Three years. Four speech practices. One diagnosis that should have come much sooner.
The Problem
Over the past 20 years, a significantly increasing number of children have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), many leading to a child being non-verbal. As the next step following an ASD diagnosis, parents are sent to a general speech language pathologist that is typically not trained in motor-planning speech disorders. Due to a global lack of knowledge and resources on Apraxia. many families spend years stuck in general speech therapy for Non-verbal Autism, which sadly looks nothing like the tailored, specialized therapies needed to treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
Certification Time and Expenses: According to the Prompt Institute, the average cost for the tuition alone for an SLP to become Prompt Certified ranges from approximately $1,775- $2,175. These costs do not include airfare or long-distance travel, hotel accommodation, meals, rental cars or other transportation, several days off work, or childcare, if applicable.
According to the Prompt Institute, certification alone currently takes over five years
Once Speech Language services begin, however, there is a devastating missing piece of the puzzle. The overwhelming majority of Speech Language Pathologists begin generalized speech treatment for non-verbal Autism. The problem here is that the average Speech Language Pathologist practice is not equipped with general resources needed to identify the possibility of Apraxia or various other speech motor planning disorders. With motor-planning speech disorders off their radar, Speech Language Pathologists often tragically miss red flags that would result in referring the child to a motor planning speech specialist for an official diagnosis and to begin the lengthy, intense therapies to treat Apraxia and other motor planning speech disorders. These are therapies such as Prompt Therapy, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), or various other tactile-kinesthetic therapeutic approaches to treat Apraxia. Needless to say, the common Speech Language Therapist’s approach used to treat Non-Verbal Autism is nowhere near as complex and time consuming asthe proven tactile-kinesthetic therapies used to treat Apraxia.
Levi’s Story
Levi was officially diagnosed with Autism Level 3 when he was 2 1/2 years old. He spent over three years in speech therapy for Autism before anyone even mentioned Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). I knew there was something deeper going on, and we bounced around from therapist to therapist, seeing 4 different SLPs during this time. When we finally got the right diagnosis, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the other families in therapy for “Non-Verbal Autism” who have not even heard of Apraxia and are still waiting for answers.
Our Vision
The mission behind No Child Should Have to Wait is for every SLP across the nation to have the ability to easily identify Childhood Apraxia of Speech within the first month of speech therapy for each child being treated for “Non-verbal Autism”.
Year 1: Pilot with 10 – 20 speech practices
Year 2: Expand within one state
Years 3-5: Build a national network of partner practices.
Long-term: Make Apraxia awareness part of standard pediatric speech language practice across the country.
Our Approach
At No Child Should Have to Wait, we are not trying to create more Apraxia specialists. We are trying to make every Speech-Language Pathologist more confident in recognizing when Apraxia should be considered.
Tier 1: Awareness Partners
- A local speech practice joins the No Child Should Have to Wait network
They receive:
- Parent education materials
- Information on the early signs of Apraxia
- Screening resources
- A comprehensive directory of Apraxia Specialists for referrals
- Quarterly newsletters with updates and research highlights
Tier 2: Education Partners
- Practices commit to additional learning
- Speech Therapy practices complete approved continuing education concepts on Apraxia
- Participate in webinars
- Attend virtual workshops
- Learn how to identify red flags and when to refer to a specialist
The goal isn’t mastery, it’s increased confidence
Tier 3: Excellence Partners
These practices go further
- Establish designated Apraxia specialists with advanced training
- Participate in mentorship with SLPs
- Consult on difficult cases
- Help pilot new educational tools
- Serve as regional leaders
Future Expansion
Our long-term vision is to eventually expand from just partnering with SLP practices to also:
- Pediatricians
- Developmental Pediatricians
- Early Intervention Programs
- Universities that train future SLPs
- Children’s hospitals
- Autism organizations
- Parent support groups
Imagine a map of the United States.
When No Child Should Have to Wait officially launches
There are 10 partner practices
Five years later…
There are 500
Ten years later…
There are 2,000
The Solution
One day, somewhere far beyond the scope of this Non-Profit Organization, a parent takes their two-year-old to a local speech clinic. No longer than one month after seeing this patient, The SLP says, “I think this child may have Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). I’d like to get them connected with a specialist.”
That parent has no idea who I am.
They are likely unaware of Levi’s story or even this website
They will never know how many tears it took to build that network.
Because they didn’t have to wait.
Resources
Parents:
Apraxia Kids
https://www.apraxia-kids.org/
(CAS) Diagnosis & Treatment
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-apraxia-of-speech/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352051
(CAS) Symptoms & Causes
Speech Language Pathologists
ASHA Practice Portal: CAS
An evidence-based clinical resource for SLPs that covers assessment, differential diagnosis, and intervention.
https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/childhood-apraxia-of-speech
Donors
What Your Gift Makes Possible
- Helps provide educational materials to one community speech practice
- Supports training resources that help clinicians recognize the signs of childhood apraxia of speech sooner.
- Helps expand partnerships and educational initiatives that bring earlier recognition resources to more communities.
We believe every dollar entrusted to us should move one more child closer to the right diagnosis, the right therapy, and the right future.
Finding Hope
If you’re here because you’re worried because your Autistic child still isn’t talking, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. Many families have walked this road before you. Whether your child is ultimately diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech or another communication disorder, there are answers, there are skilled professionals, and there is hope.
Contact
No Child Should Have to Wait
Founder: Claire Ostrander
Email: claireostranderKSU@gmail.com
Because no child should have to wait for the words that change everything.
No Child Should Have to Wait 