Training opportunities to specialize in a particular diagnosis are limited in the field of speech-language pathology. Intensive Training (Apraxia Kids Boot Camp) offered by Apraxia Kids, is an in-depth, in-person learning experience to take your knowledge of childhood apraxia of speech to the next level.
Intensive Training
WHAT IS “APRAXIA KIDS BOOT CAMP”?
Apraxia Kids Boot Camp is an intensive, advanced training program. Apraxia Kids Boot Camp was designed to strategically identify and intensively train qualified speech-language pathologists in order to boost their clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).
Next Scheduled Boot Camp
The next Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute (Boot Camp) will be held in the summer of 2025. Application will open in the fall of 2024. If you would like to be notified when applications will open, please click below:
Requirements for Applying to the 2023 Apraxia Kids Intensive Training
Is an SLP with a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience post graduate school and has experience providing direct speech intervention with children with CAS.
Is a clinician who has treated at least 5-10 children with apraxia of speech in the past and feels reasonably successful with this client population.
Is listed in the Apraxia Kids SLP Directory (or is in the process of being listed and will be completed by application deadline.)
Is a clinician who has access to a child with apraxia of speech to complete their required case study as part of the intensive training.
Is a clinician who has a good understanding of phonetic transcription.
Has attended within the last five years, continuing education on CAS from a variety of instructors and on a variety of topics, and is able to discuss how such training has informed their clinical practice for assessment and treatment.
Has the capacity in their current employment setting to accept new clients for both assessment and treatment and is committed to serving as a local resource for other professionals and families.
Is committed to maintaining an ongoing relationship with Apraxia Kids to support education of other professionals and families through volunteering within their local community and beyond.
Will continue to engage in learning opportunities and report those back to Apraxia Kids to maintain status of having Advanced Training and Expertise in CAS.
**Please note** Clinicians with limited experience (i.e. new practitioners or those who have seen less than 5 children with CAS) or those with quite extensive, existing expertise and reputation for their work with this population are not the target audience for this training.
What has been the impact of Apraxia Kids Boot Camp?
Nearly 150 speech-language pathologists in the US and Canada have been trained through the Apraxia Kids Boot Camp. These graduates have gone on to educate other SLPs in their communities, organize a Walk for Apraxia or other fundraising events, speak at our National Conference, and present On-Demand Webinars on advanced topics. They serve as experts to provide appropriate assessment, treatment and support to children and families in their communities.
What makes Apraxia Kids Boot Camp different than other training opportunities?
Unlike other training opportunities, Apraxia Kids Boot Camp has a 6-month mentorship following the training where participants can receive feedback on their case study. Such mentorship is rare to find without additional cost.
Apraxia Kids Boot Camp Graduates
Interested in hearing first-hand accounts of what Boot Camp is really like?
Check out these blogs from our graduates where they recount their experiences and share advice for potential students!
THE IMPACT OF APRAXIA KIDS BOOT CAMP
What do past graduates say about their experience attending boot camp?
“Participating in boot camp and building relationships among like-minded SLPs has been amazing. I have gained a group of colleagues around the world that are passionate about working with individuals with CAS and know that I can turn to them for any guidance I may need. Boot camp is challenging and demanding, but an invaluable experience. If you are passionate about working with the CAS population, apply!”
“It has, by far, been one of the best professional experiences of my life and possibly even one of the best experiences in my life in general. I learned so much. The project afterward is where I feel like everything really came together. You get an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field and, after boot camp, you have access to them as well as the people you went to boot camp with and those who have gone before you. It is truly an amazing experience. It has lit a whole new passion fire in me.”
“The Apraxia Kids boot camp experience has expanded my professional relationships into the CAS community. This experience has given me a connection to an elite group of SLPs to support and grow together as a community in the area of childhood apraxia of speech. If you love speech-sound disorders, want to gain an in-depth understanding of CAS, have the desire to pay it forward through training and spreading awareness, this boot camp with change your life.”
“I would say that boot camp is an invaluable experience that has greatly impacted my practice as an SLP. This opportunity challenged my critical thinking, problem-solving, and overall knowledge in the area of CAS. I am not a better SLP because of boot camp. I wish more trainings were modeled like this one.”
“If you are considering applying for boot camp 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!”
“As SLPs, we are all on this journey together. The more we learn, the better we do. This learning opportunity will change your understanding and ability to assess and treat CAS.”
“You should definitely apply if you are passionate and dedicated to working with children with childhood apraxia of speech. The whole process was a lot of work but every minute of it was totally worth it.”
“The relationships developed amongst the group of therapists at boot camp has been invaluable. Knowing I have a support group of colleagues spread across the country yet only a click away to answer questions and collaborate on complex clinical cases is great!”
“Boot camp is a unique and valuable learning experience that made a significant and positive impact on my clinical practice. It sharpened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills and deepened my knowledge about CAS. I would highly recommend it to any SLP.”
“Boot camp was the greatest professional experience that I have ever had. It was amazing to be surrounded by such knowledgeable therapists in a safe and supportive learning environment. Go for it! It will change the course of your practice!”
Apraxia Kids is the only source of intensive apraxia of speech education for speech-language pathologists. With your support, we can provide our one-of-a-kind training to more speech therapists across the country.
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