06/16/2026
Mikey Akers, from , has been recognised in the with an MBE for services to special educational needs.
Mikey, 25, lives with the lifelong, neurological speech disorder, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), previously known as verbal dyspraxia.
Louisa, Mikey’s ‘proud’ mum, told : “He was diagnosed with CAS when he was just 2 years old. Growing up with CAS was a lonely and isolating experience, as Mikey never met anyone else with the diagnosis, so at the age of 13, he decided to set up a page, Mikey’s Wish - Verbal Dyspraxia Awareness https://www.facebook.com/share/1bz1i7ysiS/?mibextid=wwXIfr, and share his story in the hope of ensuring that no other family would feel as alone as his.
“Due to his speech, language and communication needs, Mikey also struggled in school so he started fundraising to support children in schools with CAS and SEND. Donating more than £20,000 to his local primary school over the years.
“Mikey has also travelled to America to talk at the Apraxia Kids National Conference four times to give parents hope for their child’s future, he has given talks in schools, at SEND Conferences, head teacher conferences and he is an ‘expert by experience’ at Birmingham City University where he gives talks to student speech and language therapists.
“In 2022, Mikey started working with his MP, Saqib Bhatti, and the RCSLT to raise awareness in parliament. Mikey tabled a petition calling for more investment in speech and language services that was debated in January 2025 and from that he had a meeting with Stephen Kinnock (Health and Social Minister at the time) who promised Mikey and the ‘Invest In SLT’ team an action plan on speech and language.
“Mikey also founded the registered charity, Mikey’s Wish Foundation, where Mikey and the team of trustees are improving the lives of people with childhood apraxia of speech by providing resources, holding events to bring people together, supporting children in school and helping them access the essential support.
“When Chris Kamara was diagnosed with acquired apraxia of speech, Mikey and the Mikey’s Wish Foundation trustees supported Kammy and he then agreed to become the charity’s patron.
“He does all this alongside working full time as a child specific teaching assistant at his local school, supporting children who like him have additional needs.”
