Cleveland, Ohio – The Orange Effect Foundation is pleased to announce it awarded eight more grants that will impact the lives of children and young adults with speech disorders in New Jersey, Texas and Ohio. The Cleveland-based nonprofit just awarded $15,000 in grants for speech therapy and sign language instruction to deserving families following a quarterly board meeting. The recipients will …
blog
Using a Tablet to Communicate
As part of our mission to empower children and young adults with speech disorders, the Orange Effect Foundation funds augmentative and alternative communication. For some, this is a Dynavox communication device. For others, it is simply a tablet loaded with communication applications. Watch Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby learn more about how children with speech disorders use tablets to …
Super Summertime Speech-Building Activities
Summer is here and if you don't have your speech and language materials ready, now is the time to do it. Some children start summer speech services in July, while others might go year-round. It is important to take advantage of the “summer theme” because it helps to build new vocabulary and relate activities the child may be currently participating into their speech and language goals. If they are …
Understanding Apraxia of Speech
The Orange Effect Foundation recently funded sign language education for a child diagnosed with Developmental Apraxia of Speech. Apraxia is a speech disorder in which a person has trouble saying what he or she wants to say correctly and consistently. It is not due to weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles. Severity of apraxia of speech can range from mild to severe. Watch "Independence," a …
Heroes Among Us – Special Needs Dads
My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. --Jim Valvano As we take time this weekend to honor the fathers, grandfathers and wonderful male role models in our lives, let's take a moment to recognize the one particular variety of father that is in a class all his own--the special needs dad. Happy Father's Day! This one's for …
10 Wonderful Ways to Celebrate Pam Kozelka and Help the Orange Effect Foundation
Today, June 8, is the birthday of Orange Effect Foundation founder and executive director, Pam Kozelka. In honor of Pam, here are 10 wonderful ways to help the Orange Effect Foundation continue to help others. 1. Like the Orange Effect Foundation on Facebook. 2. Follow the Orange Effect Foundation on Twitter. 3. Share something that inspires you from the Orange Effect Foundation …
10 Tips to Boost Speech and Language in Your Toddler
My daughter G is delayed in her speech as she is Globally Developmentally Delayed. She started walking a month before she turned three years old and that took a massive amount of intense physiotherapy to get her to that point. When she began walking it was like a dream had come true. It was never certain she would walk. The endless tears we would have just to achieve rolling onto her front made …
Stimulating Speech With Toys
Looking to stimulate speech with your child through play? Here are some great toys for stimulating play, language, and social skills. Bildopolis Made from 40% recycled-content cardboard, this kit can transform durable cardboard into a 3D rocket ship, castle or another favorite creation. Attach the boards using the included Velcro dots. Each kit comes with square, rectangle, and triangle shapes …
Providing a Voice
The Orange Effect Foundation empowers children and young adults to communicate effectively. Recently, the Orange Effect Foundation helped a child find his voice by funding a communication device called the Dynavox T-10. Take a look at how this device and other augmented and alternative communication devices help individuals with disabilities lead fuller and richer lives. This is Inspiration Day at …
Special Needs Apps Guide
Speaking, listening, and communicating are essential for school and social life, but many kids struggle to master these skills. For kids with challenges such as speech and language impairments, communication can be particularly difficult. Apps are one way for children to practice speech and language skills. Common Sense Media has compiled a list of apps for beginner, intermediate, and advanced …
Building Speech Through Books
Do you know that reading repetitive books with infants and toddlers builds language development? Repetitive books are also essential tools for helping children with speech disorders. "Do you like my hat? I do not like that hat." The Child Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) states that the "predictability, use of carrier phrases, frequent practice of a target sound (s), …
Does Your Child Need a Speech Evaluation?
If you're like many parents, you own a parenting book or two (or three!) that carefully describes important developmental milestones in your child's life. Using these as a guide, you anticipate your baby's first smile, first steps, first word. While so many of these milestones are given a very broad time frame ("between ages 1 and 3 your child will grow a full set of 20 teeth") others are much …
