Since its beginning in 2000, The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) has been making a difference in the lives of children and families affected by CAS.  Some of our accomplishments include:

• An ONLINE HelpDESK offers direct person-to-person information and support to both parents and professionals seeking information about apraxia. Our HelpDESK serves approximately 1,000 individuals each year.
• The Apraxia-KIDS^SM website is the most comprehensive source of reliable information regarding Childhood Apraxia of Speech available, electronically or otherwise.The website contains a collection of hundreds of articles by the leading experts on a myriad of topics related to CAS and associated problems. In 2005, we had over 300,000 pageviews each month.
• Our Email Discussion group averages over 2,200 individuals worldwide. Each day parents, SLP's, educators and others are involved with sharing information, resources, and support related to children with CAS. We have a full-time group moderator, Donna Marucci, to insure that group topics remain focused and relevant and to screen out advertisements, spam and other unwanted email.  Additionally, our website messageboards attract thousands worldwide who read and post questions, responses, and information related to CAS.
• TheApraxia-KIDS^SM Monthly Electronic Newsletter   has a subscriber list of well of nearly 10,000 professionals and families from around the world. Each month the newsletter is full of expert tips and articles, relevant resources, educational opportunities, and inspirational stories. Newsletter editor Maria Kneipple manages our Apraxia-KIDS^SM Newsletter.
• Educating professionals and parents about CAS is a primary goal.Since 2002 we have provided high quality workshops and other educational opportunities throughout the country.  CASANA is an ASHA approved provider of continuing education.  Over 3,000 clinicians and parents have been educated on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech through Apraxia Workshops and Conferences.
• In July 2004, we cosponsored the First National Apraxia-KIDS Parent Conference - "Reach for The Stars", in Pittsburgh, PA. Over 425 parents from the United States and Canada spent three days meeting, greeting, and learning from one another and our expert speakers. Over 15 breakout sessions and several general sessions were held on a variety of topics as well as a number of social events for kids and families.  Since then, CASANA has held two other successful national parent conferences in 2005 (Philadelphia, PA) and 2006 (St. Paul, Minnesota).  Anaheim, California will be the location of our national summer conference in July of 2007.
• We cosponsored the first research symposium specifically dedicated to understanding the underlying nature and etiology of Childhood Apraxia of Speech.The CAS Research Symposium and the rich scholarly and scientific discussions which took place, led way to the published Proceedings of the 2002 Childhood Apraxia of Speech Research Symposium, a 266 page soft-bound volume edited by Lawrence Shriberg, Ph.D. and Thomas Campbell, Ph.D. Researchers, professionals, and parents from all over the world have purchased the symposium book, which is available from  The Hendrix Foundation, who cosponsored the event.
• In 2006, CASANA established the Apraxia Treatment Research Fund in order to create and fund research specifically on effective speech therapy for children with CAS. 
• "Hope Speaks:  An Introduction to Childhood Apraxia of Speech", the first video film on apraxia specifically designed for parents, was released in 2005.  In one year, over 1,000 copies have been sold worldwide on five continents.  In 2006, CASANA, in partnership with The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, released a new DVD for speech-language pathologists titled "Treatment Strategies for Childhood Apraxia of Speech."  This video includes 90 minutes of speech therapy techniques and video clips of children with CAS in therapy.
• We participate as Consumer Liaison with the National Insurance Advocacy Initiative (NIAI), advocating for improved insurance coverage for speech-language services for children.
• Each year we increase awareness and information about Childhood Apraxia of Speech among thousands of speech-language pathologists through our participation at the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) National Convention.Our Apraxia-KIDS^SM ASHA Exhibit Booth distributes up-to-date literature on topics related to CAS.Additionally, our staff and members of our Professional Advisory Board address the individual questions and concerns of booth visitors.
• We've pursued articles in national newspapers and other print media to increase awareness of CAS and its effects on children and families.

As we continue to maintain, increase, and grow our services, we need your help and financial support.

Please consider ways that you can help us advocate for every child to have a voice, including children with apraxia of speech who need our help and support.  Donate Now!
 

The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association