Caterina Apruzzese, SLP, is now a graduate of the Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute (Apraxia Boot Camp) and is considered Recognized by Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Caterina is SLP with over 13 years of clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of language disorders and motor speech disorders. Over the past 10 years, she has developed specific expertise in the management of children with CAS, childhood dysarthria and other Motor Speech Disorders, gaining extensive clinical and training experience in international contexts.

Caterina offers services in Italy.
Check out Caterina’s Apraxia Kids SLP Directory Listing to learn more.

Apraxia Kids: What are the top 3 things you learned from this training experience?

Caterina:

1. I have strengthened my clinical rationale in the assessment and treatment of CAS, developing specific competencies in the definition and quantification of therapeutic targets and in goal writing according to clinically measurable criteria
2. I have also developed broad and in-depth knowledge of multiple evidence-based treatment approaches applicable across different levels of CAS severity, with the aim of ensuring individualized interventions grounded in the best available evidence
3. I maintain an explicit and structured clinical rationale for each assessment and treatment decision, based on the integration of scientific evidence, observational data, and the individual characteristics of the client.

Apraxia Kids: How did the boot camp experience change or expand your network of colleagues/friends?

Caterina: The Bootcamp experience significantly contributed to the expansion of my professional network, allowing me to establish stable collaborations with colleagues who share a specialized interest in speech-language pathology and in the intervention for CAS.

The intensive work carried out alongside SLPs from diverse clinical and cultural backgrounds promoted professional exchange, the sharing of clinical reasoning models, and the acquisition of new intervention strategies directly transferable to clinical practice.

Alongside professional growth, meaningful interpersonal relationships developed, grounded in shared experiences, mutual support, and a common commitment to optimizing functional outcomes for children with CAS.

This professional network continues to represent an important source of scientific stimulation, collaboration opportunities, and a valuable resource for continuous professional development. Within this context, the WhatsApp group functions as an ongoing space for professional discussion, sharing of clinical materials, and collaborative learning.

The Bootcamp structure was characterized by a highly effective balance between whole-group instruction and small-group teaching activities, while also providing adequate informal time that facilitated the development of professional relationships beyond the strictly educational setting. Particularly valuable was the presenters’ and faculty members’ willingness to engage in informal discussions with participants, fostering more comprehensive professional relationships.

Apraxia Kids: Describe how you have implemented the knowledge you gained at boot camp.

Caterina: The Bootcamp represents one of the most significant training experiences of my professional career. I have directly integrated the knowledge acquired during the Bootcamp into both my clinical practice and my training activities with colleagues, gaining greater confidence in the identification of the disorder and in the therapeutic decision-making process for children with CAS, through a flexible integration of treatment approaches and clinical reasoning.

In the therapy of children with CAS, I apply more structured and intensive approaches, defining targeted rehabilitation goals and measurable clinical objectives and outcomes.

Simultaneously, I share these strategies in training courses and clinical supervision, supporting other SLPs in enhancing the effectiveness of their interventions and in improving support for children and families in daily life. A particularly relevant aspect of the experience was the exploration of beyond CAS, which allowed consideration not only of language and learning but also of the emotional dimensions of the child. Being part of a professional support network continues to represent an important resource for me, contributing to the strengthening of my competence and professional identity as SLP

Apraxia Kids: What is an example of how you have been able to (or plan to) use your expertise as a local resource/support for other professionals and/or families since attending the intensive training?

Caterina: Following my participation in the Intensive Training, I have been able to consolidate my role as a local resource for both professionals and families. In the context of professional training, university teaching, and clinical supervision, I share practical strategies for the differential diagnosis of CAS and motor speech disorders, as well as for the design and implementation of therapeutic interventions, supporting approximately 1,500 speech-language pathologists annually in enhancing the effectiveness of their clinical protocols.

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

Caterina: I would strongly recommend the Bootcamp to anyone considering enrollment. Although intensive, the experience is highly formative, providing practical strategies, hands-on learning, and evidence-based approaches that can be immediately applied in clinical practice.