HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-07-24; 8-e - Apraxia Awareness Day Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 7, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-e
SUBJECT: Apraxia Awareness Day Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Board of County
Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair, Board of
Proclamation County Commissioners, 919-245-
2130
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing May 14, 2024 as Apraxia Awareness Day.
BACKGROUND: Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult
for children to speak. Children with the diagnosis of apraxia of speech generally have a good
understanding of language and know what they want to say. However, they have difficulty learning
or carrying out the complex sequenced movements that are necessary for intelligible speech.
Without appropriate speech therapy intervention, children with apraxia will have diminished
communication skills, and are also at high risk for secondary impacts in reading, writing, spelling,
and other school-related skills. These potential impacts diminish future independence and
employment opportunities and challenge the ability to become productive, contributing residents
if not resolved or improved.
Raising awareness is one of the most tangible ways that communities at large can help children
with apraxia thrive. Collective increased awareness means that children will be diagnosed faster,
resulting in better, earlier intervention. The first Apraxia Awareness Day was celebrated on May
14, 2012. Apraxia Kids is the leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives
of children with apraxia of speech. Additional information is available at www.apraxia-kids.org.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact applicable to consideration of the attached
proclamation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact applicable
to consideration of the attached proclamation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact applicable to consideration of the attached proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
APRAXIA AWARENESS DAY 2024 PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, May 14,2024, marks Apraxia Awareness Day, during which attention will be raised
throughout Orange County, North Carolina about childhood apraxia of speech, an extremely
challenging speech disorder that affects 1-in-1,000 children; and
WHEREAS, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) causes children to have significant difficulty
learning to speak and is among the most severe speech deficits in children; and
WHEREAS, while the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, those with
apraxia require early, appropriate, and intensive speech therapy, often for many years to learn to
speak; and
WHEREAS, without appropriate speech therapy intervention, children with apraxia will have
diminished communication skills,and are also placed at high risk for secondary impacts in reading,
writing, spelling, and other school-related skills; and
WHEREAS, such primary and secondary impacts diminish future independence and employment
opportunities and challenge the ability to become productive, contributing individuals if not
resolved or improved; and
WHEREAS, public awareness about childhood apraxia of speech is essential for families of
children with this neurological disorder and the professionals who support them to achieve the
needed services for those learning to use their own voice; and
WHEREAS, our highest respect goes to these children, as well as their families, for their effort,
determination, and resilience in the face of such obstacles;
NOW, THEREFORE,we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May
14, 2024, is "Apraxia Awareness Day" and encourage residents to work within their communities
to increase awareness and understanding of childhood apraxia of speech.
Adopted this 7th day of May, 2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners