Category: blog

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

  According to the ASHA WIRE (April, 2023), the rate and prevalence of Autism in the last two years has increased from 1 in 44 kids (2021) to 1 in 36 (2023). These estimates were obtained from surveillance data distributed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) This change in distribution within the population is said to be due to better screening measures, improved awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum disorders and greater access to supportive services. In addition to this higher overall prevalence of Autism, new information on Autism in girls was obtained, showing that for the first time in history, the rate of Autism in 8-year old girls has exceeded 1%. Research on Autism shows that

According to the ASHA Wire (March, 2023) In a society where being health conscious and mindful is prioritized, more evidence is available supporting having a strong “language diet” in childhood is equally as important for brain development as is our actual “diets.” According to the article, “Evidence shows us how early exposure to rich, abundant language, or “language nutrition,” nourishes a child neurologically, socially, and linguistically, and helps set them up for literacy and communication success. The following three suggestions were made in the article for parents to support the language “diets” in their children” Talk Directly to Kids~ Given that parents are the primary source of language exposure for their children, parents are encouraged to highly prioritize use of

  According to the ASHA Wire (November 2020) , research has been showing increasingly that children experiencing chronic, low-grade stress such as living in a home environment with instability or less parent involvement can be negatively impacted as much as from a single traumatic event. Signs of trauma in children can range from subtle to overt and can include: ~hyperactivity ~aggression ~unpredictable behaviors ~withdrawal To best support children with trauma experiences, it is recommended to: ~Avoid modeling strong emotions: It is reported that modeling strong emotions to kids who have experienced trauma can be triggering. Surprisingly, even showing extreme positive emotions like high levels of enthusiasm, excitement, and praise can also be triggering. ~Don’t force connections: For some kids with

  According to the ASHA Wire (May 2020), a study from Princeton University suggests that babies and parents experience similar brain activity during play.  According to the article which was published in Psychological Science, “the study found that during live, natural interactions of play, measurable connections occurred in the neural activity of adults and babies. Participants included 18 children (ages 9–15 months) and their parents. During the first part of the experiment, the child sat on their parent’s lap and interacted face-to-face with an adult researcher directly—playing with toys, singing nursery rhymes, or reading. In the second part, the adult researcher interacted with another adult, leaving the child to play with their parent off to the side.” They found that during one-on-one play,

    April celebrates what is now called Autism Acceptance Month. Autistic author, Elle Love, wrote that: “Creating awareness was the first step in our conversation about disability inclusion, however, acceptance enforces awareness and reflects how our society should celebrate the differences and abilities that neurodivergent people have.”   Neurodiversity refers to the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. The term has popularly been used in the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but also includes a range of neurological differences, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and dyspraxia.   Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with differences in communication, learning, and behavior. Some differences for

  Most children develop the skill of answering yes/no questions around 18-24 months of age. Some children may be delayed in developing this skill. Here are three tips to help your child: Begin with nodding head for yes and shaking head for no. Your child may not be ready to verbalize the words ‘yes’ or ‘no’, and may be more comfortable using the gesture. Make it a fun game. For example, grab an object such as an apple and say, “Is this a bird?” “No.” “Is this a grape?” “No”. “Is this an apple?” “Yes.” Use a visual. For example, a green check mark could represent ‘yes’ and a red letter ‘X’ could represent ‘no’.

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

There has been room for debate on whether or not doodling can contribute to an increase in focus, memory, and concentration.  This article introduces a few studies that have been tested to assess this theory.   Within the studies, participants who doodled while engaging in simple retrieval tasks were 30% more likely to recall the information than the participants who were told not to doodle. It is not recommended to doodle during more complex, challenging tasks as this can be more of a distraction.  The question is why is doodling linked to higher focus and concentration? You will have to read the short article to find out! https://www.spring.org.uk/2023/01/doodling.php

  According to a Speech Therapy Resource: “PlayBasedSpeechTherapyCourse” (Instagram, January 2023), the following 5 types of play are often implemented in Speech Therapy and are recommended to facilitate at home to promote overall success and support in childhood: ~Sensory Play: Sensory play can focus on the five primary senses, but can also address two other sensory systems that are often overlooked: proprioceptive and vestibular systems targeting body awareness and balance. ~Physical Play: Physical Activity is shown to stimulate cognitive development, grow coordination and flexibility and is believed to help maintain healthy weight in childhood. ~Constructive Play: This form of play helps establish soft skills like organization and problem solving. ~Pretend Play: This form of play helps establish social and emotional