1Designating May 14, 2013, as "Apraxia Awareness Day" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Childhood apraxia of speech is a challenging and
4complicated neurological speech disorder affecting children; and

5WHEREAS, Little is known about this disorder that makes it
6difficult or impossible for children to accurately produce
7sounds, syllables or words despite knowing what they want to say
8and having a good understanding of language; and

9WHEREAS, There is no known cause or cure for apraxia and much
10more research is needed into this disorder; and

11WHEREAS, Parents whose children have been diagnosed with
12apraxia and many speech therapists who work with those children
13have emphasized the importance of early intervention and the
14significant impact it can have on speech development in
15children; therefore be it

16RESOLVED, That the Senate designate May 14, 2013, as "Apraxia

1Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania in order to give a voice to those
2who have been diagnosed with apraxia, to raise awareness of
3apraxia and to strengthen the support systems for children with
4apraxia so that each child is afforded the best opportunity to
5develop speech.