Being the parent of a child with Autism is no easy task. To those of you doing it every day this is not new news. I’ve read so many books by the experts about everything from causes to best practices, but never have I been so struck by a book as I was when I read The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer. Let me backtrack just a little. I am in a book club that I love. After so many years of …
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Advice for Future Speech Language Pathologists
Deciding what you want to be when you “grow up” is often one of the most difficult decisions a person makes. For some it comes easily, but from my experience most people just aren’t sure and change their mind often. In this third part of the series in which we asked our expert Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) for their feedback, we wanted to know what advice they have for someone …
What Speech Therapists Want Parents to Know
In this second part of our series, we asked our expert Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) what they wish parents knew? The question was broad, it could be what they wish parents knew about speech therapy, about their child's disorder or pretty much about anything. Even with that said, the responses we got have some pretty clear themes. The first is that your SLP is your advocate, …
The Effect of Covid on Speech Therapy
Kids Who Need Speech Therapy In An (Almost) Post Pandemic World In this first of a three part series of blog posts, we reached out to several of the speech therapists we have been privileged to work with, and asked them for some feedback to share with our families and supporters. The first question we asked is, What effects have you seen on students since the impact of …
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 …
The Top Three Reasons I Tell Someone To Get A Speech Assessment
I don’t prefer to start a post with a disclaimer, but in this case one is needed - I am not a certified Speech-Language Therapist. I don’t play one on TV either (haha). I'm just a Mom who has been fortunate to have a tremendous experience with her child's speech therapy, and is often asked by other parents if I think their child should get assessed? I give them the same disclaimer! The perfect …
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 Do You Know Which Resources To Trust?
I am always happy to sit down and chat with parents and caregivers about anything related to Autism or children with special needs. I enjoy learning about the new things they are able to do because of research and technology, and am mesmerized by their passion and commitment to their children. I often sound like a broken record saying ‘wow, back when my kids were little we didn’t have anything …
What Would You Golf 100 Holes For?
I’m turning 50 this year. I’m taking it pretty well so far. The only new thing I have committed to is running my first marathon. I’m following a pretty strict training schedule so that I can actually finish the entire 26.2 miles. Another “marathon” I have done the past three years is Orange Effect’s 100 Holes of Golf fundraiser. Trust me, trying to complete 100 holes of golf in ONE day is …
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 …
What Makes You Smile?
I really try hard not to be on social media too much. I have to be on social media in some ways for work and that’s okay, but when it’s time to decompress I believe in the research that says it is not good for you mentally and that it does not help with sleep. The times I do get caught “going down the rabbit hole” or spending too much time with social media is when there are certain kinds of …
