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Cheryl's Way

Here is information as to why I am involved with Children's Apraxia Network/ (and now CHERAB Foundation!) 

Every night, for about two weeks, I surfed the Net, specifically searching for information concerning Children and Apraxia of Speech. I had a current public  school speech caseload that included 4 kindergarten children who presented with severe  delays in the areas of oral motor skill development, unintelligible articulation, and  expressive language delay. None of the children had received speech therapy services  prior to entering Kindergarten. The parents of the children had never heard of  apraxia, they thought their children were late talkers or were stubbornly  refusing to "talk correctly".  

My parents wanted to find out as much  information as they could about Apraxia of  speech. When I found the web-site for The Children's Apraxia Network (CAN), I was  thrilled. I immediately emailed the CAN founder, Lisa Geng. My first meeting was amazing. Upon seeing over 40 parents and professionals meeting to support one another in understanding Apraxia of speech was empowering. At the conclusion of the meeting, I called each of my 4 kindergarten parents to give them the CAN website. They continue to thank me for going that extra mile in  helping them understand how they could help their children become successful talkers.  Three out of four of my kindergarten parents indicated, that they wished they had enrolled their children in an early intervention speech therapy program, or were at least informed that one existed that would help their child.  Although, my parents have not attended a CAN meeting, they continue to visit the website.

At the second meeting I attended, many questions were raised regarding parental rights and educational issues. I found myself providing detailed and accurate answers to many of the questions.

I am not only a New Jersey certificated Elementary Education Teacher, Nursery School Teacher, Teacher of the Handicap, and a Speech Language Specialist with B.S. and M.A. degrees from Trenton State College (now called The College of New Jersey) Trenton, New Jersey, I am a voice for the special needs children I encounter each day in my public school work setting and private educational consultation firm, "A Voice for the Children". The American With Disabilities Act empowers me by recognizing myself as a supporter of wanting the best for the Special needs population. I have given written and public testimony to the New Jersey Dept. of Education regarding Special Education Code changes.

My philosophy for special education is one that coincides with Federal law that states " in accordance with an IEP, related services must be provided based on an individual need, not administrative convenience or the availability of qualified personnel". 

I empower parents in understanding the 14th amendment to the constitution, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA) in order that their children receive the interventions and supports needed to satisfy the federal requirement of a "free and appropriate public education". when parents understand the federal and state special education laws and codes, they become the power source for their children receiving all necessary services to succeed in the home, school, and community.

My involvement with The Children's Apraxia Network allows me the opportunity to help parents on a pro bono basis. It's my way of giving back to a community of dedicated parents who are seeking support in getting the best services for their children.


"I have no special gift. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein.


Cheryl Bennett-Johnson  

Speech/Language Specialist, M.A.

Vice President Children's Apraxia Network

You can email Cheryl 

CHERAB Foundation