The Apraxia-KIDSSM Newsletter
Volume 10, Number 1
January/February 2009
ISSN: 1539-3003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- CASANA Names Executive Director
- A Welcome to New Professional Advisory Board Members
- Advance Magazine Blog Features Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview
- Apraxia Leader Wins "Community Champions Jefferson Award"
- CASANA Sponsored Events 2009
- National Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
- New Apraxia-KIDSSM Facebook Discussion Group
- Parent Holds Home Interior Fund Raiser to Benefit CASANA
- Time to Sing! CD for Children with Speech Disorders Benefits CASANA Programs
- Abstract: Functional characteristics of children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Article: Gene for Epilepsy May Give Insight into Speech Apraxia
- Special Education Legislative Update
CASANA News
CASANA Names Executive Director
The CASANA Board has named founder Sharon Gretz, M.ED., to the position of Executive Director. In 2001, Sharon was awarded the National Distinguished Service Award at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, presented to her by the National Council on Communicative Disorders for her work on behalf of children with apraxia and their families. Sharon has nearly 25 years experience in nonprofit services for children and adults with disabilities, disability rights advocacy, and program management. She is also the parent of a child diagnosed with apraxia of speech and has completed required coursework toward a Ph.D. in the Dept. of Communication Disorders and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Congratulations, Sharon.
A Welcome to New Professional Advisory Board Members
CASANA's Professional Advisory Board is a collection of committed clinicians and researchers in a variety of professional fields that touch the lives of children with apraxia. Our professional advisors help us by sharing and interpreting new CAS information and research, communicating best practices, and keeping us grounded in factual, reliable information that we share with our constituents - the families and professionals who care about a child with CAS. Additionally, our professional advisors are volunteers, assisting CASANA with its goal of high quality educational opportunities, for professionals and parents alike, by volunteering their time at our summer conference whenever possible. We welcome three new members to our Professional Advisory Board: Susan Caspari, M.A., CCC-SLP, Nancy Kaufman, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Dyann Rupp, M.S., CCC-SLP. Each of these advisors bring in-depth clinical experience and personal knowledge of children who have apraxia of speech. Readers can learn more about these three extraordinary professionals and the rest of CASANA's Professional Advisory Board by clicking here. Thank you Susan, Nancy and Dyann for your time and commitment to CASANA and its mission!
Advance Magazine Blog Features Childhood Apraxia of Speech Interview
On January 27 and January 30, 2009, CASANA's founder and current Executive Director, Sharon Gretz, participated in a two part interview conducted by Stephanie Bruno, with ADVANCE Magazine's Early Intervention Blog, about childhood apraxia of speech.
Click here for Part 1 of the interview.
Click here for part 2 of the interview.
Apraxia Leader Wins "Community Champions Jefferson Award"
Congratulations Sharon Gretz, CASANA Founder and current Exective Director, for being named a recent winner of the "2008 Community Champions Jefferson Award" sponsored by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Heinz Endowments, Highmark and The Pittsburgh Foundation. The Community Champions Program is built on the concept that one person can make a difference. Each year, community representatives pick 50 Community Champions. Every Community Champion is honored with an ad in the Post-Gazette and at a reception given in their honor. Sharon was selected for her long-term dedication to helping children affected by apraxia and their families through starting and building CASANA's information, support, education, and research programs. The Community Champions program is the local aspect of the national Jefferson Awards Program.
CASANA Sponsored Events
Miami, Florida Apraxia Workshop
February 27 & 28, 2009
Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Assessment, Intervention, and Bilingual Considerations
Featured speakers: Kathy Jakielski, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Christine Gildersleeve-Neumann, Ph.D, CCC-SLP
University of Miami
James L. Knight International Center
Miami Lecture Hall
Miami, Florida
Workshop Overview
Research reveals that criteria for assessing childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) are inconsistently applied by speech-language pathologists. In this presentation, the diagnostic indicators for differentiating CAS from other speech and language disorders will be discussed, and a CAS assessment protocol will be developed. Participants will have multiple hands-on opportunities to apply the assessment information to videotaped children exhibiting speech and language disorders. Current research will be reviewed. Clinical management of intervention for children with CAS also will be discussed. Intervention principles, goals, and protocols will be presented. Speech and language profiles of several children of various ages with moderate and severe CAS will be presented, with goal selection criteria detailed. Progress of the children in intervention will be reviewed, and techniques will be demonstrated using videotaped exhibitions. In addition, information on assessing and treating bilingual children with CAS will be provided. There also will be time reserved for case-related participant questions.
Click here for more information or to register.
Victoria, British Columbia Apraxia Workshop
March 27 & 28, 2009
Childhood Apraxia of Speech From an Integrated Perspective
Featured Speaker: Rebecca McCauley, Ph.D.
Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health
Queen Alexandra Building—Auditorium
2400 Arbutus Road
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
Workshop Overview
This course presents childhood apraxia of speech from a perspective that strives to integrate two views—CAS as a motor speech disorder and as a communication disorder that is frequently associated with difficulties in oral and, later, written language development. This integrated perspective is based on recent advances in research and in professional policy. Such advances include developments in genetics research that can help us better understand possible relationships among childhood disorders that share speech and language symptoms. It also includes research on the treatment of language and literacy difficulties in children with severe speech sound disorders and ASHA’s contributions to a developing professional consensus on the diagnosis of CAS. Lecture, video examples, group exercises, and focused question-and-answer periods will be incorporated to facilitate participants’ engagement and problem-solving related to children with CAS, as a group and as individuals.
Click here for more information or to register.
2009 National Conference on Childhood Apraxia of Speech
July 9 - 11, 2009
Pheasant Run Resort
St. Charles, Illinois
(near Chicago)
The conference is the greatest opportunity for parents and professionals to learn about apraxia and how to help children develop to their full potential.
- Keynote Address presented by Dr. Larry Shriberg, University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Variety of speakers that are nationally recognized experts in the field of childhood apraxia
- 2 full days of lectures
- Opening reception
- Special donor reception
- Many opportunities for networking
- Professional ASHA CEU’s available
- Vendors
- Breakfast and lunch included in registration fee
Conference Overview:
Thursday, July 9, 2009
3:00 PM Registration
4:00 PM Opening Reception
6:00 PM Keynote Address
Friday, July 10, 2009
7:00 AM Registration and Breakfast
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Full day of lectures
12 Noon Lunch
5:00 PM Donor Reception
Saturday, July 11, 2009
7:00 AM Registration and Breakfast
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Full day of lectures
12 Noon Lunch
Click here for more information or contact Conference Director Kathy Bauer at kathyb@apraxia-kids.org .
2009 National Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
The 2009 National Conference on Childhood Apraxia of Speech has a wide vareity of Corporate Sponsorship options available. Click here for our PDF file for available options.
New Apraxia-KIDSSM Facebook Discusssion Group
To help us acheive our goal to create and support networking and partnership opportunities for parents and professionals to benefit children with CAS, CASANA has created a new discussion group on Facebook. Joining our Apraxia-KIDSSM Listserv and Apraxia-KIDSSM Message Boards discussion groups, the new Facebook group will offer another opportunity for families and professionals to connect with one another.
Click here to register for our new Facebook Discussion Group. You can also become a "fan" of CASANA on Facebook here.
Parent Holds Home Interior Fund Raiser to Benefit CASANA
CASANA would like to thank Chrissy Ferrel, mom to Ian, a child with apraxia, for raising $383.25 by having a Home Interior Fudraiser and donating the proceeds to CASANA. We congratulate Chrissy and thank her for her inspired and dedicated efforts to the children and families affected by Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Time to Sing! CD for Children with Speech Disorders Benefits CASANA Programs
A young child’s world is filled with song, from the first lullaby, to “Happy Birthday”. But for our children, struggling to speak, singing along with their friends can seem hopeless – they can’t keep up. If only the words were slower, they could sing along, too. Time To Sing! is the answer! The songs on this recording have all been newly arranged. The words are much slower than the originals, but the music is fun, exciting, playful, and beautiful. This music recording is perfect for children with apraxia and other speech or language disorders, children learning English as a second language, and children with other delays.
We hope your children enjoy them, now that they have time …to sing! Click here to order your copy of "Time to Sing!" today.
Apraxia Research Studies
Subject Recruitment for Research Project
Are you the parent or primary caregiver of a child with a disability? Would you like to contribute to research at Northwestern University on a new sibling survey?
If you have:
1. A child with a developmental disability (e.g,. autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome) living at home
2. At least one child 4 years or older without a disability living at home
You may be eligible to participate in an online survey that takes 15-30 minutes to complete. For more information call 307-766-5577 or e-mail jsenner@uwyo.edu .
Prinicipal Investigator: Jill Ellyn Senner, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, University of Wyoming; 307-766-5577
Subject Inclusion/Exclusion criteria:
Adults who are primary caregivers for a child with a disability within the home environment will serve as subjects. To participate subjects must also have at least one child 4 years or older without a disability living in the home.
How will research data be used?
The information from this study may help us develop a rating scale to assist siblings in identifying and sharing needs related to having a brother or sister with a disability. Results of this study may be used for teaching, research, publications, or presentations at scientific meetings. If individual results are discussed, subject identity will be protected.
Click here to participate in the survey.
[Apraxia-Kids Procedure for Posting Informational Notices of Subject Recruitment for Research
Researchers and students who wish to use the Apraxia-Kids Internet Resources for legitimate research projects are asked to submit basic information regarding their research project, its protocol, any benefit to subjects, funders and specific information regarding approval from an oversight body such as an institutional review board. Institutional Review Boards (IRB) are charged with insuring protection for human subjects used in research. The information is then submitted to CASANA's professional advisory board for their review of the basic elements required, especially the IRB approval.
The sole purpose of posting Subject Recruitment Notices is to inform members of the listserv about ongoing research and to do so in a responsible manner. Any decision of listserv members to participate must be based on contacts with the researchers themselves as the posting of the information on Apraxia-Kids does not constitute endorsement by CASANA or its Professional Advisory Board.]
In the News
Abstract: Functional characteristics of children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Disabil Rehabil. 2009;31(2):94-102.
Teverovsky EG, Bickel JO, Feldman HM.
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to describe the complex array of functional problems in children diagnosed by their treating speech/language pathologist with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), a poorly understood, severe speech sound disorder.
Method. We asked parents (n = 201) attending the first national parent conference on CAS to voluntarily complete a survey, which evaluated 43 functional domains from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-Children and Youth version (ICF-CY). The survey also included questions about co-existing medical, developmental, and mental health conditions and about service utilization. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis.
Results. The most prevalent functional problems in addition to communication were attention (focus), vestibular function, temperament, fine hand use, maintaining attention, and learning to write. Four orthogonal factors accounted for 23% of the variance in functional problems: Cognitive and Learning Problems, Social Communication Difficulties, Behavioral Dysregulation, and Other Oral Motor Problems. Over half the sample had health, mental health, and developmental conditions. Almost all of the children used early intervention and speech/language therapy services.
Conclusions. The ICF-CY provided a systematic approach for describing and categorizing functional problems in children with CAS. The identified factors should guide the multidisciplinary team in conducting comprehensive evaluations, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up of children with CAS.
[Editor's Note: This study was conducted at CASANA's first national apraxia conference! There are limitations to the study since CAS wasn't "verified" and it was a survey, however, good to see CAS getting the attention! Also, it looks promising that there may be some research conducted at this summer's national conference as well. Dr. Feldman is a member of CASANA's Professional Advisory Board.]
Article: Gene for Epilepsy May Give Insight into Speech Apraxia
Public release date: 28-Jan-2009
Columbia University Medical Center
First gene discovered for most common form of epilepsy
Finding supports new theory about causes of epilepsy and offers possible insights into the cause of speech dyspraxia, ADHD, DCD and other cognitive and behavioral disorders
NEW YORK (January 28, 2009) - An international team of researchers, led by investigators at Columbia University Medical Center, has uncovered the first gene linked to the most common type of epilepsy, called Rolandic epilepsy. One out of every five children with epilepsy is diagnosed with this form, which is associated with seizures starting in one part of the brain.
Results of the study were published in an advance online issue of the European Journal of Human Genetics on January 28, 2009.
The finding is the first step in unlocking the causes of common childhood epilepsies and developing more effective treatments. Children with Rolandic and other types of epilepsies are usually treated with drugs that prevent seizures by suppressing electrical activity in the entire brain.
"Epilepsy medications are effective for many children but there is concern that some of the cognitive and behavioral problems that children with epilepsy often suffer might be attributable in part to these drugs," says the study's senior author, pediatric neurologist Deb Pal, M.D., Ph.D., Columbia University research scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at the College of Physicians & Surgeons and at the Mailman School of Public Health and in the Division of Epidemiology at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. "Most epilepsies have a genetic influence, much of which has yet to be discovered. If we knew the actual genetic causes, then we could try to stop or reverse the processes that lead to seizures and other neurological impairments. This finding will hopefully help lead us to the right intervention."
In the study, the researchers searched the entire genome of 38 families and found a region on chromosome 11 that was linked with Rolandic epilepsy. Then, by comparing this region in people with Rolandic epilepsy to unaffected controls (255 people in total), the researchers pinpointed the gene, called ELP4.
The finding was replicated in a completely different set of patients and controls collected by the team's Canadian members, with the same result. Though Dr. Pal says an outside group still needs to replicate the findings, the two independent experiments provide strong evidence that ELP4 is truly linked to Rolandic epilepsy.
ELP4 has never before been linked to a human disease but is related to a group of genes (transcriptional regulators) that recently have been associated with other common forms of epilepsy. All these genes appear to influence the organization of brain circuits during development.
The discovery of genes like ELP4 are slowly altering the prevailing view of the cause of common epilepsies. Instead of stemming from changes in the brain's ion channels, as previously thought, the disorders likely stem from the way the brain's neurons connect to each other during development, researchers now believe.
With that perspective, it is not surprising that children with epilepsy often have other learning and behavior problems. "We shouldn't think of epilepsy as just about the seizures, but also about all the other brain impairments we see, like a delay in speaking, reading difficulties, and attention problems," Dr. Pal says. "Seizures are one, but not the only, consequence of these children's slightly altered brain development."
The findings also offer possible insights into the causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech dyspraxia (a speech disorder in which a person has a delay in speech development due to motor coordination difficulties), and developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Children with these developmental disorders often have the same spiky brainwave pattern that is present in children with Rolandic epilepsy. Understanding how the ELP4 gene is related to the brainwave pattern may help researchers uncover the causes of these disorders.
Rolandic epilepsy, named for the region of the brain affected by the seizures, begins almost exclusively in children between the ages of 3 and 12. Seizures typically start in the morning just after the child wakes up and cause a loss of muscle tone in the face and a loss of speech. Seizures stop on their own after several minutes. Most children grow out of the disorder by adolescence.
Special Education Legislative Update
There has been no action yet on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) or IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) reauthorization in Congress.
However, there are two bills called The Civil Rights Act of 2008 and the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act that are expected to be reintroduced in both Houses of Congress (though possibly under different names). These bills would accomplish two critical things for families of students with disabilities: (1) allow families to recover their expert witness fees if they prevail in due process (overturning a recent Supreme Court decision called Arlington) and (2) allow families to recover their attorney’s fees if they achieve a favorable settlement with the school district prior to due process (overturning a Supreme Court decision called Buckhannon).
More information on these bills can be found on the COPAA website (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates: http://www.copaa.org ) or at the government’s website (these bills were introduced last year in the 110th Congress) – http://www.thomas.gov .
Please contact your House Representative and both of your U.S. Senators in support of these bills that will help level the playing field for families of students with disabilities! (To find contact information, you can visit http://www.thomas.gov .)
[Editor’s Note: This update is courtesy of Sandy Alperstein, Volunteer Co-Webmaster of "Our Children Left Behind"
(http://www.ourchildrenleftbehind.com ) and long-time listserv member.
Success Comes in All Sizes
John
Our son John (now 4.5 years old) was diagnosed with severe CAS in April of 2007 at the age of 2.9 yrs old. He had only 3 words and few sounds. His development up to the age point had been developmentally appropriate except for expressive language. His receptive language was normal to above in range. He was in Birth To Three from the age of 2.5 until he transitioned to the school at age 3.
When he transitioned it was summer and he was in the summer program for 2 weeks with pull out speech and then 8 additional speech sessions in August. She was wonderful and we would have continued privately with her but she was going on maternity leave. We did keep in touch through the next 3 months.
As his first school year began with his new school SLP, progress was slow. She kept a communication book so that we would know what they worked on during the day with "homework" for us to work on each night that he had speech. If we were having trouble with something she would have me come in and see how she worked with him so we could get the same results at home. We seemed to be stuck though and not making much progress. In December we were able to make contact with David Hammer of PA. He was willing to see us, as we were afraid we might not be on the right track to helping John. In the summer we had help from a friend who is a graphic designer and we set up a customized version of a "pecs" system in our home. With photos of everything from family and friends at school to places we went often, to all the foods he liked. We took pictures of everyone and everything we could think of, toys included. My friend re-sized and labeled all the photos and sent them back to me. We then laminated and used Velcro to attach the pictures to two boards in our kitchen, that Johnny had easy access to. We also increased our use of sign language.
Due to schedules we were able to make an appointment with Mr. Hammer for the end of March. Somewhere about February a friend sent me information on a one day seminar in March with Nancy Kaufman, SLP. I sent the info to our school SLP. The school sent her to attend and I also attended with a friend and we were able to sit next to each other during the seminar. She came away with so many ideas and it was wonderful to be able to pass ideas that we thought would work with Johnny back and forth through out the day. It was really ideal. Johnny's school speech sessions changed at that point and we had new strategies in place.
We then made our trip to PA which really changed all our lives. What Dave Hammer, SLP was able to do in 2 days was amazing. We had videos to bring back to our schoool SLP and also the private SLP we would be starting with - the same one he had that previous summer. Both SLP's reviewed the videos and worked together with the communication book till the end of summer. Johnny already had made a lot of progress in 3 months. We opted out of the summer program for Johnny and just had speech alone with a new SLP. We increased our private SLP to 2 times a week through the summer. Dave Hammer had the opportunity to see Johnny in VA and he was very pleased by the amount of progress made in 3 months. By the start of school for this year (2008 - 2009) Johnny had already reached all his goals for his IEP for the coming school year. We set up a new meeting with lots of new goals and changes to his sessions. Johnny went from 15 word approximations and at least 50 signs in March to now speaking in 5 - 8 word sentences on a regular basis.
We never thought we would be writing this 9 months ago. Most people can understand him most of the time. There are still times when I help to interpret but it declines steadily. My dad took Johnny for the first time for 4 hours by himself and they had a great time having lunch and visiting some of my dad's friends. The reason this is a huge milestone is my dad wears 2 hearing aides and has difficulty sometimes understanding my 2 typical daughters especially if they start talking fast and don't look at him when speaking. They are 10 and 8. He said he understood him almost the whole time with only a few times of trying to figure out something he was telling him.
We have continued with our private SLP and Johnny still has a long way to go yet he has come so far. Everyone has been amazed by his progress and I'm thankful to all who have helped in this journey and especially proud of Johnny who never gives up.
From his mom, Janet, and his dad, Ron
[Editor's Note: If you'd like to share one of your child's milestone moments, please email me at dawnk@apraxia-kids.org . ]
Apraxia-Related Conferences and Workshops
For the most current information on seminars and workshops related to apraxia, click here.
Upcoming Support Group Meetings
Several support groups are in the process of forming. Please see the list at the end of this section for more information on what locations are included. If you know of an apraxia support group in your area, or are interested in starting one, please contact dawnk@apraxia-kids.org to have the information added to the newsletter. An asterisk (*) denotes a new support group that has formed. Please click here to check our Calendar of Events for complete up to date support group meeting information.
Apraxia Moms - Connecticut, Support Group
When: Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Michele Wasikowski at michelewasikowski@yahoo.com or (203) 521-6112
See them at: http://apraxiamomsct.org
Apraxia Support Group of New York City
When: TBA
Contact: Karen Agnifilo at KarenandMarc22@aol.com
Boston Area Apraxia Support Group
When: TBA
Contact: Beth Duffy at philipandmarysmom@yahoo.com or
Join the egroup at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NE_Apraxia
Cherry Hill, New Jersey Area Apraxia Support Group
When: Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Where: Cherry Hill Public Library
Quiet Room – First Floor
1100 King Highway North
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08034
Contact: Sandy Hughes during the day at sandyhughes@elementar-inc.com , (856) 787-0022, ext. 203 or Susan Bunnell at susan.m.bunnell@att.net
Chicagoland Apraxia Network
When: Friday, March 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Holly Olmsted-Hickey at chicagoapraxia@comcast.net
Join the egroup at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/windycityapraxia
*Childhood Apraxia of Speech Network of Hampton Roads (CASN-HR)
When: Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to noon
Topic: Writing your child’s portfolio
Speaker: Rebeccah Smith, SLP
Saturday, April 11, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to noon
Topic: Sensory Integration and Motor Planning Disorders
Speaker: Tracy Miller, MHS, OTR/L
Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to noon
Topic: Handwriting as it relates to motor planning disorders
Speaker: Tracy Miller, MHS, OTR/L
Where: Rehabilitation Associates in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Contact: Jessica Brown-Gocio, Mollie Garret or Amber Janzen at casn_hr@yahoo.com
Join the egroup at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/casn_hr
Cincinnati Area Apraxia Support Group
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m
Where: Children's Hospital-Outpatient Mason
Contact: Marion Messerle at pmesserle@cinci.rr.com, or
Lesley Bunn at (513) 636-6123
*Columbus, Ohio Apraxia Support Group
When: Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Ronald McDonald House
711 E. Livingston Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Contact: Jenny Tighe at tigjenny@wideopenwest.com or Tiffany Bafford at tifbafford@hotmail.com
Dayton, Ohio Apraxia Playgroup
When: Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Contact: Erin Chase at apraxiadayton@gmail.com
See them at: http://apraxiadayton.blogspot.com
Finger Lakes/Rochester, New York Apraxia Support Group
When: Friday, March 20, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Alia Heise at alia@rochester.rr.com
Greater Cleveland Area Apraxia Support Group
When: TBA
Contact: Julie Zsigray at RJDJZ@aol.com or 440-365-5660
Minnesota (Twin Cities) Apraxia Support Group
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Where: Byerly's
12880 Elm Creek Boulevard
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Contact: Carrie Edberg at carriegene2002@yahoo.com
See them at: http://www.apraxiamn.org/
Salt Lake Apraxia Support Group
When: TBA
Where: Wasatch Speech and Language Center
Salt Lake City, Utah
Contact: Maria or Tom Gurrister, CCC-SLPs, at MGurrister@aol.com or (801) 308-0400
*Speech Apraxia Connection of the Upstate, Greenville, South Carolina
When: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Center for Developmental Services
Contact: Mindy Ramsey at mindyramsey@familyconnectionsc.org or (864) 331-1340
*South Eastern Wisconsin Apraxia Support Group
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Contact: Julie Lettow at Jupiter@netwurx.net
Call For Support Group Interest
The following people have expressed interest in participating in or starting an Apraxia Support Group in their area. Please contact the person indicated if you are interested. An asterisk (*) denotes a new addition to the list.
A Child’s Voice/Support Group for Parents with Children with Apraxia in Connecticut
Contact: Amy Hynek at arhynek@sbcglobal.net or (860) 287-1582
Alaska Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Elaine Richey at erichey@pobox.mtaonline.net
Atlanta Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Lora Lastinger Langley at Apraxia_Support-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
See them at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Apraxia_Support
Birmingham, Alabama Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Ann Marie Liskey at LiskeyFamily@BellSouth.net
Bismarck, North Dakota Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Renee Feist at dlrmfeist@bis.midco.net
Charlottesville, Virginia Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Michele Wilson at micheledw2003@yahoo.com
Columbia, South Carolina Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Steph Galloway at StephGalloway@sc.rr.com
Greeneville, Tennessee Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Carmen Gamble at carmenwgamble@gmail.com
Jacksonville/North Florida Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Kristen Alford at kristenandlee@bellsouth.net
Knoxville, Tennessee Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Sandy Beeler at sbeeler@chartertn.net
*Las Vegas, Nevada Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Jil Gertz, MA/CCC-SLP at speechtherapylv@embarqmail.com
Louisiana, East Texas and West Mississippi Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Melissa Coston at missycoston@suddenlink.net
Maine Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Corinna Cushing at Cori@cushco.com or (207) 657-2474
*Metro-Detroit Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Michele Thomas at MCASS@live.com
New Freedom, Shrewsberry, Pennsylvania Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Karen Somerville at ksomerville5@comcast.net
*Northern Virginia Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Melissa Hammond at melissa.hammond@snowfish.net
Northwestern Wisconsin Apraxia Support Group (including Burnett, Polk, Douglas and Washburn Counties)
Contact: Kim Champion at campfit@centurytel.net
Outer Banks, North Carolina Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Misty Hilliard at mistyhilliard@yahoo.com
*Seattle, Washington Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Amy King at amy.king@yahoo.com
South Eastern Connecticut Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Michelle Saporito at michelle.saporito@myeastern.com
Southern Idaho Loved Ones with Apraxia Support Group (Boise, Mountain Home, Twin Falls)
Contact: Jennifer Alatorre at kdsmommy04@yahoo.com
Southern Minnesota Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Lauren Dehn at klhabear@bevcomm.net
South Florida Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Alba Gaston at dighayzoos@yahoo.com
*Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Contact: Dr. Dom and Mary Spino at drspinocares@comcast.net
Winfield, Kansas Apraxia Support Group
Contact: Veronica Crosser at roni.sliter.crosser@gmail.com or (620) 221-1069
Other Apraxia Parent Support Groups
For a complete listing of online and parent apraxia support groups click here
Subscription Information
Any questions, comments or suggestions regarding this newsletter should be sent to the editor at: dawnk@apraxia-kids.org .
Questions not related to the newsletter should be directed to: helpdesk@apraxia-kids.org .
We respect your privacy and assure you that we have not and will not sell our subscriber list. Please see our privacy policy for more details.
© Copyright 1996-2009 Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America.
All of the content (including the compilation itself) in the Apraxia-KIDSSM Monthly newsletter is the property of Apraxia-KIDS' parent association, the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association, or the authors indicated and are, therefore, protected by international and U.S. copyright laws. Any use, including the display, reproduction, or republication of the content on this newsletter is strictly prohibited without express permission from the owner of the copyright. This newsletter may be forwarded, but only in its entirety unless it is fully credited to the Apraxia-KIDSSM Monthly newsletter and with the expressed written consent of the author.
About This Publication:
The Apraxia-KIDSSM Newsletter is a free, online newsletter dedicated to informing and educating individuals about issues related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Its intended audience is parents, therapists, educators, medical professionals, legislators, advocates and any other individuals who may be interested in learning more. The Apraxia-KIDSSM web site and the Apraxia-KIDSSM newsletter are programs of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association (CASANA). CASANA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes and provides information, education and research-support concerning Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Contact the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America
Address: 1151 Freeport Road #243, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Phone: (412) 343-7102
Email: helpdesk@apraxia-kids.org
URL: http://www.apraxia-kids.org
| 
