Overcoming Apraxia – book release
Almost seven years ago to the day, before my daughter Ashlynn’s 3rd birthday, I received news so significant, my life has never been the same. Though devastating at the time, the life lessons I have learned from it have far outnumbered any loss.
What was this news?
My daughter Ashlynn was diagnosed with one of the most severe neurological speech disorders in children. It is called “childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).
Not only was this diagnosis devastating to hear as a parent, I was also a practicing speech/language pathologist and the diagnosis flew me into a tailspin. Reeling that I didn’t know enough about apraxia, I threw myself into education.
Overcoming Apraxia is the culmination of this seven year journey.
There has been hard ache, triumphs, incredible highs (like meeting famous UFC and WWE super star Ronda Rousey who had CAS) twice and desperate lows (bullying, financial cost of therapy, the toll on the family).
Through it all though, Ashlynn maintained a positive attitude, incredible resiliency, kindness and bravery that I have never witnessed firsthand in another human being.
Overcoming Apraxia is this story. Interspersed throughout are also professional definitions, advice, and tips and tricks for parents and professionals that I utilize in my professional practice. I cover topics such as: comorbidities, financial cost, the effect on siblings, advocacy, educational concerns, genetics, specialists and of course, Ashlynn’s story to success.
Ashlynn and I are excited to share this story with you. Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z1745GZ
Laura Smith, M.A. CCC-SLP is a 2014 graduate of Apraxia Kids Boot Camp, has completed the PROMPT Level 1 training, and the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP). She has lectured throughout the United States on CAS and related issues. Laura is committed to raising and spreading CAS awareness following her own daughter’s diagnosis of CAS and dyspraxia. She was the apraxia walk coordinator for Denver from 2015-2019, and writes for various publications including the ASHA wire blog, The Mighty, and on a website she manages slpmommyofapraxia.com. In 2016, Laura was awarded ASHA’s media award for garnering national media attention around apraxia detailing her chance meeting with UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, and also received ASHA’s ACE award for her continuing education, specifically in the area of childhood motor speech disorders. Currently, Laura is a practicing SLP specializing in apraxia at her clinic A Mile High Speech Therapy in Aurora, Colorado.