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2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> APRAXIA AWARENESS DAY 2024 PROCLAMATION <br /> WHEREAS, May 14,2024, marks Apraxia Awareness Day, during which attention will be raised <br /> throughout Orange County, North Carolina about childhood apraxia of speech, an extremely <br /> challenging speech disorder that affects 1-in-1,000 children; and <br /> WHEREAS, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) causes children to have significant difficulty <br /> learning to speak and is among the most severe speech deficits in children; and <br /> WHEREAS, while the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, those with <br /> apraxia require early, appropriate, and intensive speech therapy, often for many years to learn to <br /> speak; and <br /> WHEREAS, without appropriate speech therapy intervention, children with apraxia will have <br /> diminished communication skills,and are also placed at high risk for secondary impacts in reading, <br /> writing, spelling, and other school-related skills; and <br /> WHEREAS, such primary and secondary impacts diminish future independence and employment <br /> opportunities and challenge the ability to become productive, contributing individuals if not <br /> resolved or improved; and <br /> WHEREAS, public awareness about childhood apraxia of speech is essential for families of <br /> children with this neurological disorder and the professionals who support them to achieve the <br /> needed services for those learning to use their own voice; and <br /> WHEREAS, our highest respect goes to these children, as well as their families, for their effort, <br /> determination, and resilience in the face of such obstacles; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE,we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May <br /> 14, 2024, is "Apraxia Awareness Day" and encourage residents to work within their communities <br /> to increase awareness and understanding of childhood apraxia of speech. <br /> Adopted this 7th day of May, 2024. <br /> Jamezetta Bedford, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />