SR0289 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0289 LRB098 11919 GRL 45252 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a complex neurological motor-planning disorder often accompanied by other special needs and is among the most severe of speech and communication problems; and

WHEREAS, Children affected by CAS 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 in producing clear, intelligible speech; and

WHEREAS, While the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, those with apraxia require years of intensive speech therapy and have lengthy struggles to communicate; although not life-threatening, the disorder is life-altering, as families are left to cope with the emotional, physical, and financial challenges of having a child diagnosed with CAS; and

WHEREAS, The Apraxia Connection and Silent Stars Foundation, along with the national organization Childhood Apraxia of Speech of North America, are part of a local, state, and national effort to bring awareness of this disorder; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate May 14, 2013 as Apraxia Awareness Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to The Apraxia Connection as a symbol of our esteem and respect for its work.