A Shift in Professional and Personal Life: When Childhood Apraxia of Speech & Motherhood collide
When I was in graduate school, if you would have told me that I would be diving deep into the area of Childhood Apraxia of Speech, I would have probably responded, “Why?” At the time, I planned to work in the healthcare field with adults. My areas of interest included stroke, traumatic brain injury, and swallowing disorders. But you know, sometimes areas of interest and passion shift. Life events can change our perspective. While I still very much enjoy working with my adult neuro clients, when my son was diagnosed with suspected Childhood Apraxia of Speech, I felt a strong pull to be the best SLP-Mom I could be. I wanted to learn more, research more, and be able to better help my son as well as other children who are experiencing this tricky motor speech disorder.
I attended my first Apraxia Kids National Conference this past month. Spending two days with fellow SLPs and parents/family members of kids with CAS was emotional to say the least. I think for the first time I cried at a professional speech conference. This conference felt different, this was personal. As the speakers spoke and the parents shared stories of their children, I felt as if these people really got it. They understood how challenging it can be for your child to have difficulty communicating. They understood the tremendous responsibility we feel to find the best services for our children. And they understood that information is power.
It was an excellent conference from a parent and professional perspective. I want to share some takeaways and resources that I cannot help but pass along to you:
Looking for a SLP who has shown understanding of and experience treating children with CAS? Apraxia Kids has a SLP Directory:
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/speech-language-pathologist-directory/
Whether this is your first time or tenth time navigating the IEP process, this is an interactive tools that provides detailed information so you can be your child’s best advocate: https://www.apraxia-kids.org/iep-roadmap/
This Insurance Advocacy Guide provides information, tips, and resources for caregivers to advocate with their insurance company to cover their child’s various therapies: https://www.apraxia-kids.org/insurance-advocacy-guide/
Overall, I hope that you find the best SLP who fits your child’s needs, no matter what their diagnosis or goals may be. I hope that my continued motivation and completion of other training courses will support my goal of being an effective pediatric SLP. And I hope that if we have the pleasure of working with you at Buckeye Speech Path, that we will work together to find the joy in communication, together.
–JoBeth Metcalf, MA, CCC/SLP (Contractor at Buckeye Speech Path, LLC)
