Agenda 05-07-24; 8-e - Apraxia Awareness Day Proclamation

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2 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