My name is Laura aka SLP Mommy of Apraxia, and I’ve been providing speech/language services in the greater Denver Metro Area for 20 years. I received my bachelor degree in Communication Disorders at Metro State University, and my master’s degree in speech/language pathology at the University of Northern Colorado. I am a certified member of the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association. Additionally, I am licensed by DORA Colorado as well as the Colorado Department of Education.
I am passionate about working with children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), following my own daughter’s diagnosis in 2012. I have received awards from ASHA including the Media and ACE award for my work with CAS. Furthermore, I’ve been active in the apraxia community since 2015 involved in many different organizations and businesses supporting children with CAS and their families.
Find me in any of the endeavors listed below
- Founder/Owner of the private practice A Mile Speech Therapy. Providing differential diagnosis and treatment for children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
- Co-Founder of Apraxia-Space cohort. This unique membership only group, offers specialized support for parents and caregivers passionate about supporting their child with CAS.
- Occasionally, I also spread awareness and information on childhood apraxia of speech on a variety of podcasts found here.
- Actively serving on the professional advisory board for The Apraxia Foundation.
- Professional speaker on all topics related to CAS. For a list of previous and current speaking engagements, or to book a speaking engagement, click here.
- Author of Overcoming Apraxia, a book full of information on CAS that’s widely accepted by expert consensus. Numerous undergraduate and graduate programs have made it assigned reading as part of the coursework.
- Co-founder and owner of Parent Partners in Education, a Denver based business specializing in comprehensive learning evaluations for children with dyslexia or suspected dyslexia.
To schedule a consultation, evaluation, therapeutic services, or for speaking arrangements, please contact me at:
lauraslpmommy@gmail.com
(720) 480-4977
Follow me on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SLPMommy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slpmommyofa…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraSmithSLP
I just read the article you wrote, The Problem with School SLP’s. I have worked in all settings in our field with targeting pediatrics within the last 8 years. I made the transition to schools 1 1/2 years ago. I feel like working in the outpatient essentially made me a stronger SLP in the school district. I do miss the direct interaction with adults and “ownership” from parents in the outpatient setting but I know the students in my district really need me. Thank you so much for writing that amazing article. I really needed to read it and put into words how I feel many days and to keep me going!
Thank you for commenting Abby. Keep up the good work! We need our school SLP’s!
Hi Laura! I am so happy i found your blog. I am an SLP as well. I have a son who is turning 2 soon who has suspected CAS. I read that you have a Facebook group for slp mom’s with kids with apraxia. Can I be added to that group? I am doing so much research right now looking into treatment methods for him. it’s very overwhelming and I don’t have much clinical experience with apraxia. Thanks!
Yes for sure! Just search SLP MOms of Apraxia on facebook and you should find our group.
You have a great site. I am a speech language pathologist who wrote the Teaching of Talking, and have educatinal material and mentoring opportunities for parents or caregivers of those with apraxia. Hope we can communicate further. Below is an example if you wish to post.
Mark Ittleman, M.S., CCC/SLP
https://goo.gl/ZGiPaV
Here is an article that will help you understand what to do if you are in a situation where you have questions about speech therapy for apraxia and what to do about it. Apraxia of speech affects both children and adults.
I finally launched my app Sayin’ It Sam and all my Facebook connections couldn’t find it because they were trying to bring it up on their iPhones.
This is something I did not anticipate because I thought that since my market are very young children or kids with autism who do not have iPhones, parents would load it their kids’ iPad.
So, soon, Sayin’ It Sam will soon be available on the iPhone. We are working hard on a new release with improvements to the speech recognition as well.
Stay tuned and I really appreciate all your support and patience and I need your feedback to help me make this app helpful to our kids.
Hello! I have been reading your blog and have a question. My daughter has moderate to severe apraxia (unfortunately with stuttering) she is in 2nd grade at public school. Gets ST 2x week there, plus 1 hour private at home. Read your post about school SLP’s and wondering your opinion public school vs private. Have you noticed any differences for kids with apraxia or speech issues? Trying to figure what the best fit would be.
Holly, could you email me your question? I can talk more in depth that way. lauraslpmommy@gmail.com