Author: Caroline Vance MS CCC SLP

  Interactive book reading is a highly effective strategy used by educators, caregivers, and speech therapists to engage children in the reading process and promote language development, comprehension, and literacy skills. Here’s how to conduct an interactive book reading session: Choose the Right Book: Select a book that is age-appropriate and aligns with the child’s interests and developmental level. Consider books with engaging illustrations, predictable patterns, and repetitive phrases that encourage participation. Before Reading: Set the stage by introducing the book’s title, author, and illustrator. Encourage the child to make predictions about the story based on the cover or title. Preview any new vocabulary words or concepts that may be encountered in the book. During Reading: Read the story aloud,

  A social story is a tool used primarily in special education and therapeutic settings to help individuals, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), understand social situations, expectations, routines, and appropriate behaviors. Developed by Carol Gray in the early 1990s, social stories are structured narratives that provide individuals with clear and concrete information about social interactions or events they may encounter. These stories typically include descriptive sentences, pictures, and sometimes simple language to convey the message effectively. Key features of a social story include: Objective: Social stories describe a specific social situation or behavior objectively, highlighting relevant details such as who, what, when, and where. Perspective Taking: Social stories often aim to encourage perspective-taking by helping individuals understand others’

Are you or someone you know interested in a career as a Speech Language Pathologist? Becoming an SLP typically requires a combination of education, clinical experience, and licensure. Here are the general requirements to become a speech therapist: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Begin by completing a bachelor’s degree program in communication sciences and disorders, speech-language pathology, linguistics, psychology, or a related field. Some undergraduate programs may offer specific coursework tailored to prerequisites for graduate-level speech-language pathology programs. Complete a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology: Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in a related field usually pursue a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited program. These programs typically take two years to complete and include coursework in areas such as speech and

  Materials Needed: -Plastic eggs -Small pieces of paper -Basket to hold the eggs -Speech and language prompts or targets Setup: -Prepare speech and language prompts or targets based on the goals of your therapy session. These prompts could include vocabulary terms, articulation targets, sentence formulation prompts, WH- questions, describing objects, etc. -Write each prompt or target on a small piece of paper and fold it up. -Place one prompt or target inside each plastic egg and close it securely. -Hide the eggs around the therapy room or designated play area. How to Play: -Explain the rules of the game to the child or children participating in the therapy session. -Encourage them to search for the hidden eggs around the

Occupying a child with special needs on a long road trip requires planning and creativity to ensure their comfort and engagement throughout the journey. Here are some strategies you can consider: Prepare a Travel Kit: Pack a travel bag with familiar items that provide comfort and entertainment for your child. Include favorite toys, books, sensory items, and comfort objects such as blankets or stuffed animals. Create a Visual Schedule: Use visual aids, such as a schedule or checklist, to help your child understand the sequence of events during the trip. This can provide a sense of predictability and reduce anxiety. Plan Regular Breaks: Schedule frequent stops along the route to allow your child to stretch their legs, use the restroom,

  January National Birth Defects Month January 4- World Braille Day January 20- International Day of Acceptance January 24- Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day February Turner Syndrome Awareness Month February 15- International Angelman Day February 28- Rare Disease Day March Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Kidney Awareness Month Multiple Sclerosis Month Social Work Awareness Month Trisomy Awareness Month March 1- Self-Injury Day March 1- International Wheelchair Day March 21- World Down Syndrome Day March 26- Purple Day for Epilepsy April April 2- World Autism Awareness Day May Better Hearing and Speech Month Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month Mental Health Awareness Month National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month Prader Willi Syndrome Awareness Month Williams Syndrome Awareness Month May 1- Global Developmental

@speechsisters -A great resource for parents of early learners! These SLP sisters provide easy tips and tools for parents and caregivers to use in daily routines. @weetalkers -Carly and Katie are SLPs who provide doable tips and encouragement for parents looking to increase and improve their child’s communication skills. They provide communicative milestones, book recommendations, activities, and crafts to aid in increasing language output. @jenya_cma_lab -Jenya Iuzzini-Seigel MS. CCC-SLP is a professor at Marquette University and director of the Communication, Movement, and Learning Lab.  She specializes in diagnosis and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and developmental language disorder. She is a great resource for parents and SLPs working with children who are diagnosed with CAS. @grahamspeechtherapy -Amy Graham

As the holiday season approaches, check out some of these fun treats to make at home or during therapy sessions! Working together to make treats can address a variety of skills: following directions, expressive language, speech targets, executive functioning to name a few. Strawberry Santa Hats: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/strawberry-santa/ No Bake Christmas Tree Cookies https://www.thereciperebel.com/bake-christmas-tree-cookies/ Melting Snowman Cookies: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/melted-snowman-sugar-cookies/91c4a274-78a1-4cba-b890-52563d6cd670 Candy Dreidels https://toriavey.com/candy-dreidels/ Kwanza Rice Krispies https://www.ricekrispies.com/en_US/recipes/kwanzaa-treats-recipe.html New Years Clock Cookies https://everydaydishes.com/holiday/new-years-eve-clock-sugar-cookie-recipe/

Ms. Rachel is a YouTube phenomenon.  Children love her for her super animated and fun videos. What I love about her is how she engages children in an exciting way but also uses/includes speech and language targets for toddlers.  They are a great substitute (instead of watching Cocomelon) during TV/tablet time for children that are speech and language delayed or new language learners! Below are a few links to some of my favorite Ms. Rachel clips.  Check her page out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1DYsiKC7b4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7siu3eOW1VQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R0xRT2y7Uo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHrqPI9bVk

Looking for a way to support children with special needs and get a sweet treat for your pup? Look no further than Gravitate Queen City! Based in Waxhaw, North Carolina, the non-profit company’s mission is to create an inclusive community and empower young adults with different abilities.  They specialize in vocational training while making dog treats.  While working at Gravitate, these young individuals are able to make meaningful friendships and engage with peers in a variety of environments.  As a community, it is very important to support these inclusive companies that strive to empower and set individuals up for independence and success.  If you or someone you know has a furry friend, consider purchasing treats from a company that has a