The Latest News, Events, and Information on or Related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech |
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The Latest News, Events, and Information on or Related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech |
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We have issued our 2013 “Request for Applications” in order for researchers to apply for CASANA Apraxia research grants. CASANA believes that our CAS Research Grant program is critically important as it is the only dedicated funding available for CAS research. Funding will be expanded this year because of the great success of last year’s Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech. CASANA’s research funding program continues to emphasize an interest in clinical research projects aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of children with CAS. Additionally, CASANA is interested in early identification as well as approaches which include biophysical evidence alongside behavioral evidence. Finally, CASANA has expanded the program to include consideration of applications from Ph.D. candidates who are investigating CAS for their dissertation. In all instances and in all potential study areas, CASANA’s primary interest is in high quality scientific research that, upon completion, will be suitable and acceptable to peer-reviewed publications. As indicated in the evaluation “weight” given to research approach in the grant evaluation categories (see review criteria in the application), CASANA is interested in, and will only select for funding, relevant research proposals which are methodologically sound and which include appropriate and necessary experimental control.
An expert external review committee will read, evaluate, and recommend grants for funding to CASANA. All information, requirements, and instructions are provided in the application packet.
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The Latest News, Events, and Information on or Related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech |
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The Latest News, Events, and Information on or Related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech |
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The Latest News, Events, and Information on or Related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech |
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March 7, 2013 |
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On February 21-22, 2013 CASANA was honored to sponsor the 2013 Childhood Apraxia of Speech Research Symposium at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, GA. International CAS researchers, CASANA’s Board of Directors, Professional Advisory Board, and staff gathered to discuss the current state of the art in CAS research with emphasis on what the research may mean to identification, diagnosis and treatment for children with CAS.
Main speakers and panels in the areas of Current Trends, Genetics, Diagnostic Markers, Neuroimaging, and Neuro-cognitive Behavioral CAS Research. During the course of the two days, researchers were able to network with one another, share ideas, and plan future collaborations on CAS research projects.
In the future, CASANA plans to provide an Executive Summary of the 2013 Research Symposium and to enable internet video viewing of the main section recordings so that other interested individuals worldwide will be able to benefit from the information shared. CASANA’s Board of Directors will use the discussions to evaluate its Apraxia Research Grant program and its future direction. The symposium was made possible by funds generated through the Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech.
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(PITTSBURGH, PA)—(March 4, 2013) –The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to support the iPads for Apraxia project, a program that provides children with apraxia iPads and protective cases, and scholarships to CASANA’s National Conference, an exclusive, three-day educational event for parents, researchers, and speech pathologists to learn about all aspects of childhood apraxia of speech.
Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a very challenging and complicated speech disorder in children, making it difficult or impossible for children to accurately produce sounds, syllables and/or words despite having a good understanding of language. Through the awarded grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, CASANA will be able to provide more children with CAS the latest technology to help with speech therapy and to communicate, as well as a unique educational opportunity for their families to learn all about their child’s speech, language, learning, and communication needs.
“We are so appreciative of Highmark’s generous support for two of our very important programs that support children with apraxia of speech and their families,” said Sharon Gretz, M.Ed., Executive Director and Founder of CASANA. “These families struggle constantly to provide critical therapeutic resources for the children, resources that often strap them financially. Highmark’s grant will provide critical resources to these children and families.”
CASANA’s iPads for Apraxia project was initiated in 2011 and to date has provided iPads and protective cases to 115 children with severe apraxia of speech. The use of this mobile technology has not only engaged and motivated children with apraxia of all ages, but its usage has led to increases in the amount of home practice on the children’s speech therapy goals and skills. Equally important, applications on the iPads enable their use as “talkers” or augmentative communication systems as the children continue to practice speaking more clearly. This awarded grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will provide iPads and cases for eight children.
Another key provision of the Highmark grant is scholarships for 15 parents to attend the 2013 National Conference on Childhood Apraxia of Speech in Denver, Colorado. This conference is unique among all educational opportunities worldwide in that it brings together parents and professionals over three days to learn about and discuss all aspects of raising a child with apraxia and significant communication issues. Many parents report the event is transformative to their ability to advocate for their child and increase their understanding of their child’s needs.
“Highmark has a longstanding commitment of assisting children in the communities we serve, so it’s a perfect fit for us to support CASANA,” said Mary Anne Papale, Highmark’s director of community affairs. “We are proud to be aligned with an organization that is making a difference in the lives of children.”
The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA), founded in 2000, strives to improve the systems of support in the lives of children with apraxia so that each child is afforded their best opportunity to develop speech and to achieve to their potential. CASANA works toward this mission through promoting national awareness of childhood apraxia of speech; providing high quality information and support to families and professionals; conducting multiple educational events around the nation; and supporting as well as funding apraxia research. For more information on CASANA and Childhood Apraxia of Speech, visit the Apraxia-KIDS website at https://www.apraxia-kids.org.
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