“They’re still young - let’s just wait and see.” Coming from a pediatrician, this phrase holds a lot of power over parents worried about their child’s speech and language skills. The parents may have expressed a concern that their two-year-old hasn't started talking yet, is only saying a few words, or is very hard to understand. When the pediatrician brushes it off as not a big deal, the natural …
6 Bedroom Design Considerations for Kids With Autism or Sensory Processing Issues
Lighting, colors, design, and furniture are all elements that help make your child’s bedroom safe and comfortable. For kids with special needs, bedroom design involves more than painting the walls their favorite color and buying sheets with a beloved cartoon character. You must also consider how lighting, colors, and furniture might affect your child’s comfort, safety, and …
THE ORANGE EFFECT FOUNDATION AWARDS SPEECH GRANTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 2023
The Orange Effect Foundation recently awarded $28,411 to 18 children across the United States with speech disorders. This quarter’s grants were awarded after a thorough review process by dedicated members of the Orange Effect Board of Directors. “It’s an amazing feeling to help children in need.” said Kristin Erbacher, Orange Effect Foundation Board Chair. “On top of funding speech …
Everyone Deserves a Voice
Sometimes big ideas start in small, unexpected places. You might be surprised to know that speech-generating devices (SGDs) began in a basement in rural Ohio. Two engineers, Ed Prentke and Barry Romich, connected over a mutual passion to help individuals with disabilities. In 1966, they launched their incredible work to give a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves. PRC-Saltillo …
How Autism Can Affect Your Social Engagement and How to Deal with it?
The term 'autism' is used to describe a wide spectrum of conditions characterized by difficulties with social abilities, repetitive behaviors, speech delays, and nonverbal communication, etc. It is a developmental impairment that alters the way we see our surroundings. Being autistic myself, I know how uncomfortable or agitated autistic people can get in changing environments and at social …
Technology That Makes Communication Possible
The links between our personalities, our voices, how we communicate, and the technology that helps us to do so are not always obvious—until you meet someone like Jeffrey Flanders. Jeffrey, 15, is funny, resourceful, and totally rocking the art of self-expression. He is chatty, though primarily nonverbal because of his cerebral palsy. Jeffrey warms up fast when he meets someone …
ORANGE EFFECT FOUNDATION AWARDS SPEECH GRANTS FOR WINTER 2022
The Orange Effect Foundation recently awarded $29,916 to nine children across the United States with speech disorders. This quarter’s grants were awarded after a thorough review process by dedicated members of the Orange Effect Board of Directors. This is the first quarter where the grant application process was fully digital. “Every quarter I am more and more motivated by the children that OEF …
The Orange Effect Foundation Awards Speech Grants For Fall 2022
CLEVELAND - Sept. 13, 2022 - PRLog – The Orange Effect Foundation recently awarded $38,000 to 13 children across the United States with speech disorders. This quarter’s speech grants were awarded after a thorough review process by dedicated members of the Orange Effect Board of Directors. This is the first quarter where the digital application submission system was in effect. While paper …
Kassidy’s Story
October is Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. For so many people, physical speech may be difficult or impossible. Kassidy's story is a perfect example of how an AAC device can change a life! The Orange Effect Foundation has awarded speech device grants to kids like Kassidy. If you know someone in need of a grant, please encourage them to apply. This article is …
I Stutter. But This Is What You’re Not Hearing.
We believe that speech is empowering. To this end, the Orange Effect Foundation has awarded technology grants that help children with a stutter increase their ability to communicate confidently and effectively. However, in an amazing opinion article by James Robinson featured recently in The New York Times, stuttering is viewed from an entirely new perspective. Please take a moment to watch …
It’s Never Too Late – Tips to Engage Teens in Speech Therapy
This post originally appeared in September 2020. We are reposting it here for those who may be considering speech therapy for their older children. When I pull up to pick up my teen from school, I’m a little shocked by the scene. The vast majority of peers stand solitary, their faces buried in their phones. It’s not just the students either. Recently, at a conference, while waiting for the …
With Cochlear Implant, Struggling Tot Now Thrives in Kindergarten
The Orange Effect Foundation has funded speech therapy for children who receive cochlear implants. Auditory-based therapy is essential for optimizing a cochlear implant recipient's speech, language, and listening skills. Learn more about cochlear implants and one child's journey from hearing loss to empowered speech and communication skills in this article reposted with permission from the …
