Oakmont Yarn for Apraxia

'Oakmont Yarn for Apraxia' Store Window Display & Fundraiser

Wednesday 29th Apr

OYC will be turning their high-traffic storefront window located in Oakmont, Pennsylvania into an engaging display of apraxia information paired with beautiful blue yarns surrounded by paper apraxia stars. OYC will also be collecting donations in-store, through this virtual fundraiser, and generously sharing a matching donation themselves.

ANYONE can donate in-person at the store in-person or through this virtual fundraiser! Either way you donate you can choose to have your name added to a paper apraxia star and featured in the storefront window display!

*Please fill in the “Name to appear on page” how you would like the donor or apraxia star name to be displayed on your star.

May 5, 2026 – May 31, 2026

Come see the window display in Oakmont, PA!
622 Allegheny River Blvd, Oakmont PA 15139
Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm; Thursday 11am-8pm; Closed Sunday-Monday
https://oakmontyarncollaborative.com/

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Spring Shawl Make-Along

Wednesday 29th Apr

Are you a crafter but not near the shop? That’s okay! You can stitch with us from anywhere! Oakmont Yarn is hosting a Spring Shawl Make-Along this May with two free pattern options available or use any pattern you like. Invite your fiber friends to stitch in public with you this May so when folks ask what you’re making, you can show off your yarn and shawl and raise awareness for apraxia!

May 1, 2026: Cast on your project
May 31, 2026: Share your finished project and tag us!  @apraxiakids  @oakmontyarncollab

Free Patterns available on Ravelry

Crochet Pattern
“Not-Your-Granny's Spring Shawl”
Pattern by Becky from Oakmont Yarn Collaborative
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/not-your-grannys-spring-shawl
Shown in light variegated blue with sparkles because our Apraxia Stars Shine!

 Knit Pattern
“An Italian Spring Shawlette”
Pattern by An Italian Knitter
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/an-italian-spring-shawlette
Shown in navy blue

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What is Apraxia?

Wednesday 29th Apr

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological motor speech disorder in which the child’s brain has difficulty planning and programming the movements needed for speech. The child knows what they want to say, however, the words do not come out correctly. Speech is a motor act just like throwing a basketball, hitting a tennis ball with a racquet, playing a piano, or writing a word with a pencil. In order to do a motor act, the brain must first develop a plan to execute, send the plan to the muscles to move, and then the muscles move and the act is carried out.

 

Key Characteristics of Apraxia:

-            Inconsistent errors when saying consonants and vowels in syllables or words over repeated trials or as the productions become longer and more complex. So when saying a new word they do not already know how to say correctly, it does not always sound the same in repeated productions. There also may be some sounds that the child can produce in one word but not in another, or at the end of the words but not beginning.

-            Coarticulation is when we string sounds together in words in connected speech and is a challenge for children with apraxia so their speech may have inappropriate breaks or pauses or sound choppy with lengthened and disrupted coarticulatory transitions between sounds and syllables.

-            Inappropriate prosody, or the rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns we use while speaking. Inappropriate prosody can cause speech to sound flat or monotone, or have too much variability in the tone, or incorrect stress in words and sentences.

 

Additional Characteristics of Apraxia:

-            Difficulty producing vowels correctly, or only able to say a few consonants and vowels, or might pronounce them incorrectly.

-            Speech sound development may not follow a typical development pattern to peers, developing some sounds faster or slower than peers.

-            More trouble on longer words or utterances than saying more simple words or sequences of sounds.

-            May speak slower or faster than typical.

-            Difficulties copying movements not related to speaking like sticking out the tongue, smiling, blowing a kiss, or puffing out cheeks (i.e., oral apraxia).

-            A child with CAS may not have babbled as much as typical children, started to speak late, or lose words that they have learned.

 

Learn more at apraxia-kids.org

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About Apraxia Kids

Wednesday 29th Apr Apraxia Kids is the longest-standing, leading international nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech by educating professionals and families; facilitating community engagement and outreach; and investing in the future through advocacy and research. Apraxia Kids is working towards a world where every child with apraxia of speech reaches their highest communication potential through accurate diagnosis and appropriate timely treatment. Share

About Oakmont Yarn Collaborative

Wednesday 29th Apr

Oakmont Yarn Collaborative (OYC) is a women-owned local yarn shop in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. In addition to a beautiful yarn selection, OYC offers in-person classes, stitch groups, project assistance, notions, and events while building an accepting, inclusive community for knitters, crocheters, and all fiber artists and crafters of all abilities!

Thank you to OYC owners, Becky and Yasmine, for supporting Apraxia Kids and apraxia stars everywhere!

Learn more at oakmontyarncollab.com

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