Cost of Delayed Intervention in Texas
Research shows many benefits to early intervention and speech therapy for children. However, many children do not have access to services in Texas. The cost of delayed or absent therapy is significant for our society. Read more about the importance of early intervention and where to find help. Without early and appropriate intervention, there are […]
Pretend Play
Research indicates there are several risk factors for delayed language skills, developmental delays, and cognitive delays. One of the risk factors is decreased pretend play skills. Pretend play begins to develop around 12-18 months, but isn’t mastered until 3-5 years. What is pretend play? Children develop pretend play skills later, after functional play and constructional play […]
Why is play important?
As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I’ve been asked by other parents in therapy “When will he talk? All you do is play!” I’m pretty sure my husband thinks I only make playdough creations and play Go Fish. Actually, he’s not wrong – I do A LOT of play in my job, but purposeful play is […]
Screen Time – What parents should know
Screen Time –Is it harmful, or can it be used to help children learn and develop? As a speech-language pathologist, my opinion is screen time can be both. Interactive media and technology can help children learn if used appropriately and intentionally, guided by an adult, and accompanied with language-rich interactions. On the other hand, using […]
Routines-Why are they so important?
Routines for Children Today, I watched my two-year-old walk in from playing outside, remove his shoes, and immediately take them to the basket where I keep his shoes by the front door. Without me saying one word! All those times I gently reminded him of my desired routine actually became his own little routine he […]
Summer Speech & Language
Summer Speech & Language Building Parents and caregivers may feel both relief and stressed at the thought of summer vacation, but –Good news! – we’ve got you covered for summer speech and language building! School Speech Services For children who receive only school-based speech services, summer means no more “speech class.” However, language development does […]
What Would I Say If I Could Tell You
A Caregiver’s Role in Therapy
What’s my role in therapy? You’ve finished the evaluation and scheduled therapy, but now what? Caregivers who are new to therapy may be wondering “What is my role in my child’s therapy? How can I stay involved?” It’s normal to feel anxious or unsure about therapy as you begin the process, but the speech-language pathologist […]
Speech & Language: What parents need to know
There’s so much information available to parents that it can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when you have concerns about your child. You may hear “children develop on their own time” or children “catch up” without therapy, but what does the research actually say? Here’s answered to some of the most common questions regarding speech and […]
The Importance of Emotional Competence
I look over at my student struggling with his homework. I hear a big sigh as he looks at the first problem. After the second problem, he throws his pencil down. When I ask if he would like help, he yells “this is stupid!” He crumples it into his backpack and refuses to talk about […]