10 Sep Congratulations Patricia Mayro, M.A., CCC-SLP!

Congratulations to Patricia Mayro, M.A., CCC-SLP, for graduating from the Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute (Apraxia Boot Camp)!

Patricia Mayro is an Assistant Professor and Interim Clinical Director at Salus University, primarily providing clinical education at the Salus University Speech-Language Institute. She has been a speech-language pathologist for 30 years, and most of my career has been providing speech and language therapy to 3-5-year-olds in Head Start programs, preschools, and at their homes. Childhood apraxia of speech became a special interest of hers when Patricia encountered a preschooler at Head Start who spoke in vowels because she had such difficulty planning and programming the movements from one speech sound to the next. Seeing this child struggle so hard to communicate made Patricia determined to learn all she could about motor speech disorders to help this child and children like her to find their voice. This is what motivated her to apply for Apraxia Kids’ Intensive Training Institute (“Bootcamp”). In addition, Patricia is a graduate of the ASHA 2017 Leadership Development Program with a project focused on developing supervision resources in Pennsylvania. She is also an inaugural Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for Apraxia Kids.

Apraxia Kids: If you were to state the #1 thing you learned from this training experience, what would that be?

Patricia: The #1 thing I learned is that an appropriate diagnosis of CAS is so important! Families are looking for professionals with the expertise to give them answers and to give them hope for their child. The responsibility to provide really excellent care to our Apraxia Stars is huge. I am inspired by my fellow Bootcamp graduates. They have such passion and skill that they generously share with the apraxia community.

Apraxia Kids: Tell us about any relationships that you formed through the training experience.

Patricia: I love that I was part of a small group within the larger Bootcamp cohort, which allowed me to get to know my teammates a little better. I have especially enjoyed working with Sarah Carmody, who was so kind as to present the reward talk earned by the Philadelphia Walk for Apraxia in May. Since we are relatively close to each other geographically, we have been able to stay in contact and make referrals to each other. I also really loved seeing my fellow Bootcamp graduates at the Apraxia Kids National Conference this summer, including Aubrie Hagopian, Isabelle Demosthenes, and Jen Sakowicz. I have also gotten to know Bootcamp graduates from previous years, such as my fellow Volunteer Outreach Coordinators Laura Moorer and Pooja Aggarwal.  It has been so helpful to have so many outstanding professionals to call on and to count on!

Apraxia Kids: Have you served as a local resource/information source for other professionals and families since attending the intensive training?

Patricia: I am so happy to say that I am a Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for Apraxia Kids in the Philadelphia area. I have presented to speech-language pathologists who work in our local school district. I have also attended support group meetings and provided families new to apraxia with resources from Apraxia Kids. I have also guest lectured on CAS to our graduate students at my university. Most recently, I was a guest on our university’s podcast to explain what childhood apraxia of speech is and how to treat it.

Apraxia Kids: What would you say to someone considering applying to boot camp next year?

Patricia: If you are considering applying for Bootcamp next year, please do it. You will learn so much, make great friendships with smart colleagues, and develop expertise that will help the children you serve to find their voice!