Back to School: Getting the Most Out of Open House

by Jacky G. School
Parents at an Open House

Image source: Northescambia.com

As your child heads back to school, there are a few things you can do to encourage his academic success. It’s always a good idea to review your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to make sure he’s getting the speech therapy and other help that he needs. Meeting with his new teachers and his speech-language pathologist (SLP) will ensure that everyone is up-to-date. Most educators welcome parental involvement. To that end, schools across the country will be hosting Open House nights in the next week or two. The format for an Open House night varies widely depending on the school. A small preschool’s Open House is a great time to chat with the teacher. In contrast, you might not even get the chance to exchange names during an Open House for a very large high school. Networking is particularly important for parents of special needs kids. Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your child’s Open House night.

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Apps for Beginning Readers

by Jacky G. Language Development
Children Reading at a Nursery

Image source: Guardian.co.uk

Despite technology having taken over the world, books are undoubtedly the foundation of education. Your child can be inspired by a book about a ballet dancer’s hard work to perfect her craft. Or he could broaden his horizons with a book about conservation efforts in the National Park Services. But it takes a lot of hard work and effort for your child to learn how to read in the first place. And children with a speech or language disorder may need a little extra help. So despite books being the gold standard of education, your child’s efforts to learn to read might benefit from a boost from technology. This back-to-school season, help your child get ready for school with some kid-friendly apps for beginning readers. Encouraging reading as a regular habit early in life can not only bolster his speech and language development, but also accelerate his academic progress.

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Paying for Hearing Aids

by Jacky G. Hearing Loss
Empty Pockets

Image source: Finetunedfinances.com

There’s no denying that we’ve been through some difficult economic times lately, with no real end in sight. Families across the country and worldwide are worried about everything from their grocery expenses to their car payments. Families of children with speech disorders and other special needs face the additional burdens of financing speech therapy sessions, occupational therapy sessions, and anything else that the child needs to succeed. If you have a child with hearing loss, you probably already know how expensive hearing aids are. One hearing aid can cost from $1,000 to $6,000. If your child has hearing loss in both ears, you can multiply that figure by two. And don’t forget about repairs and replacement costs. Check below for some resources that may help you pay for your child’s hearing aids.

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Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Speech Therapist This Fall

by Jacky G. Speech Therapist
Child Going Back to School

Image source: Essentialbaby.com.au

Children tend to approach the back-to-school season with a mix of apprehension and excitement. Your kidling might be enthusiastically embracing his brand-new sweaters that allow him to dress up like a pint-sized Jake Gyllenhaal, but at the same time he’s a little nervous about meeting his new teacher and navigating the school hallways. Parental viewpoints are remarkably similar. We might embrace a more structured schedule and we’re eager for them to explore the world around them, but we’re a bit nervous, too. This is especially true if you’re the parent of a child with special needs, like a speech disorder. Children with special needs often have a more difficult time with transition periods. It’s a good idea to chat with your child’s speech therapist about his needs as he enters a new grade. Consider it like a check-up. Use the following questions as a focal point for your conversation with the speech-language pathologist (SLP).

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Speech Therapy Evaluations: What Do They Mean for My Child?

by Jacky G. Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Kids Boarding School Bus

Image source: Eagleharborva.com

The back-to-school season is an exciting time for families, whether your child is boarding the school bus for the first time or he is a returning student. Your child’s teachers and the other members of the school staff are responsible for more than just his education and feeding him a healthy lunch while he’s at school. They are also responsible for identifying the possible signs of a speech disorder or other issue, such as autism or Fragile X syndrome. Your child’s teacher or his pediatrician might refer him to the agency that is responsible for special education in your state. This referral means that it is recommended that your child undergo a speech and language evaluation. You do have the right to refuse, but if your child does need extra help, an evaluation is the first step in that direction.

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