Speech disorders affect millions of children each year, with almost 8% of kids under 17 showing some sort of communication disorder. The inability to connect with peers can be an emotional drain on school-age kids, leading to a myriad of both physical and mental problems that can persist into adulthood. Many children who are coping with a speech impediment experience a great deal of stress …
blog
Dear Moms: Stop Beating Yourself Up
I suspect like many Moms, I get reflective as Mother’s Day approaches. But do I have time to be reflective? Maybe not. I have to make sure that all the Moms and Grandmas and Nanas in our life get cards, and gifts where appropriate. And I have to make sure that we see them that day. Oh, and one is out of town, so maybe send flowers and candy? Should we host dinner? What will be on the menu? If the …
Children’s Books That Promote Autism Awareness
An April 2018 New York Times article told of a new study that shows the widespread impact of reading with young children. The study revealed that social and emotional development takes place, in addition to learning language and literacy. It also showed that reading with a child can decrease behaviors such as aggression, hyperactivity, and short attention span. In addition to all of these …
The Orange Effect Foundation Responsible For Orange Wave
CLEVELAND - April 11, 2018 - PRLog -- An orange wave is taking over the country. After a March 2018 board meeting, The Orange Effect Foundation is proud to announce that since it began awarding grants in late 2015, the foundation has funded over 85 children in 17 states nationwide. The most recent set of grants, awarded in mid-March after a thorough application review process, provides 26 children …
Cavaliers Expand Accessibility For Fans With Sensory Issues
It's NBA Playoff Season (Go Cavs!) and whether you prefer to catch the game from your couch or are fortunate enough to have tickets to a game, several arenas have recognized that watching a pro game can be sensory overload for some fans. In fact, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the first to offer a sensory room in a U.S. sports facility in March 2017 (like I said, GO CAVS!) These rooms feature …
State of the Arts to Enhance Learning
The arts have always been an avenue to aid the development of all children. Teaching children how to express themselves and their emotions through artmaking is not new, as we spend more time with our children at home. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) denotes that 'Art therapy' enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, …
Get Ready to Golf!
As the Orange Effect Foundation (OEF) continues to grow, we are now fundraising full time to meet the demand of children and families with need. That said, our golf outing is still our biggest fundraiser. Registration is now open for the 12th Annual OEF Golf for Autism. It's hard to believe that this amazing event started all the way back in 2007. It's wonderful to see the support of so many as …
Ultrasound Unlocks Articulation Roadblock
In this article published in the March 2018 Outcomes Magazine by the Harding University Center for Health Sciences, a speech-language pathologist shares a patient's breakthrough after ultrasound is used to map articulation. Lucie’s speech was atypical. In fact, it was like nothing that I had encountered in almost 20 years of practice as a pediatric speech-language pathologist. Lucie had been …
When Everything…Even Getting In Trouble…Is AMAZING!
From my UNscientific research*, about 10% of parents have been told that their child will not be able to do something. Maybe they were told their child can’t play a particular sport due to a past injury, or that their child cannot participate in an academic completion due to a learning disorder or walk without assistance due to a birth defect. Whatever it is, no matter the issue, parents just …
Music Therapy Moves Kids With Speech Delays
A German study published in 2010 revealed that music therapy helps facilitate speech development. If the German scientists could have spoke with Aristotle or Plato, they would have been told the exact same thing. Humans have been using music therapy for delayed speech since the time of the great philosophers. The result of music to encourage speech is an increased confidence in communication …
Seeking Balance
February has always been such an interesting month for me. Here in Cleveland it is often the “grayest” month of the year, meaning we don’t get much sunshine! But it is also the month of St. Valentine’s Day! Love is constantly in the air. It makes me reflect on relationships a bit more, including those with my children. What a struggle it is to balance accepting them the way they are with trying …
Caring For Siblings of Sick or Disabled Children
Recently, The New York Times featured an article that discussed the needs of siblings of a special needs or sick child. The author, Dr. Perri Klass, M.D., emphasizes the importance of communication and reminds parents that the illness should not be treated like a mystery. She also provides practical tips such as reminding parents to give one-on-one time to siblings and to maintain normalcy as much …
