CHAMP Camp Day 1

This year's CHAMP (Childhood Apraxia and Motor Planning) Camp was appropriately themed....Superhero Training ;)

Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech from all over the country joined together for a fun filled 4 days of learning at GWU's Speech and Hearing Clinic. 

Here is the Amazing Abby and our Super Luke. She did a phenomenal job preparing for Luke and took note of his interests, strengths, learning style and sensory needs.

It was a busy day, so this visual schedule helped.  (whole group, small group, individual therapies, art therapy,

Zumba and parent consults)

Individual speech sessions focused on speech, language and literacy goals twice a day.

And after a morning of camp, we played hard...taking in all of DC's museums and landmarks.

The Building Museum was a big hit with both my boys.

First day of CHAMP in DC was a success for our little superhero.

Testing and Touring

Thank goodness this kid is so cute. 

Here he is posing, styling and profiling like a little print model.

Escalator rides to and from the metro.

Refusing to sit and wanting to be a big guy, like his daddy.

Testing at George Washington University's Speech and Hearing Clinic the day before CHAMP camp starts 

Then we were off to spend the day at the zoo.

Up close and personal in the Ape House

Riding the carousel all by himself and meeting up with a fellow CHAMP friend from last year.

The seals were definitely THE highlight of the zoo trip for the boys...

And the highlight of the day for me....seeing these boys pick up right where they left off over a year ago.

Road Tripping to Washington

Pictures can be so deceiving. The ones I took certainly are ;) It was a heck of a long trip that started and continued with all those questions most parents loathe hearing. The thing about apraxia is that you appreciate all of those sounds, syllables, and words that are strung together to formulate and express their thoughts. We choose to smile, laugh and basically "bless it". Because after all, for these words we prayed! 

And 12 plus hours after we began this road trip, we were there. Back in Washington DC and back on the GWU campus. 

Day 2 CHAMP...Parent Education

It's our second summer attending CHAMP camp at GWU. One of the things that sets CHAMP apart from other camps is the parental education component that happens daily while the kiddos are creating masterpieces in art therapy and getting their groove on in Zumba.

I was thrilled to be asked by Jodi Kumar to lead one of the sessions during the parent education time on Day 2.  It was an informal discussion where parents and caregivers discussed therapy, treatment, grants, apps, and pretty much anything apraxia related. The families we have met through CHAMP are absolutely amazing and equally as inspiring. 

Intensives always seem to be a big question from others. While I have blogged about going to the KCC, STAR, and FDH; I really haven't explained them in depth. I think the main reason I haven't, is because I am so emotionally, physically and spiritually spent after such experiences.