Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

by Courtenay M. News Speech and Hearing Disorders Speech Disorders
Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language. Image courtesy of www.ndtv.com

Whether or not you are a country music fan, you may have heard recently that grammy-winning country singer Randy Travis has been left unable to speak or sing due to a stroke he suffered last year. After his stroke in July 2013, he was able to restore much of his motor functions with physical therapy, but has not regained his speech. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) usually affects one side of the brain. Movement and sensation for one side of the body is controlled by the opposite side of the brain. What does this mean? If a stroke affects the left side of the brain, there will be problems with the right side of the body.

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What to Expect: Your Four-Year-Old’s Speech Milestones

What to Expect: Your Four-Year-Old’s Speech Milestones

by Courtenay M. Language Development Parents' Corner Pronunciation & Lisps Speech Disorders
Your Four-Year-Old's Speech Milestones

Your Four-Year-Old’s Speech Milestones. Image source: teachtofeed.com

When it comes to speech and language skills, every child develops at a different rate. That being said, there are some generally predictable milestones that each child achieves as they grow and learn. It usually takes about 8 years for a child to master all the speech sounds in the English language.

Although there are only 26 letters in the alphabet, there are 44 distinct sounds!

According to Heidi Hanks, M.S.CCC-SLP, founder of Little Bee Speech, and the terrific website Mommy Speech Therapy, one way to determine if your child’s speech is progressing at a normal rate is using what is called “speech sound norms.” According to Heidi, speech sound norms are tools that speech language pathologists (SLP’s) use to help guide them in determining which errors are developmentally appropriate and which errors are not. There are multiple speech sound norms that are currently being used by SLP’s all around the world.

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5 Ways to Encourage the Love of Reading

5 Ways to Encourage the Love of Reading

by Courtenay M. At Home Ideas Language Development Parents' Corner School
Encourage the Love of Reading

How to Encourage the Love of Reading. Image source: besteducationpossible.blogspot.com

Reading is essential. It is the backbone of education. In order for your child to become successful in all subjects of school such as math, science, history and language, he must be able to read. How can we as parents encourage our kids to enjoy reading? Are there ways to improve a child’s reading ability? Yes to both questions. Begin by being a good reading role model, and allowing your children to choose the books they would like to read.  As the late, great Maya Angelou said, “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” Parents and children both can work together to help make reading a rewarding experience.

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Top 10 Most Mispronounced Words and Phrases

Top 10 Most Mispronounced Words and Phrases

by Courtenay M. Hearing and Speech Pronunciation & Lisps
Most Common Mispronounced Words

Most Common Mispronounced Words

As Better Hearing and Speech Month comes to a close, we thought we’d celebrate with a little humor. You may have been speaking English for 15 days, 20 months or even decades, but English is tricky when it comes to certain pronunciations. There are a number of commonly used words in our daily lives that are often mispronounced.

Are you sure that you are pronouncing all of your words correctly?  If you are interviewing for a job, going on a date, or trying to make a good first impression, it’s vital that you are confident in your speech and pronunciation skills. Chances are, you may be mispronouncing at least one of the words below. Alas, it’s not too late to train your brain and tongue to speak each word the right way.  Often, these errors are caused by simply speaking too quickly. Slow down and you may get them all correct!
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Is my Child Ready for Preschool? 10 Step Checklist

Is my Child Ready for Preschool? 10 Step Checklist

by Courtenay M. Parents' Corner School
Is your child preschool ready?

Preschool Ready Checklist. source: www.scholastic.com

Is your child ready for preschool in the Fall? We know that it’s only May, but it’s never too early to assess whether or not your child will be preschool ready come September. And, with Summer fast approaching, there is plenty of opportunity to work with your child to refine his or her basic skills which are often referred to as “school-readiness” skills. All children develop on their own unique schedule! If he’s not there yet, be patient, he will be soon!

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