One of my passions is golf. Ever since I got to the age where I couldn’t hit a fastball, golf became my sport of choice. Golf was the game where I spent two hours with my dad on a Saturday morning or four hours on a Sunday with my friends. Or a random nine holes somewhere on a discounted Wednesday afternoon. For the past 20 years I’ve been in a golf league (St. Bridget’s) where I had the …
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Honoring Mothers
I’ve had a lot of people in my life who have been a role model to me. I am thankful to every one of them. However, especially now as a mom, I find Mothers Day to be extra special. It’s fun to look back and reminisce about the things our parents did for us. Most of us don’t recognize the sacrifice parents make until we are adults ourselves. Here are some thoughts from our board members about their …
Spring Showers Bring May Flowers and Summer Vacation! So soon?
Where I live in Ohio, many elementary and high schools finish their school year at the end of May. I know this is not the case for everyone, but no matter where you live, summer is coming up fast. I love summer. I enjoy the break from the rigors of the schedule that comes during the school year. Traffic patterns are different, more kids are out and about playing, and overall the mood …
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 …
When Someone Else Can Put It Into Words
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 …
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 …
