My name is Michelle Smith. I am a student at Marshall University, in Huntington West Virginia. I am currently enrolled as a senior in the undergraduate Communications Disorders program. I will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in May 2003. My plan is to begin the graduate program in the same field the following summer session.
After I complete my graduate studies, in 2005, I plan to work in the public school system here in Cabell County as a speech and language pathologist.

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I would like to take this time to thank my husband for putting up with me throughout my research. I really do apologize for my insanity! I should also mention my kids. They have really had to fight for the computer this semester (I won)! Furthermore I want to extend my gratitude to my group members Amy and Kelly. Not only did they provide great examples in their work, but they also shared their wisdom in suggestions for making my project better. Thank you ladies, you are AWESOME!!
Of course I want to thank Mrs. McComas for granting me the opportunity to expand my brainpower!

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My research question pertained to the different treatment options for children with developmental apraxia of speech. I chose this topic through many painstaking hours of surfing the net. I was given an assignment in my CD 315 class. That assignment was to come up with a topic of interest and complete a foundation question and many essential questions dealing with that topic, and ultimately finding an answer. This topic was to be my focus for the major assignment of developing a multi-genre project. As I searched the web for an idea I kept coming back to apraxia. It became very interesting to me. As time went on I heard other clinicians at school discussing therapy with these kids. The two clinicians I heard talking said that treating apraxic kids happened to be the best part of their practice so far. At that point I made my decision to dive into finding out more and more about DAS.
The multi-genre project (MRP) consists of seven different genres relating to developmental apraxia of speech. I chose to first deal with the emotions of a child with DAS. I felt it was important to understand the feelings associated with the disorder, before receiving the facts. I didn’t want the facts getting in the way of the people behind the disorder. I chose journal entries to do the same. Some examples of the process of suspecting a problem by the family, to receiving a referral and a diagnosis, to therapy options, are all included in my MRP. I included a unifying genre in the end to meet the ultimate goal (that is treatment). It is offered in a power point presentation. I think this presentation is very helpful for a therapist trying to find many different options in treating a client with DAS. I joined a mailing list that focuses on DAS during my research. Many of the parents discover it is hard to find a speech therapist that is very experienced in apraxia. It is important to know all the possible treatment options. Many of these can be found in my power point presention.
I hope my project is helpful to anyone needing to know more about development apraxia of speech.

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