Catching Early Signs of Speech Delay

Catching Early Signs of Speech Delay

by Samantha Cardinali Interviews Language Development Speech delay

Parenting is no easy feat, many times with our ever busy lives, the convenience of websites like WebMD seem to be the go-to diagnostic center, rather than the traditional “trip to the doctor’s office.” Deciphering whether or not your child has a speech or language challenge may not always be straightforward. I took the opportunity to sit down at Heights Pediatrics with Dr. Katerina Silverblatt, to address some of the most vital questions parents may ask themselves when it comes to discovering early signs of speech delay.

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Featured Speech Buddies Provider: An Interview with Suzy Hites

by Courtenay M. Interviews Phonological Processing Disorder Speech Disorders Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques
Suzy Hites, MA, CCC-SLP

Suzy Hites, MA, CCC-SLP

We met Suzy Hites, speech-language pathologist, a few months ago and were impressed at the positive attitude she brings to her practice in Livermore, California.  “I love helping my students become better communicators! It is music to my ears when a student tells me, ‘People can understand me now!'”

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We’re heading to ASHA 2013 this week! Stop by our booth (#1713) for live Speech Buddy demos.

by Courtenay M. Interviews News
Image Courtesy of asha.org/events/convention/

Image Courtesy of asha.org/events/convention/

Dear ASHA Attendees:

As an SLP and co-founder of Speech Buddies, I’m thrilled to join more than 7,000 of our esteemed colleagues from all over the world for this year’s ASHA 2013 convention in Chicago. Researchers, clinicians, students and parents of children living with speech and language challenges will come to share their work, absorb new information, acquire new skills, and connect with their colleagues. The theme of this year’s convention is Teamwork: how trained professionals working in concert with their peers, parents and teachers can achieve positive outcomes not possible on an individual basis. We applaud ASHA’s focus on this vital theme and we at Speech Buddies have tailored our entire approach to harnessing the power of collaboration.

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5 Quick Questions for Summer Kick-Start Program’s Facilitator Gordy Rogers, M.S., CCC-SLP

by Gordy Rogers, M.S. CCC-SLP Interviews
Gordy Rogers

Gordy Rogers, M.S., CCC-SLP

Just in time for summer, Speech Buddies University will be hosting an easy online webinar series beginning June 24 designed to keep kids’ speech skills strong over the long break. We asked Gordy Rogers, M.S. CCC-SLP, Speech Buddies Co-founder and Summer Kick-Start facilitator to answer five quick questions about the upcoming session.

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An Interview with our Speech-Buddy: SLP, Blogger and Oklahoma Tornado Survivor Amy Minor

by Holly F. Interviews
heart moore oklahoma

Source: plus.google.com/

Though she is known as a speech pathologist, blogger at Major Speech Pathology Fun and avid fan of Speech Buddies, Amy Minor is also a survivor of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. While many Speech Language Pathologists around the country wrap up their school year, Amy and the others in her district are cleaning up the pieces the tornado left and figuring out how to rebuild. As you might imagine, the tornado left little of the schools, let alone their supplies. Today, Amy tells us a bit about Moore, the recovery, her experience as an SLP in Moore, how to help and why Amy considers Speech Buddies an essential tool kit to keep in the Moore Schools.

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An Interview With Social Language Expert Pamela Ely

by Holly F. Interviews
Ely Center staff

Source: elycenter.com

As a relatively new area to the field of speech and language pathology, the treatment of social pragmatic disorders requires a keen eye and understanding of language from the perspective of more than nouns, articulators and verbs. Social cognitive and social language skills involve the coordination of many skills such as, perspective taking, nonverbal body language, humor, figurative language, conversation skills, and social connectedness.  Today, Pamela Ely, M.S., CCC-SLP shares her clinical experience and passion for this very complex and critical area of speech and language.

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Practical Advice for Parents of an Autistic Child: An Interview with Tim Tucker

by Jacky G. Interviews
The Tucker Family - Raising an Autistic Child

Courtesy: Tim Tucker

Autism can cause a wide range of symptoms, from sensory issues to communication difficulties. Kids with autism often require speech therapy to encourage vocalizations. This week we’re talking with Tim Tucker of Both Hands and a Flashlight about his advice for parents of an autistic child. Tim and his wife, Mary, have two adorable little boys. Jonas (aka J-Man) is 7 and Eli (aka Dale Jr.) is 3 ½ years old. Jonas was diagnosed with autism, and like most parents of an autistic child, Tim and Mary initially struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis. But despite the challenges, Tim advises parents to develop positive affirmations, to embrace the identity of being the parent of an autistic child. Read on to find out Jonas’ speech therapy techniques, and check out Tim’s free e-book, “I Am An Autism Parent.”

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How to Help a Child with Hearing Loss: An Interview with Kristen Johnson

by Jacky G. Interviews
The Johnson Children - Coping with Hearing Loss

Courtesy: Kristen Johnson

For those without hearing loss, lacking the ability to listen to music or enjoy a child’s laughter is almost unthinkable. Many of us take our senses for granted, but what we do if a loved one was suddenly diagnosed with hearing loss? Kristen Johnson of No Small Thing dealt with exactly that when she and her husband found out that one of their sons, Henry, had hearing loss. Although the diagnosis was initially difficult to cope with, Kristen and her family found a way to turn Henry’s condition into an opportunity. As she points out in our interview, there are many other methods of communicating; it just takes a little experimenting to find one that suits your family. For Kristen’s advice and to find out just what, exactly, hearing loss has to do with peanut butter and mustard sandwiches, check out our interview below.

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Attention Parents: Real Advice from the Mother of a Special Needs Child

by Jacky G. Interviews
Laura's Kids on the First Day of School

Courtesy: Laura

This week, Laura of Down Syndrome – Up Up Up and Away! is sharing her family’s story of life with Down syndrome (DS). DS can cause a range of physical and cognitive symptoms, including speech and language delays. Laura’s daughter K has Trisomy 21, which means that there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. Like other special needs children, K has more than proven that she can flourish with the proper therapies and treatments. Not only did K begin reading before she was 2 years old, she also began reading new books by the time she was 3 1/2. Laura also points out that for the typical special needs child, reading is a visual form of speech, and it can positively impact verbal communication.

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An Interview with Jen Krause on Childhood Apraxia

by Jacky G. Interviews
The Krause Kids

Courtesy: Jen Krause

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a neurological motor speech disorder. Children with CAS have difficulty producing sounds and words because their brains cannot properly control the muscle movements that are required for sound. However, with intensive speech therapy, verbalization is possible. Jen Krause of JenKrause.com offers hope of progress for parents of children with CAS. Her son Luke was diagnosed with CAS when he was about two years old and today, he has progressed to the point at which he no longer has a diagnosis of apraxia. Read on to find out Jen’s tips for parents of children with speech disorders. She shares her family’s story of coping with the diagnosis, and Luke’s speech therapist, Elyse Sutherland, discusses the techniques she uses to encourage speech and language development.

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