This is a common question that most parents ask when preparing to start their child in speech, language and/or feeding therapy. And my answer is always the same, “it depends on various factors.” As a parent, this seemingly ambiguous response is frustrating! I get that. But please understand this is the hardest question for Continue reading
AAC
10 Tips To Communicate With Your Nonverbal Child With Autism
There is a well-known quote that speaks to the fact that just because a child cannot physically speak, it does not mean that they do not have anything to say. This is SO true. As a pediatric speech language pathologist, specializing in working with children and families living with autism, I have seen many children Continue reading
“Without a voice, people only see my autism and not me”
Dillon’s Path and Dillon’s Voice were both released by Apple in an effort to share their own Autism awareness & acceptance campaign this April. Of course, they are promoting the use of apple products as communication devices, but as a speech-language pathologist, I 100% support this (and no, I do not earn anything by sharing Continue reading
Giving Children a Voice With Assistive Technology – Part 2
A previous blog discussed the general process for who completes an assistive technology (AT) assessment and what to look for during this process. In part two of this AT series, let’s discuss the next steps for incorporating AT into the child’s school day. If a child qualifies for AT services, the school creates an IEP with Continue reading
Giving Children a Voice With Assistive Technology
A child in the public school setting might benefit from various forms of assistive technology (AT). School-based SLPs should work as part of a team with parents, teacher(s) and private SLPs or other clinicians to determine the best use of AT in school as well as external environments like the home. So what is AT? Continue reading
Will Using Sign Delay My Child’s Speech?
…NO! Simply put, it will NOT delay your child’s speech. It is a misconceived notion that using sign language with your young child will delay their ability to speak. The research shows quite the opposite and is in support of using sign language to help your child become verbal. In other words, sign language can Continue reading
10 Apps For Autism
With the thousands of apps that keep hitting the app store, it can be so overwhelming to know which apps may be good for your little one! Since there are so many studies out there that show the use of an iPad and the various learning apps can be extremely beneficial in supplementing therapy services Continue reading
How To Get iPad Grants and Funding
There are so many children that could benefit from the use of an iPad to help them communicate. Is your child one of them? Is it disheartening when you know it’s just not in the budget? Feeling a bit stuck? If only insurance or medicare would cover a $500 iPad for use as a Continue reading
Repetitive Books: The PERFECT Home Activity For Apraxia Of Speech
Books are often used as a treatment tool in speech and language therapy. But, there is one particular category of books that are highly recommended and beneficial for our little ones with childhood apraxia of speech. So if you have a kiddo with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), or suspected apraxia of speech, keep reading! Continue reading
If You Give A SLP An Ipad
So I have been very into using my iPad this past year in therapy. So much that you would think I was as attached to it as the preschoolers that request it when we start our sessions! I love my iPad but I think the preschoolers love it more 😉 SO, why do I Continue reading