Source: themommyproject.com
When it comes to teaching toddlers new words, a hands-off approach might be all right. The results of a new study from the Journal of Applied Science may shed light on how young children learn new words and what parents and therapists can do to help in speech therapy. The results indicate direct for language development in toddlers, explicit instruction might not always be the best for learning new words.
Source: sikids.com
Maybe by now you’ve seen these brothers, Caden and Connor Long, named Sports Illustrated Kids of the year in 2012. What makes them so special is that sibling bond, even though Caden can’t talk. Caden has cerebral palsy and despite speech-therapy, struggles to communicate verbally. But what’s a few words between siblings? To Connor and Caden, they have formed a bond in much more than spoken language. They don’t just bike, run marathons or play soccer. As a team, they complete triathlons together – with Connor pulling or pushing Caden through each event. While a communication impairment can be a struggle for families, it can also bring them together.
Source: eco-smartparent.blogspot.com
Kids (and adults) with special needs in Cupertino California can get up close and personal with nature this weekend, March 5-8 with a three-day Zoo Fest from Via Services. For children in speech-therapy, a chance to get out into the community is the best way to generalize and learn new skills. With Via Services, trips like this one to the zoo provide stimulation for both the mind and body in the great outdoors, away from the distractions of Playstation, Youtube and iPads.
Source:ebookfriendly.com
While the debate about the quality and pros and cons of E-books remains a lively discussion among educators, no one can deny they can be quite a motivating medium. In speech therapy, motivation is an important factor in the success of a lesson. Thankfully, for even the most reluctant or struggling readers, the engaging and interactive iDevice platform can be the push they need to practice site words, spelling, reading comprehension and fluency. Here are 5 great iPad apps for kids that educators, speech therapists and parents should know about:
Source: sheknows.com
There aren’t many times in life when you get a dress rehearsal, especially for families of children with special needs. For children with Autism, in particular, practice and preparation for novel situations (places, people, environments, schedule changes) is a necessary part of life. Both in and outside of speech therapy, children with Autism regularly struggle with transitions, change in routine or surprising events; without proper preparation these children often have behavioral and communication breakdowns resulting in challenges for the whole family. Recognizing the specific difficulty of flying, Boston’s Logan Airport in collaboration with the Charles River Center and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have taken a huge step towards helping children with Autism conquer the airport through their program, Wings for Autism.
