Congratulations to Samantha Novick, MS, CCC-SLP, for graduating from the Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute (Apraxia Boot Camp)!

Samantha Novick is passionate about amplifying the voices of others and creating connections. She pursues these passions through her work as a speech-language pathologist, owner of a boutique private practice in South Florida, Bridge Therapy, and serving as President of The Friendship Journey, a nonprofit organization that cultivates authentic friendships and experiences amongst people of all abilities. Samantha graduated from the Apraxia Kids Boot Camp in 2021, an intensive training for speech-language pathologists with expertise in treating individuals with childhood apraxia of speech. She has had the privilege of supporting many families on their apraxia journeys alongside her colleagues at Bridge Therapy, and loves watching their tremendous progress and growth. In her free time, Samantha enjoys spending time with family, exploring nature, traveling, reading, and volunteering.

Samantha offers services in Coral Springs, Florida.

Check out Samantha’s Apraxia Kids SLP Directory Listing to learn more.

Apraxia Kids: What are the top 3 things you learned from this training experience?
Samantha: 1) How to read, analyze, and glean pertinent information from research articles. 2) Evidence-based treatment and evaluation methodologies and types of feedback. 3) The importance of finding an SLP community that supports and elevates our shared vision.

Apraxia Kids: How did the boot camp experience change or expand your network of colleagues/friends?
Samantha: Boot camp has been an incredible experience. Our boot camp group, “The Sunshine Sisters,” developed a wonderful bond. We continue to connect regularly, supporting one another with challenging cases, navigating various professional circumstances, and elevating one another as we continue to learn and grow. I am truly grateful for the friendship and support from this wonderful community.

Apraxia Kids: How have you implemented the knowledge you gained at boot camp?
Samantha: Boot camp has instilled the importance of embedding the principles of motor learning into clinical practice as the foundation of treatment for children with CAS. Schemas are created through experience and practice, reinforcing the significance of frequent practice. I have adjusted my recommendations to families accordingly. I am much more intentional in the feedback type and frequency of feedback that I provide, whether it is Knowledge of Performance (KP) or Knowledge of Results (KR), and consider types of practice and distribution of practice. I do my best to ensure enough productions are elicited each session for motor learning. I readily integrate self-rating of productions for increased self-awareness and improvement of feedback loop. Additionally, I consider the Challenge Point Framework when choosing goals and targets. I also now embed literacy goals into all stages of treatment, considering the statistical likelihood that children with CAS are at-risk for literacy deficits, and support these needs early by addressing phonological and phonemic awareness skills to build the foundation for literacy success.

Apraxia Kids: What is an example of how you have been able to (or plan to) use your expertise as a local resource/support for other professionals and/or families since attending the intensive training?
Samantha: I provide free consultations to families of children with apraxia to support them on their journeys. I will be presenting at the Apraxia Kids conference in July and I signed up to be a walk leader for Apraxia Kids.

Apraxia Kids: What would you say to someone considering applying to boot camp next round?
Samantha: I would say “Go for it!” I would tell them boot camp is the best professional enrichment experience I have ever had and that it changed me as a clinician. I would tell them that I learned a tremendous amount of information and found a community of dedicated professionals that have become dear friends. I would tell them that boot camp is rigorous and intensive and to ensure they have a background in treating CAS before applying.