Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

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, but those with apraxia require early, appropriate, and intensive speech therapy, often for many years to learn to speak; and

WHEREAS, without appropriate speech therapy intervention, children with apraxia will have diminished communication skills, and have a higher risk for secondary impacts on their reading, writing, spelling, and other school-related skills; and

WHEREAS, such primary and secondary impacts diminish future independence and employment opportunities and challenge the ability to become productive, contributing citizens if not resolved or improved; and

WHEREAS, our highest respect goes to these children, as well as their families, for their effort, determination, and resilience in the face of such obstacles; and

WHEREAS, May 14th marks Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day during which awareness will be raised throughout Virginia about childhood apraxia of speech, an extremely challenging speech disorder that affects 1-in-1,000 children nationally; and

WHEREAS, public awareness about childhood apraxia of speech in the Commonwealth is essential for families of children with this neurological disorder and the professionals who support them to achieve the needed services for those learning to use their own voice; and

WHEREAS, citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia are encouraged to work within their communities to increase awareness and understanding of childhood apraxia of speech;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 14, 2023, as CHILDHOOD APRAXIA OF SPEECH AWARENESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations