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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1
P1 2lr0959
(PRE–FILED)
By: Senator Reilly
Requested: October 26, 2021
Introduced and read first time: January 12, 2022
Assigned to: Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
A Senate Joint Resolution concerning 1
Apraxia Awareness Day 2
FOR the purpose of commemorating Apraxia Awareness Day on May 14 by encouraging 3
citizens of the State to work within their communities to increase awareness and 4
understanding of childhood apraxia of speech. 5
WHEREAS, Childhood apraxia of speech is an extremely challenging speech 6
disorder, affecting one in one thousand children; and 7
WHEREAS, May 14 marks Apraxia Awareness Day, during which awareness will be 8
raised throughout Maryland about childhood apraxia of speech; and 9
WHEREAS, Childhood apraxia of speech causes children to have significant 10
difficulty learning to speak and is among the most severe speech deficits in children; and 11
WHEREAS, While learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, those with 12
apraxia require early, appropriate, and intensive speech therapy for many years to learn 13
to speak; and 14
WHEREAS, Without appropriate speech therapy, children with apraxia will have 15
diminished communication skills and are also placed at high risk for secondary impacts in 16
reading, writing, spelling, and other school–related skills; and 17
WHEREAS, Negative primary and secondary educational impacts diminish future 18
independence and employment while also challenging the ability to become productive 19
citizens if unresolved; and 20
WHEREAS, Public awareness about childhood apraxia of speech in Maryland is 21
essential for families of children with this neurological disorder and the professionals who 22
support them to receive the needed services for those learning to use their own voice; and 23
2 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1
WHEREAS, Our highest respect goes to the children experiencing this disorder and 1
their families, for their effort, determination, and resilience in the face of such obstacles; 2
now, therefore, be it 3
RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That to 4
commemorate Apraxia Awareness Day on May 14, citizens of the State are encouraged to 5
work within their communities to increase awareness and understanding of childhood 6
apraxia of speech; and be it further 7
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of 8
Legislative Services to the Honorable Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr., Governor of Maryland; the 9
Honorable William C. Ferguson, IV, President of the Senate of Maryland; and the 10
Honorable Adrienne A. Jones, Speaker of the House of Delegates. 11