Research

Research Symposium July 5-7, 2022

Apraxia Kids is dedicated to advancing innovation through research and education. After postponing in 2020 and 2021, we were excited to hold the third Apraxia Kids Research Symposium in July, 2022. This was the 20th anniversary of our first Symposium held in 2002 in Scottsdale, Arizona with 23 researchers and a few parents and graduate students from all over the world discussing the research approaches and challenges specifically to answer the question of what are the neurological and behavioral markers of CAS for differential diagnosis. As a result of those discussions, a manuscript was printed to document the proceedings.

In 2013, the second Research Symposium was held in Atlanta, Georgia where 40 researchers and clinicians gathered to learn about and discuss “State of the Art” research developments and to make recommendations for future research funding and support. An executive summary was produced from the proceedings to provide the community with current research findings along with research needs, trends and ideas for the future. Between 2013 and 2022, more research has been completed and published than in the past several decades combined; several of which were funded by Apraxia Kids and are reported on the Research Timeline.

The 2022 Research Symposium held in Las Vegas, Nevada in July, prior to the Apraxia Kids National Conference brought together over 50 national and international researchers and clinicians who spent 2 ½ days learning about where previous research has brought us and current research projects in a variety of areas, which culminated in a discussion with the Apraxia Kids board members on what research priorities should be established for the next several years. More details from their recommendations will be presented in the upcoming months.

Research Grant Application

Apraxia Kids continues to emphasize an interest in clinical research projects aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of children with CAS across diverse populations including race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, language, age, and comorbidity. Additionally, Apraxia Kids is interested in early identification of CAS, etiologies of CAS, disparities in service delivery, as well as approaches which include biophysical evidence alongside behavioral evidence. Finally, Apraxia Kids is interested in quality of life research on children of all ages including teens/young adults with CAS or a history of CAS.

There are three different competitions, aimed at Principal Investigators (PIs) at different career stages. In addition to the traditional research grant competition for investigators with research doctorates, there are two competitions for student researchers. The student grant competitions are intended to foster development of research capacity in CAS to ensure a sustained long-term research focus on CAS. The first student grant competition is open to PhD students, and the second one is intended specifically for undergraduate and master’s level students from underrepresented groups. This latter competition is a new initiative by Apraxia Kids in a concrete effort to contribute to diversifying our profession in the area of CAS research. For both student grant competitions, research proposals must focus on relevant aspects of CAS, and must include a mentor with appropriate experience and expertise in CAS to supervise the project.

In all instances and in all potential study areas, Apraxia Kids’ primary interest is in high quality scientific research that, upon completion, will be suitable and acceptable to peer-reviewed publications.

Applications for research grants are currently closed.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

There are a multitude of different treatment approaches available for CAS. Tricia McCabe, Elizabeth Murray and Donna Thomas from the University of Sydney have graciously enabled us to share with you an Evidence Brief on childhood apraxia of speech.

This Evidence Brief reflects the past and current research from Australia in collaboration with researchers and clinicians across the world.  The CAS Treatment Project Log includes research that covers many aspects of childhood apraxia of speech.  We thank these excellent researchers not only for their contributions to our understanding of CAS but also for their generosity in sharing their vital information with others.

Click here to read more about Apraxia Kids Commitment to Quality Information.

Click here to learn how to judge evidence for yourself.

Click here to learn about which program could be good for your child.