What You Need to Know If Your Child is Starting Speech Therapy – Answers to 5 Common Questions

by Chris O Individualized Education Program (IEP) School Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques State Resources
Image Courtesy of www.regroup.com

If your child is starting speech therapy at school for the first time this year there are likely a lot of questions competing for time in your head. Even though it might feel like you are alone on this journey, the good news is that you’re not the first parent to feel this and there are people there to help you and your child. Start with these common questions that parents like you might be asking. Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – 8 Tips For Protecting Your Kids Against Bullying

by Chris O Parents' Corner School
Image Courtesy of www.adlibbing.org

The start of each school year brings some of the same things year after year – new backpacks, gym shoes, and friendships. However, it can also mean the return of the school bully. While some people might argue that bullying in school is as old as school itself and a rite of passage, studies show that for the victims of school bullying the effects can be devastating. Continue reading →

I Think My Child Needs Speech Therapy – The 5 Most Important Steps You’ll Need To Take

by Chris O Individualized Education Program (IEP) Language Development School Speech Therapist State Resources

 I think my child needs speech therapy – what do I do?

It’s the start of another school year and maybe you’ve got that nagging feeling in your gut: I think my child needs speech therapy. Just because no one else has approached you about this doesn’t mean that you are alone in your thoughts or that you should ignore this parental instinct. If you think your child needs speech therapy there are many steps you can take to work with your child’s pediatrician and school officials. Continue reading →

Break a Leg! Using Theatre to Improve Communication Skills

by Chris O Language Development School Speech Therapy Techniques
Image Courtesy of redtri.com

Sometimes the last thing parents and teachers consider for children with speech disorders is putting them on stage, but it’s time to consider theatre as an amazing opportunity for enrichment that can actually improve communication skills. Whether your child is ready to take on Shakespeare or more content to watch a children’s play at the local cinema, try to bring a little theatre into your child’s life.

Acting for Everyone – Even those Who Need to Improve Communication Skills

What do Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts, and Samuel Jackson have in common with approximately 8-9% of Kindergarten students in the United States? Both groups of people have battled speech impairments. You might not be surprised about the fact that almost 10% of young kids struggle with communication skills, but it is sometimes hard to reconcile that people who rely on their voices (and can earn Oscars in part because of it) were once children who battled speech disorders.  In fact, Samuel Jackson turned to acting because of his speech disorder. As with so many things in life, practice and the repeated opportunities to build skills are sometimes he most effective remedy, and participating in the theatre can have positive impacts on those who need to improve communication skills. Continue reading →

The Art of Communication: 3 Ways to Build Communication Skills

by Chris O Language Development Reading School Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques

 

Image Courtesy of nicadez.blogspot.com

School may be back in session but that doesn’t have to stop you from helping your child develop communication skills outside of school. Whether your child already attends music therapy sessions, is a tactile learner who struggles with verbal communication, or works with an SLP during school for a speech disorder, there are enrichment options you can use with your child. The best part of all is that these are not only effective for developing communication skills, but they can benefit your child’s overall learning development – and be fun on the side.

3 Art Options to Develop Communication Skills Continue reading →

Bring Back Playtime: 3 Games for Speech Therapy Reinforcement

by Chris O Language Development School Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques

 

Much of the most effective learning children do is through play and building speech and language development skills are no exceptions. Parents and SLPs can work together use these 3 easy and creative games for speech therapy reinforcement that get kids moving, imagining, and developing those communication skills.

1. Mystery Shopper for Speech Therapy Reinforcement

Especially great for kids with sensory and tactile needs, you can adapt this game to work with various speech therapy goals. Take a brown paper shopping bag and place 5-10 items inside of it that deal with your specific language goals. For example, if you are working on /s/ sounds, place the following in the bag: Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – Morning Routines Get Kids to School on Time

by Chris O Parents' Corner School

 

Save Time on Morning Routines

Image Courtesy of blog.findnsave.com

The school bus is waiting, but your child still can’t find her missing pink sock and her teeth still need brushing. If morning chaos is the routine that exists in your home, try these tips and tricks for better morning routines to get your kids to school on time.

Morning Routines Start with Bedtime Routines

The best morning routines are those that start with effective bedtime routines. Even though it can be tempting to skip a few steps the night before because the kids are tired (and so are you), creating a plan before the kids ever go to sleep will help everyone get out the door on time the next morning. Continue reading →

Make S.M.A.R.T. Speech Therapy Goals

by Chris O Individualized Education Program (IEP) School Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques

 

Child builds with Olliblocks

Source: ollibird.com

If you’re the parent of a child in speech therapy, you might sometimes feel like you’re up against a wall of resistance. Maybe there are unknowns when it comes to your child’s speech disorder, and your child might be frustrated with the speech therapy routine or homework. As adults it is easier to see the big picture – that improved communication skills are so valuable for the future and worth the effort. For kids, however, speech therapy can be tiring, hard work, and sometimes even a source of insecurity among peers. Help your son or daughter set and reach speech therapy goals using a traditional business model – S.M.A.R.T. – and you’ll find that speech therapy might just get a little easier, and the goals a little closer. Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – Motivation Charts and Goal Setting

by Chris O Parents' Corner School
Motivation Charts for Setting Goals

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Do gold star stickers for good deeds really work? Many families find that motivation charts for everything from homework to daily chores can help reduce the nagging and help kids stay on task. A motivation chart can be an effective tool for teaching your child how to set and reach goals. But if you’re going to use a motivation chart, here are a few golden rules that will help make sure your motivation chart doesn’t turn into a bribery and begging chart. Continue reading →

Keeping Speech Therapy Fun – Tips for Parents

by Chris O School Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques

Families are busy, and sometimes all that busyness means stressed, over-scheduled children who are exhausted from homework, sports, and more. If your child is in speech therapy, he or she might be frustrated, overwhelmed, or even bored with the routine of including speech therapy techniques at home. There are easy ways, however, to help you and your child keep speech therapy fun while still managing the rest of their responsibilities and activities. Continue reading →