Welcome to the Sound Abilities Speech Pathology blog! I've been meaning to start this blog for quite a while, so what better time and reason than Apraxia Awareness month?
If you're not a speech pathologist and don't have a family member with Apraxia, you may not have ever heard of it! That's why I'm hoping to spread more awareness about Apraxia this May. 

So, what IS Apraxia?
Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a neurological speech disorder that affects 1-2 children in every 1000. It is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to correctly pronounce sounds and words, even though they understand others and know what they want to say. The difficulty is in getting the message from their brain to their mouth to correctly say the words. Even though it's called 'Childhood' Apraxia of Speech, a child does not just grow out of this as they get older. Fortunately, there are specific types of speech therapy that are well-researched and very effective! 
Apraxia Awareness
Beginning last year, an Apraxia support group based in Western Australia, called Aleia's Aim, led the way in asking landmarks across Australia and other countries to light up blue for Apraxia Awareness Day.
Since Sound Abilities is based on Bribie Island in Moreton Bay, this year I reached out to the Moreton Bay Council and they have agreed to light up landmarks blue this Tuesday, 14th May! 
Moreton Bay - Lighting Up Blue for Apraxia Awareness! 
Here are the landmarks that will be lighting up blue for Apraxia in Moreton Bay:

• Redcliffe Administration Building
• Humbybong Fountain
• Caboolture Administration Building

I'll be visiting these landmarks on Tuesday evening and will share pictures on social media of them lighting up blue for Apraxia Awareness. Please feel free to check them out as well, and if you take any pictures you'd like to share, please send them through to us on Facebook, Instagram or via email at info@soundabilities.com.au. 
I'll be sharing information about Childhood Apraxia of Speech on our social media pages throughout the rest of the month, so please check out our pages if you're interested in learning more! 
If you'd like to learn more about the speech pathology services we offer at Sound Abilities Speech Pathology, please contact us. 
Happy Apraxia Awareness Month!