Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman DAWN FANTASIA
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Designates May of each year as Apraxia Awareness Month in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating May of each year as Apraxia Awareness Month in New Jersey.
Whereas, Apraxia is a neurological disorder that affects motor planning and results in the inability to perform certain voluntary movements despite having the requisite muscular and sensory abilities; and
Whereas, Different forms of apraxia are specific to a body parts or are characterized by the inability to complete certain tasks or perform skilled movements on command; and
Whereas, For example, individuals with ideomotor apraxia are unable to mimic gestures or make certain movements on command; individuals with ideational apraxia have difficulty performing learned tasks or executing complex tasks in the appropriate sequence; and individuals with limb-kinetic apraxia have difficulty performing communicative gestures or using familiar tools or objects; and
Whereas, Other function-specific forms of apraxia include speech apraxia, which impairs an individuals ability to perform the movements necessary to produce speech, and gait apraxia, which impairs an individuals ability to walk; and
Whereas, Apraxia may be present at birth or caused later in life by stroke, dementia, brain tumors, neurocognitive disorders, or brain injuries; and
Whereas, Individuals may be diagnosed with one or more forms of apraxia, and some individuals with apraxia experience other comorbidities, such as dementia, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Huntingtons disease, or Parkinsons disease; and
Whereas, The severity of apraxia may vary depending on the underlying cause and the type and degree of daily living activities affected, such as eating, dressing, or bathing, with some individuals requiring long-term assisted nursing care; and
Whereas, In addition to the physical challenges, apraxia may impact an individuals mental and emotional well-being, and is associated with low self-esteem, social anxiety, and depression; and
Whereas, While there is no cure for apraxia, physical, occupational, or speech therapies may assist individuals with apraxia manage their symptoms, improve their ability to perform activities of daily living, and achieve greater independence; and
Whereas, Increasing awareness of apraxia can help ensure New Jerseyans seek appropriate medical care, are promptly diagnosed, and receive therapeutic treatments that may significantly improve their quality of life; now therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. May of each year is designated as Apraxia Awareness Month in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation annually to recognize May of each year as Apraxia Awareness Month and call upon relevant State agencies, organizations, and citizens of the State to observe the day with appropriate awareness activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates May of each year as Apraxia Awareness Month in New Jersey.
Apraxia is a neurological disorder that affects motor planning and can greatly impair an individuals ability to execute certain skilled movements, such as using familiar tools, speaking, walking, or performing daily living activities, such as eating, dressing, or bathing. Apraxia may be present at birth or caused later in life by trauma or disease, such as stroke, dementia, tumors, neurocognitive disorders, or brain injuries. The severity of apraxia may vary depending on the underlying cause and the type and degree of daily living activities affected, with some individuals requiring long-term assisted nursing care. While there is no cure for apraxia, physical, occupational, or speech therapies may assist individuals with apraxia manage their symptoms, improve their ability to perform activities of daily living, and achieve greater independence.
As increasing awareness of apraxia can help ensure New Jerseyans seek appropriate medical care, are promptly diagnosed, and receive therapeutic treatments that may significantly improve their quality of life, it is fitting to designate May of each year as Apraxia Awareness Month in New Jersey. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation annually to recognize May of each year as Apraxia Awareness Month and call upon relevant State agencies, organizations, and citizens of the State to observe the day with appropriate awareness activities and programs.