Four-year-old Charlotte used a speech-generating device to communicate for two years. Due to decreased fine motor skills resulting from cerebral palsy, the device became a source of extreme frustration. It now took Charlotte almost a full minute to locate and touch the screen on her device just to complete a single word. Charlotte needed a new way to a communicate. A visual tracking system …
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Georgia Brothers On the Road to Communication
The Orange Effect Foundation funds speech devices like the ones described here. For more information on what we fund, please visit www.theorangeeffect.org. This article appeared on Dynavoxtech.com Eight-year-old James Ellerbee III likes to go for rides in the country, so much so that his mother likes to call one of his favorite roads “James’ Way.” James is also a fan of survival video games and …
Change and the Autistic Teenager
When my son Joshua was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two, I read every book I could get my hands on… (the internet wasn’t quite that big of a thing yet for resources). One of the things I read was that some Autistic teens get moody, even aggressive, as they start having hormonal changes. I kept this in the back of my mind for many years and knock on wood, at age 16 we still haven’t had …
Making An Impact
Communication is critical in my line of work. If you know me, you might think that's just because I'm in marketing. But really, what career today can you succeed without the ability to communicate? Manufacturers, hair stylists, programmers, lawyers, bus drivers, doctors, educators, fast food workers, financial planners…I could go on. We often take for granted our ability to communicate, don’t …
To Siri, With Love
How One Boy With Autism Became BFF With Apple's Siri In this New York Times article, Judith Newman contemplates the relationship between Siri and her son with autism. She wonders whether Siri's "soothing voice and puckish humor" make her more worthy of his care and affection. …
The Orange Effect Foundation Makes The Season Brighter For Children With Speech Disorders
The holiday season glowed brighter for the 19 families that received Orange Effect Foundation grants in December 2017. Following a thorough review process, more than $56,000 was awarded to families in need to fund speech therapy and to purchase speech technology. Grants were awarded to children in Minnesota, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Missouri, …
Making the Best Investments for Your Child
From autism to stutters, there are many reasons why children experience speech difficulties. Support can come in many forms too, from grant-funded speech-easy devices to high-tech speech therapy innovations, but without a solid financial plan in place it can be difficult to cover the expenses of all the treatment that your son or daughter needs. While even considering the notion that we might not …
Living on the Spectrum and on Sesame Street
Julia, a Muppet with autism, was welcomed to Sesame Street in April 2017. She's an old friend of Elmo's but a new addition to the neighborhood. Watch the clip below to see her debut. For more information about why Sesame Street team created a character with autism, be sure to read this Smithsonian Magazine article. Written by Ron Suskind, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who explored life …
The Season of Giving
The Season of Giving. We all know the phrase and hear it regularly throughout November and December every year. A cursory search for its origins turns up speculation, at best. But its meaning is implicitly understood – the end of the calendar year is marked by holiday celebrations which provide opportunities to both receive tokens of love and regard from friends and family, as well as to give to …
Happy Holidays From the Orange Effect Foundation
Sharing the Christmas message from this special needs family that things get better, there is hope, and children do adapt. Happy Holidays from the Orange Effect Foundation! https://youtu.be/Bzi2R2wslfQ …
Find the Perfect Gift With These Special Needs Gift Guides
If you won’t be caught within 1,000 feet of a mall this time of year, you’ll probably be doing a lot of online shopping, and scouring for those specialty items your child might enjoy. This online gift guide is just what you need to find the perfect toy or therapy item for a special needs child. Therapist Recommendations 1. 2017 Holiday Gift Guide From pediatric occupational therapist Meghan …
The Battle For Insurance Coverage–We Won!
Let me just start by saying that this blog post is not to bash our insurance company. In fact, you will rarely hear me speak in a negative way about our insurance company because of the incredible coverage that we have and the benefits that our company provides. I have learned that most families that have their children in regular speech therapy run into some trouble with getting insurance to …
