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To help educate parents, caregivers, and related professionals about the development of speech, language, hearing, feeding and swallowing skills, the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) has recently updated its developmental milestones for hearing, speech, and language (birth to 5) and added a new resource on feeding and swallowing milestones (birth to 3). The communication (hearing, speech, language) milestones show the ages by which at least 75% of American English–speaking children have developed communication skills. Each milestone is supported by research and includes a reference list. The feeding and swallowing milestones checklist (which is also available in Spanish) reports the ages by which at least 75% of children worldwide have mastered the skills. They are based on international research

Siblings, older or younger, can be an excellent peer model for kids receiving speech and language therapy and this can be very motivating Have siblings help with turn-taking activities. Choose a fun game and get siblings involved by taking turns appropriately while playing a game with their brother or sister. Learning to take turns appropriately can help siblings get along better outside of therapy Siblings can help set appropriate goals; have the siblings help create functional goals in the home setting. For example, you may ask your child “when is it hard for you to understand what your brother/sister is saying?” He or she may provide examples which is helpful to establish functional goals at home Siblings can be helpful

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/

Reading with your child is not only a great way to bond with them, but it is a great opportunity to increase language skills.   Language begins to develop while your child is in utero.  Your child hears voices in the womb and soon after birth can recognize familiar voices and begins to focus on sounds specific to their native language. When read to, babies/toddler continue to grow in their receptive language skills by increasing their knowledge of linguistic rhythms and common phonemes.  Reading with your child as they grow also helps to increase their overall exposure to language (vocabulary/structures/rhymes…etc.), engages their imaginations, and helps them learn about their world.    Tips for reading with your child: choose colorfully illustrated books

Voice disorders in children can be presented or identified through the following signs: Loss of voice A voice that is hoarse or breathy (outside of an illness) An effortful or strained quality of voice    What can you do as a parent? Contact your child’s pediatrician.  A referral to an ENT may be indicated.  Teach best speaking habits (have your child avoid shouting or screaming in excess) Make sure your child is hydrated with water throughout the day Incorporate quiet time during the day to allow the voice to rest Contact us to conduct  a voice evaluation

Screens are a huge part of our lives, but as your baby first comes into this world it is best to limit screen time as much as you can.   But why?   Studies have illustrated that babies with excessive screen time: speak fewer words miss out on communication opportunities with communication partners have delays in speech & language development have greater difficulties learning to self soothe   How can you be tech-wise with your baby? ensure you speak with your partner/child’s caregivers about how you all plan to be tech-wise so everyone is on the same page have spaces in the home that are free of technology have tech free time designated through the day (example: meal times, when

    Here are some signs of hearing loss in very young children: Does not alert to sounds (birth-3 months) Pulls or grabs at ears Does not respond when you call their name (7-9 months) Does not follow simple instructions (13-18 months)   What to observe in an older child: Presence of speech and language delays  Academic difficulties Frequent requests for repetition Has social difficulties in school Consider discussing your concerns with your child’s pediatrician.  A referral to an audiologist may be needed.

Communicating with your child is a great joy, but what if you are finding it difficult?  Could it be that they have a language disorder?  How can you tell?   Signs of a Language Disorder: Lack of a smile or direct interaction with others (birth & older) No presence of babbling (4-6 months) Limited sound productions or use of gestures (7-9 months) Limited vocabulary (19 months-2 years) Not putting words together to make sentences (19 months-3 years) Not easily understood by others (3-4 years) Difficulties with early reading skills or acknowledging the front of a book (4-5 years)   What can a caregiver do: Interact with your child by listening & responding to them Engage in talk, reading, and play

It can be concerning when your child starts to repeat themselves, but not all repetitions are considered a stuttering or disfluency disorder.  Below are some of the identifiable signs of stuttering and what you can do if you see them in your child.   Signs: Repetitions of the initial sounds in words “f-f-f-f-an” for “fan” Stretching or elongation of the a sound “bbbbbbb-barn” for “barn” Difficulty getting words out as if the word is stuck in them (usually accompanied by frustration) Stuttering that occurs for greater than six months   What caregivers can do: Be patient and give your child the time & space to talk Avoid interrupting, stopping, or telling your child to slow down while the are speaking

    What is an ENT?   An ENT in a physician who specializes in diagnosing & treating conditions associated with the ears, nose, and throat.  Sometimes these physicians are also referred to as otolaryngologists.  Common conditions these doctors treat include: ear infections, voice difficulties, swallowing trouble, allergies, and issues with tonsils and adenoids.   When would a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) refer you to an ENT?   If a structural difference may be the causal factor for a clients speech & language disorder then a referral to an ENT is essential before an SLP can provide effective treatment.   Possible referral reasons: Hypernasality: when there is too much nasal airflow (sounds like one is talking through their nose) Hyponasality: