Singing without a Stutter: Music as a Speech Therapy Tool

by Holly F. Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques
The symptoms of stuttering

Source: ihavesvoice.info

We all know the brain works in mysterious ways, but every so often we are reminded of just how magical it is. This is particularly so when we examine it’s response to music in populations with Language disorders as a speech therapy technique. By now, you may have seen this video of American Idol contestant Lazaro Arbos’ audition. While his rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is astounding enough, watch what happens to his rather severe stutter when he begins to sing:

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Solutions for Holiday Survival with Special Needs Kids

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Holiday Stress with Special Needs Kids

Image source: Thedigeratilife.com

The holidays are an exciting time of year, but for families with special needs children, they can also be particularly stressful. Some children, such as those with autism, cannot easily cope with changes in routine, loud and overbearing relatives, and shopping-crazed Black Friday crowds at the mall. Other kids with articulation disorders and similar speech issues might become frustrated that they cannot communicate well with extended family members. Some families choose to skip the mayhem altogether and take off for a relaxing vacation in Costa Rica. But if Costa Rica isn’t in the cards for your family, consider these solutions for holiday survival with a special needs child.

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The Surprising Twist in the MMR Vaccines and Autism Controversy: Did Jenny McCarthy’s Son Have Autism?

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
MMR Vaccines and Autism - Jenny McCarthy

Image source: Celebitchy.com

Few moms are as polarizing as Jenny McCarthy. Even if you don’t tune in to all the latest happenings in the autism community, you’ve almost certainly heard about the controversy over MMR vaccines and autism. Yes, every week brings yet another scandal, but some controversies simply refuse to die. The possible link between MMR vaccines and autism is one of them. Regardless of which side of the fence you’re on, there’s no denying that Jenny McCarthy is one super-dedicated mommy. Her mission is to bring hope to parents of autistic children.

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Best Speech Therapy Techniques for Children with Cerebral Palsy

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Cerebral Palsy Infographic

Image source: Nursingcrib.com

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a congenital disorder that can cause a wide range of health issues. It is typically diagnosed in infancy or around the time that a child enters preschool. There are three types of cerebral palsy: spastic, athetoid, and ataxic. Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, treatments such as speech therapy can vastly improve the child’s quality of life. The child will most likely require speech therapy on a long-term basis. If your child is diagnosed with CP, consult his pediatrician, speech-language pathologist (SLP), physical therapist, occupational therapist, and other specialists to develop a treatment plan that suits his needs.

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Speech Disorders in Children: What to Do About Dysarthria

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Dysarthria Speech Disorders in Children

Image source: Novamind.com

As a parent, you do whatever you can think of to keep your child safe. You make sure he rides his tricycle with a helmet, you strap him snugly into his car seat, and you even have your mechanic check out every unusual noise to make sure the car is safe. But accidents have a way of happening even when you take every safety precaution. And if your child suffers a head injury, he might also develop one of the many possible speech disorders in children, such as dysarthria.

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Speech Delays in Children: Could it Be Neurofibromatosis?

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Hypochondriac Cartoon

Image source: Someecards.com

If you’ve spent any amount of time researching disorders and speech delays in children, you probably already know how easy it is to acquire a slight case of hypochondria. And if you’re a parent, you may know just how easy it is to become a hypochondriac by proxy. You want the best for your child, so you do some in-depth investigating on WebMD or the Mayo Clinic’s website into every sniffle and sneeze. But sometimes a seemingly innocuous issue like a communication problem really can be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Speech delays in children should be evaluated by a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP). If your child has speech and language problems, and also has other symptoms like multiple birthmarks and skeletal abnormalities, he may also need to be evaluated for neurofibromatosis.

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Does Your Child Need Voice Therapy for Spasmodic Dysphonia?

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Unusual Noises from Car Cartoon

Image source: Memegenerator.net

Unless you don’t drive, unusual noises from your car are probably high up on your list of “Things You Don’t Want to Deal With.” Especially when they are the types of noises that only occur when you’re the one driving it and never when your mechanic checks it out. Just because a problem is intermittent doesn’t mean that you’re imagining it, and the same holds true for voice disorders like spasmodic dysphonia. If your child has spasmodic dysphonia, you may only notice irregular vocalizations occasionally. It’s always best to have a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) evaluate your child if you think there might be a problem. Voice therapy and other treatment methods can help your child if he has spasmodic dysphonia.

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Speech Therapy for Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM)

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Baby with Cellphone Cartoon

Image source: Traverustravelraisesbar.blogspot.com

Communication is so vital for navigating the world around us. These days, pretty much everybody has their own cellphone (or two…) and you can’t walk down the street without bumping into somebody texting or yammering away into their Bluetooth headset. But what if you found yourself suddenly unable to speak? Even worse, what if you could barely breathe? If you had paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM), this scenario would be commonplace for you. Fortunately, speech therapy can help.

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Preventing Voice Disorders in Children

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Close-Up of Child Screaming

Image source: Dontouchmychocolate.wordpress.com

If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably watched or listened to “Mike and Mike” on ESPN. The duo are among the funniest sports broadcasters around, but even the mighty Mike Golic was not immune to something that your child might experience at some point: a voice problem. Golic tried to work on the show this morning, but he was sent home pretty quickly when his voice simply couldn’t handle it.

Everyone comes down with a sore throat every now and then, but what happens when it turns into a voice disorder? We all know that taking vitamin C and other healthy supplements can help carry you through cold and flu season, but how do you prevent voice disorders in children?

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Does Your Child Have Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)?

by Jacky G. Speech Disorders
Child Dressed as Businessman

Image source: Mybanktracker.com

Imagine this. You’re in your office, preparing to make yet another cold call to sell whatever it is your company sells. You dial the prospect’s number and run through the sales pitch in your head. All of a sudden, you can’t deliver it. Your brain knows what you want to say, but your mouth simply won’t say it. All that comes out is a couple of vowel sounds: “Aaa – ooo.” Sounds like a nightmare doesn’t it? This is what children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) deal with every day.

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