Break a Leg! Using Theatre to Improve Communication Skills

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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

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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 →

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

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

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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 →

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 →

What Can We Expect from Speech Therapy in School?

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

Special Education 101 and Speech Therapy in School

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Your child is starting speech therapy in school. But what exactly does this mean? The type of services your child will receive in school will depend on many factors. These include your child’s age, the type of speech disorder that has been diagnosed, other learning delays or disabilities, the structure of your child’s school, and more. The two basic forms of speech therapy in schools include in-class (sometimes referred to as push-in services) and separate services (sometimes also known as pull-out services). There are also other forms of assistance that speech-language pathologists can offer to your child. Continue reading →

Board Games for Kids with Speech Disorders

by Chris O Language Development Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques

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Learning and working – when it comes to speech therapy or any other task – can be so much more enjoyable when a little fun is involved. Board games for kids with speech disorders can be inexpensive and easy ways to help your kids practice their speech and articulation skills without making them feel like they are doing therapy homework. Continue reading →

Apps for Adults with Speech Disorders

by Chris O Language Development Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques

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You probably aren’t too surprised to see kids with technology gadgets, using them for everything from gaming, to chatting with friends, to homework. Speech language therapists (SLPs) have been finding that kids who are naturally drawn to tablets and portable devices can benefit from apps that support speech therapy. Kids aren’t the only ones, though. Apps for adults with speech disorders are not only innovative, but give adults and SLPs one more tool in their efforts for clearer communication. Continue reading →

Drooling and Decreased Muscle Tone

by Chris O Language Development Speech Therapy Techniques

Sometimes something that sounds so innocent can be a symptom of a larger issue. Drooling in infants and toddlers is often associated with teething, but can also be the sign of a larger health problem that can affect your child’s speech development.

Drooling and Teething – A Normal Process

When your baby begins to teethe, often around 6 months of age, you will likely see an increase in drool. There are no front lower teeth to hold back the saliva stream, and the body naturally increases saliva in a baby’s mouth to prepare for the healthy eruption of teeth. Saliva has mild antibacterial properties that help to keep your baby’s mouth healthier, and as more teeth erupt the levels of saliva can be expected to increase. Continue reading →

Fear of Public Speaking – Can Speech Therapy Really Help?

by Chris O Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques

Image Courtesy of bestpublicspeaker.com

It is the number one fear, ranking above spiders and even death. Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, affects as many as 75% of the population to some degree. Sometimes also referred to as stage fright, this condition can leave people trembling, sweating profusely, with difficulty breathing, and stumbling through their words. While there are many different treatment options, including behavior therapies and hypnosis, people are also finding relief through various forms of speech therapy. Continue reading →

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