Ogma’s Post

Engaging children in online speech and language therapy can be easier than you think! 🗣️💻 With the right tools and strategies, teletherapy can be incredibly effective and fun for young clients. From interactive games to real-time parent coaching, there are countless ways to boost engagement and motivation. Curious about how to make the most of teletherapy? Check out our latest blog post where we share practical tips that can transform your sessions. 🚀 👉 https://lnkd.in/eZwcwgCg #SpeechTherapy #Teletherapy #SLP #OnlineTherapy #Parenting #ChildDevelopment

Is it functional to work on parts of speech? Is sentence diagramming useful? How do we improve word-retrieval in kids with developmental disabilities, and is it similar to what we’d do for an adult with a brain injury? How can we make therapy academically relevant and functional beyond just getting a good score on a standardized test? I invited speech-language pathologist and Language Therapy Advance Foundations student Katy Wyatt to the show to share answers to these questions. If you’re a Language Therapy Advance Foundations student, and you want some practical ways to use the tools I’ve given you, you’ll really enjoy this interview. Katy Wyatt graduated from California State University, Los Angeles in 2017, with a Masters of Arts in Communication Disorders. Katy is a board-certified cognitive specialist, and has also been certified in the SOS approach to feeding. Katy currently works in the schools full time with Kinetic Physical Therapy and Wellness; she works with students to improve their language, articulation, and fluency skills, develop alternative means of communication, and improve their social and academic functioning. In this conversation, we discuss: ✅The parallels between therapy for aphasia and child language disorders. ✅Why therapy focused on vocabulary and background knowledge can ALSO address executive functioning skills like the ability to self-question, generate and evaluate ideas, and plan/executive them. ✅Parts of speech and sentence diagramming: How to embed this kind of work into structured but contextualized activities. ✅Syntax as a vocabulary skill: How to help kids understand what words MEAN and what words DO. ✅Why it’s impossible to define what vocabulary skills are “age-appropriate” at each grade level; and how to reframe the way you think about scaffolding across grade levels and varying student needs. ✅Generalization: How to focus on explicit instruction of content and strategy in direct therapy while ALSO giving students retrieval tools they can use outside sessions. You can listen to the entire episode here: https://lnkd.in/gbQNywzV

In the context of neurodiversity affirming practices in speech language pathology, it’s concerning to see a trend where some therapists prematurely conclude that a child with autism has reached their limit in language acquisition, labeling it as an unchangeable aspect of their neurodiversity. However, isn’t our role as Speech Language Pathologists to empower these children to express themselves, advocate for their needs, and navigate life’s complexities with confidence? Embracing neurodiversity means recognizing and celebrating each child’s unique strengths and interests, but it should also involve pushing boundaries—gently challenging them while following their lead. This balance between support and challenge is the essence of effective speech and language interventions. It’s not about settling for limitations but about fostering growth in a way that is both respectful and ambitious. After all, our goal is to help every child find their voice in a world that often speaks a different language. #speechtherapy #speechtherapymemes #speechpathology #slp #slplife #slp2be #speechtherapist #speechtherapist #speechpathologist

One of my top success factors when it comes to speech therapy for children: The level of involvement from the parents.   The results of more engaged vs less engaged parents are substantial.  With that in mind, I really advocate for parents to play an active role in their child’s speech therapy. One highly effective approach is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). ❓What is PCIT? PCIT is a therapy designed to enhance the quality of the parent-child relationship and improve children’s communication skills. It focuses on building strong, positive interactions between parents and their children, creating a supportive environment for language development. 👉 Principles of PCIT: 🔹 Positive Reinforcement: Encouraging and praising the child's attempts to communicate, boosting their confidence. 🔹 Responsiveness: I will also work with parents and teach them how to respond promptly and appropriately to their child’s communication, which helps develop a sense of security and motivation. 🔹 Modeling: Demonstrating effective communication strategies for parents to emulate, helping children learn by example. 🔹 Consistency: Establishing regular, structured interactions to create a predictable and nurturing environment. ➕ Benefits of PCIT: 🔷 Strengthened Bond: By engaging in PCIT, parents and children develop a stronger, more positive relationship, which is foundational for effective communication. 🔷 Enhanced Communication Skills: Children often show significant improvements when they receive consistent, positive reinforcement and responsive interactions. 🔷 Empowered Parents: Parents gain valuable skills and confidence in supporting their child's speech and language development, making them active partners in the process. 🔷 Reduced Stress: A more positive parent-child relationship can lead to reduced stress and frustration for both parents and children (a huge bonus, in my opinion!). Less frustration and stress lead to more consistency in speech therapy activities, which further helps with development. Interested in learning more about PCIT or have questions? Reach out!  ___________ 👋 I’m Jessica, a Speech Language Pathologist and founder and CEO of EasySLP. We provide affordable, online speech therapy services to treat a wide range of communication disorders.  🌟 Interested in learning more about speech therapy and EasySLP? Follow for more insights, connect, or DM me!

Are you familiar with the feeling of being overwhelmed by noise and struggling to focus? 🤯 For individuals with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), this is a daily challenge 🗣. So, what is APD? 🤔 It's a neurological condition that affects the brain's ability to process auditory information, making it difficult to understand and interpret sounds, speech, and music 🎵. Who can diagnose APD? 🤝 Audiologists play a crucial role in diagnosing APD through specialized assessments 💡. Collaboration with educators, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists is essential for effective support 🤝. Did you know that APD often co-occurs with learning disabilities like Dyslexia 📚, ADHD 🤯, and Language Processing Disorder 💬? Individuals with APD may struggle with phonological awareness 🗣, reading comprehension 📖, and language development 📚. Supportive strategies can make a big difference 🎉: - Multisensory instruction and learning 🎨 - Assistive technology like text-to-speech software 🖥 - Accommodations like extra time and quiet environments 🕰 - Collaboration between educators, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists 🤝 By recognizing the connection between APD and learning disabilities, we can provide comprehensive support and help individuals reach their full potential! 🔓 #AuditoryProcessingDisorder #LearningDisabilities #SupportingChildren What strategies have you found helpful in supporting individuals with APD? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below! 💬

My unfiltered thoughts on the current state of Speech and Language Therapy. Sadly the lack of early intervention has I believe led to our caseloads becoming increasingly complex. 14 years of austerity and I’m seeing children at age 16 who are diagnosed autistic / adhd etc and haven’t been seen by SLT for years. I’m attending tribunals for children who are scoring on the first percentile and have huge functional gaps in their communication and I’m faced with SLTs who are arguing that the solution is Lego Therapy + Zones of Regulation. Sadly most SLTs I face have minimal experience of seeing the actual impact of SLT. SLTs will post and tweet about the importance of AAC; what functional SLT looks like and neuro affirming SLT approaches but then stand up in tribunals and argue that the teaching assistant should do everything and that 1 hour per term of direct SLT is adequate to meet a child’s needs. If you don’t know from experience that SLT has a huge impact then you won’t have the passion to fight commissioners for more SLT funding. Conversely if, through not a lack of years of experience but a lack of a RANGE of experience, all you’ve ever known is a consultative approach then you’ll honestly believe that that’s the right approach for every child you come across. We desperately need SLTs with experience of therapy working back in the NHS and leading teams so that they can prove to their colleagues that the consultative approach isn’t a one size fits all but the product of inexperience due to said austerity. Rant over!

Our speech-language pathologists at Square Peg evaluate and treat infants, children and adolescents with a variety of speech, language and swallowing problems. Our speech language pathologists(SLP), are focused on helping children unlock their full potential. We help improve issues with articulation, voice, fluency & language with your child. Our overall focus is to prevent, evaluate, identify, and treat any speech, communication, language, and/or swallowing disorders a child may possess. Disorders such as apraxia of speech, stuttering, articulation challenges, or phonological discrepancies can hinder clear communication and expression, impacting their day-to-day conversations. This in turn affects their self-esteem, schoolwork, and social activities. Our SLP’s will dig deep into these disorders, offering speech progression techniques and activities. We strive to ensure results by equipping every kiddo with needed communication essentials by pinpointing and addressing their core challenges, while using proven techniques and strategies. If you notice signs of these challenges or similar ones in your child and wonder about the potential benefits of speech therapy, know that you have support and can get the answers you want! Contact Square Peg Therapies and discover the tools you need to enhance your child’s language development! . . #squarepegtherapies #squarepegfits #speechdevelopment #languagedevelopment #speechproblems #languageproblems #focusoncommunication #readtoyourchild #dailyroutine #everdaysituations #avoidbabytalk #speechdelays #languagedelays #earlyintervention #speechtherapy #occupationaltherapy #speechprogression #communicationessentials

How do speech and language develop? The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. There appear to be critical periods for speech and language development in infants and young children when the brain is best able to absorb language. If these critical periods are allowed to pass without exposure to language, it will be more difficult to learn. What are the milestones for speech and language development? The first signs of communication occur when an infant learns that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship. Newborns also begin to recognize important sounds in their environment, such as the voice of their mother or primary caretaker. As they grow, babies begin to sort out the speech sounds that compose the words of their language. By 6 months of age, most babies recognize the basic sounds of their native language. Children vary in their development of speech and language skills. However, they follow a natural progression or timetable for mastering the skills of language. A checklist of milestones for the normal development of speech and language skills in children from birth to 5 years of age is included below. These milestones help doctors and other health professionals determine if a child is on track or if he or she may need extra help. Sometimes a delay may be caused by hearing loss, while other times it may be due to a speech or language disorder. What is the difference between a speech disorder and a language disorder? Children who have trouble understanding what others say (receptive language) or difficulty sharing their thoughts (expressive language) may have a language disorder. Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a language disorder that delays the mastery of language skills. Some children with DLD may not begin to talk until their third or fourth year. #RaiseAgainstAutism #PinnacleSaysItAll #PinnacleBloomsNetwork #1AutismTherapyCentresNetwork

How do speech and language develop? During the initial three years of life, the brain undergoes significant development and maturation, making it the most crucial period for acquiring speech and language abilities. The optimal development of these skills is observed in an environment that is abundant in sounds, visuals, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others. What are the milestones for speech and language development? Infants and young children seem to have specific time frames, known as critical periods, during which their brains are highly receptive to language acquisition. If these critical periods elapse without sufficient exposure to language, the process of learning becomes more challenging. Infants begin to communicate when they realize that crying can bring them nourishment, comfort, and companionship. They also start to recognize significant sounds in their surroundings, such as the voice of their mother or primary caregiver. As they grow, babies start to distinguish the speech sounds that form the words of their language. By the time they reach 6 months old, most infants can identify the fundamental sounds of their native language. The development of speech and language skills varies among children. However, they generally follow a natural progression or schedule in mastering these skills. A checklist of milestones has been created to track the normal development of speech and language skills in children from birth to 5 years old. These milestones assist doctors and other healthcare professionals in determining if a child is progressing as expected or if they may require additional support. Sometimes, a delay in development may be attributed to hearing loss, while in other cases, it may be caused by a speech or language disorder. #RaiseAgainstAutism #PinnacleSaysItAll #PinnacleBloomsNetwork #1AutismTherapyCentresNetwork

Delayed speech and language development refers to a delay or impairment in a child's ability to acquire and use speech and language skills at the expected age. This delay can manifest in various ways, including difficulty producing speech sounds, limited vocabulary, struggles with grammar and sentence structure, and challenges understanding or expressing language. There are several factors that can contribute to delayed speech and language development, including: 1. Genetic Factors: Some children may have a genetic predisposition to speech and language disorders. 2. Environmental Factors: Environmental influences such as inadequate stimulation, limited exposure to language, or a lack of responsive interaction from caregivers can impact a child's language development. 3. Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions or developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, hearing loss, intellectual disabilities, or neurological conditions, can affect speech and language development. 4. Prematurity or Birth Complications: Children born prematurely or with certain birth complications may be at higher risk for delayed speech and language development. 5. Social and Cultural Factors: Socioeconomic status, cultural practices, and family dynamics can influence a child's language development. Early identification and intervention are crucial for children with delayed speech and language development. Speech-language pathologists, like yourself, play a vital role in assessing and providing intervention strategies tailored to each child's needs. Treatment may involve speech therapy, language intervention, auditory training, and parent/caregiver education to support language development at home. It's essential to adopt a multidisciplinary approach that involves collaboration with pediatricians, psychologists, educators, and other professionals to address the underlying causes and provide comprehensive support for children with delayed speech and language development. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and enhance a child's communication skills and overall development. . . . . . #SLP #DSL #delayedspeechandlanguage #speechtherapy #bestspeechtherapistinpune