HR0417 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0417 LRB099 11421 MST 32364 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) causes children to have extreme difficulty in 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 one of the most severe speech and communication problems in children; and

WHEREAS, Every child should be afforded his or her best opportunity to develop his or her speech, and with early intervention and appropriate therapy, most children with CAS will learn to communicate with their very own voices; while the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, those with apraxia require years of intensive speech therapy and face a lengthy struggle to learn to communicate, and 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, the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America, are part of a local, State, and national effort to bring awareness to CAS, and are speaking up for children who do not have a voice; and

WHEREAS, These children, as well as their families, deserve our highest respect for their effort, determination, and resilience in the face of such obstacles; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May 14, 2015 as "Apraxia Awareness Day" in the State of Illinois to bring attention to one of the most severe speech and communication problems in children; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America.