Enacted 05/18/2021

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 14, 2021, AS "APRAXIA AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, and Rogers

Date Introduced: May 17, 2021

WHEREAS, Annually, May 14th marks Childhood Apraxia of Speech Day during which

awareness is raised throughout Rhode Island about childhood apraxia of speech, an extremely

challenging speech disorder that affects 1 in 1,000 children; and

WHEREAS, Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) causes children to have significant

difficulty learning to speak and is among the most severe speech deficits in children; and

WHEREAS, The act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, however,

those with apraxia require early, appropriate, and intensive speech therapy, often for many years

in order to learn to speak; and

WHEREAS, Without appropriate speech therapy intervention, children with apraxia will

have diminished communication skills, and are also placed at high risk for secondary impacts in

reading, writing, spelling, and other school-related skills; and

WHEREAS, These primary and secondary impacts can diminish future independence and

employment opportunities and challenge the individual's ability to become productive,

contributing citizens if not resolved or improved; and

WHEREAS, Public awareness about childhood apraxia of speech in Rhode Island is

essential for families of children with this neurological disorder and the professionals who

support them in order to achieve the needed services for those learning to use their own voice;

now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims May 14,

2021, to be "Apraxia Awareness Day" and encourages the citizens of Rhode Island to work

within their communities to increase awareness and understanding of childhood apraxia of

speech. We furthermore extend our highest respect to these children, as well as their families, for

their effort, determination, and resilience in the face of such obstacles, and to Apraxia Kids, the

leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of

speech; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and herby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Apraxia Kids.

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LC002536

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