The ABC’s of Stuttering in Children

by Courtenay M. Articulation Disorders Language Development News Parents' Corner Speech Disorders Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques

 

What is causing my child to stutter and how long will it last? Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

What Causes Stuttering and Can It Be Fixed?  Image Courtesy of Shutterstock

Stuttering is a speech disorder in which words, sounds or syllables are repeated or last longer than normal. Stuttering, also called stammering or disfluency, causes a break or a pause in the flow of speech. Young children may stutter when they are first developing their speech and language skills. The stuttering occurs when their speech skills cannot keep up with what they are trying to say. Stumbling over words or speech affects about five percent of children, and generally lasts for several weeks or several years.  Most children outgrow this stuttering phase within their first four years.

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5 Communication and Speech Therapy Strategies on the Go

by Chris O Language Development Reading Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques
Speech Techniques on the Go

Image Courtesy of blog.europcar.com

Sometimes it can feel like life is so busy that we have to schedule time just to sit and breathe. So how can we fit in the extra practice and support our kids need for building speech skills? We have to make the most of communication and speech therapy strategies on the go – even in small bits and pieces. Talk with your child’s SLP about ideas, and see if some of the following can help you and your child make the most of your time on the move. Continue reading →

Don’t Talk With Your Mouth Full! Building Communication Skills at the Dinner Table

by Chris O Language Development Speech Therapy Techniques

 

Image Courtesy of www.nashvilleparent.com

Eating together as a family has been shown to improve academic scores for kids, build stronger family relationships, and contribute to healthier eating habits. You can use the dinner table, too, as a centerpiece for building communication skills with your kids. Continue reading →

Boost Communication Skills: 10 Minute Bedtime Routines

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

If you’re a parent, you’re busy. Between the homework, extracurricular activities, and squeezing in time for friends, it can seem challenging to find time to work on those speech and communication skills. To make the most of your time in your busy schedule, try some of these 10 minute bedtime routines and activities that build those skills and help you connect with your child for a few minutes before bedtime. 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 →