Art Therapy and Speech Therapy

Art Therapy and Speech Therapy

Speech Therapy Techniques
Art Therapy as Speech Therapy

Art Therapy as Speech Therapy. Image source: arttherapywithoutborders.wordpress.com

Sometimes with younger kids, speech therapy doesn’t need to look like a traditional speech therapy classroom regimen. Instead, speech therapy can take on a more creative approach using Art. Yes — Art can be a useful tool to enhance a child’s speech and language development. Whether or not you have a child who needs help with verbal expression or  auditory comprehension, there are excellent art-based activities that your child can do to engage all of his senses. And the best part — art therapy can be done at home! I know for some, even the phrase “art project” evokes a fear of mess and chaos! But, for a child in speech therapy, an art experience may be just what he needs to explore his creative side and improve his verbal and comprehension skills at the same time.
Continue reading

Free Summer Speech Therapy Activity Calendar!

At Home Ideas Parents' Corner Speech Therapy Techniques

Speech Therapy Activity CalendarActivity Calendars!  We’ve all heard of them!  Perhaps your kids even came home with some in their backpacks on the last day of school. Have you checked out our Summer Fun Speech Therapy Activity Calendar? Our team of Speech Buddies SLPs, artists, and creative writers put their heads together to develop an excellent and creative way to practice speech therapy at home during the summer and avoid that “summer slip!”

Continue reading

From Stutter to Superstar: Megan Washington’s Story

From Stutter to Superstar: Megan Washington’s Story

News
Megan Washington

Award-winning singer/songwriter Megan Washington suffers from a stutter. Image Courtesy of ABC.

A multi-platinum singer, two-time ARIA Award winner, and guest judge on The Voice, do you know Megan Washington? As one of Australia’s most famous singer/songwriters, “Washington” as she’s called, is setting stages on fire all across the world. But, did you know that Megan Washington has suffered from a debilitating stutter since she was five years old?  If you have not seen her TEDx presentation, you may have never heard Megan Washington stutter, nor guessed that public speaking was her greatest fear. Her experience, as with many, was that singing therapy for stuttering brought “sweet relief” from her speech impediment. It was the only time she felt her speech was fluent. Washington’s story recently became headline news as she revealed her long-time secret at a TEDx conference in Sydney earlier this year.

“To me, language and music are inextricably linked through one thing. And that thing is I have a stutter.”

Continue reading

Family Road Trip! 6 Activities for Drama-Free Driving.

Family Road Trip! 6 Activities for Drama-Free Driving.

Games and Activities
Summer Road Trip Ideas

Summer Road Trip Ideas. Image source: fairfoodfight.com

Road Trip!  We’re all doing a road trip of some sort this summer! For some, it may be an hour upstate to visit grandparents, and for others, a trip across the country.  For many parents, the thought of hours and hours in the car with pre-school kids creates anxiety. Are you envisioning whining, complaining and tantrums? Well, we have some good news!  With a little planning ahead, these activities can make your family road trips pain-free, meltdown free, a tad bit educational and a whole lot of fun!
Continue reading

Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

News Speech and Hearing Disorders Speech Disorders
Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language. Image courtesy of www.ndtv.com

Whether or not you are a country music fan, you may have heard recently that grammy-winning country singer Randy Travis has been left unable to speak or sing due to a stroke he suffered last year. After his stroke in July 2013, he was able to restore much of his motor functions with physical therapy, but has not regained his speech. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) usually affects one side of the brain. Movement and sensation for one side of the body is controlled by the opposite side of the brain. What does this mean? If a stroke affects the left side of the brain, there will be problems with the right side of the body.

Continue reading