Pennsylvania HR 116: A Resolution designating May 14, 2025, as "Apraxia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 954
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 116
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ORTITAY, VENKAT, REICHARD, D. MILLER, KHAN,
FREEMAN, GALLAGHER, ROWE, COOPER AND BRIGGS, MARCH 13, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 13, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 14, 2025, as "Apraxia Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a motor speech
disorder that causes children to have problems making speech
sounds because the brain has difficulty planning the motor and
muscle movements needed for speech; and
WHEREAS, CAS affects approximately 1 in 1,000 children; and
WHEREAS, The cause of CAS is not well understood in most
cases; and
WHEREAS, Children with CAS do not follow typical patterns of
developing sounds and speech; and
WHEREAS, Children with a moderate or milder form of CAS
struggle with syllables and words; and
WHEREAS, When CAS is most severe, children struggle to make
sounds; and
WHEREAS, While the act of learning to speak comes
effortlessly to most children, those with CAS require early,
appropriate, and intensive speech therapy, often for many years
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to learn to speak; and
WHEREAS, Without appropriate speech therapy intervention,
children with apraxia have diminished communication skills, and
they 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 diminish future
independence and employment opportunities and challenge children
with apraxia's ability to become productive, contributing
citizens if not resolved or improved; and
WHEREAS, Treatment includes speech therapy and can include
sign language and an augmentative communication system; and
WHEREAS, Research shows that children with CAS have more
success when they receive frequent and intensive treatment; and
WHEREAS, Public awareness about CAS in this Commonwealth is
essential for families of children with this neurological
disorder and the professionals who support them to achieve the
services needed for those children learning to use their own
voices; and
WHEREAS, Our highest respect goes out to these children, as
well as their families, for their effort, determination and
resilience; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May 14,
2025, as "Apraxia Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
residents to work within their communities to increase awareness
and understanding of childhood apraxia of speech.
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