Assembly Resolution No. 1167

BY: M. of A. Benedetto

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 14, 2018, as Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Awareness Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 14, 2018, as
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, May 14, 2018, marks the sixth annual Childhood Apraxia of
Speech Day, dedicated to raising awareness of Childhood Apraxia of
Speech, a particularly difficult, persistent, and severe speech and
communication disorder in youngsters; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association
of North America (CASANA) is to strengthen the support systems in the
lives of children with apraxia; this vital organization offers
information and support related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) on
its website; and

WHEREAS, CAS causes children to have extreme difficulty planning and
producing the precise, highly refined and specific series of movements
of the tongue, lips, jaw, and palate which are necessary for the
production of proper speech; it is among the most severe of speech and
communication problems in children; and

WHEREAS, While the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to
most children, those with apraxia endure an incredible and lengthy
struggle; although not life threatening, it is life altering as families
are left to cope with the emotional, physical, and financial challenges
of having a child diagnosed with CAS; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, without appropriate intervention, children
with CAS are at high risk for secondary impacts in literacy and other
school-related skills; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to encourage
insurance providers, schools, and other states to recognize the critical
need to provide adequate speech therapy and other services so the impact
of this disorder can be minimized and that affected children can grow
into productive, contributing adult citizens; and

WHEREAS, Every child should be afforded their best opportunity to
develop speech; with early intervention and appropriate therapy, most
children with CAS will learn to communicate with their very own voices;
and

WHEREAS, These children, as well as their families, deserve the
highest respect of the people of the State of New York for their effort,
determination and resilience in the face of such adversities; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 14, 2018, as
Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day in the State of New York; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.