I love seeing the differences in my two sons. I am so blessed that they are best friends (knock on wood that sticks forever) and I know I am lucky that they do get along so well. In part, I think that is due to Joshua’s autism. He doesn’t see the value in arguing over very much except maybe iphone versus everything else. I started to wonder if his laid-back temperament was really due to his …
parenting
The Importance of Teaching Responsibility to Children Living with Speech Difficulties
Speech and language problems are commonplace in the approximately 1.5 million children in the USA that are on the autism spectrum according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As parents, we inherently want what is best for our children, which includes teaching them responsibility and helping them to utilize their potential to the fullest. While taking responsibility does …
What To Expect In Your Child’s First Speech Therapy Session
If you are a parent who has not had any experience with speech therapy services for your child, the process can seem quite overwhelming. From the moment you begin having concerns about your child to finding a site for services to having an evaluation completed, there are many questions to answer. After you have navigated through the above steps, the next part of the journey is the speech therapy …
The Truth Behind Speech Disorders and Stress
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 …
Books Are Best For Babies
Don’t know what to buy that special little one in your life? New research suggests you should keep it simple and save your money. No need to buy the flashy, expensive toy that’s touted as “educational.” According to the December 23, 2015 online edition of JAMA Pediatrics, researchers at Northern Arizona University found that electronic toys that light up, talk or play music might slow language …
To the Family Just Starting Out With An Apraxia Diagnosis
To the family just starting out with an apraxia diagnosis … breathe. I know it’s hard because I’ve been there. Try not to let your thoughts and fears consume you; remember your child is still your child despite the diagnosis. Many people are unaware of apraxia, which is a neurological motor planning disorder. A child with apraxia knows exactly what he wants to say, but the breakdown between the …
How My Son’s Speech Therapy Ended Up Helping Me
It was an agonizing, gnawing fear. What if my son didn’t get the help he needed? For months my husband and I had been concerned about our toddler’s lack of speech. People kept telling us to give him time and he would magically start speaking one day. Everyone had a story to this effect about someone they knew who was once speech delayed, but suddenly, abruptly caught up. Other people told us …
I Saw the Signs…
People often ask, and I have countlessly asked myself, if there were early signs that my son, Joshua, was on the autism spectrum. Almost since birth, Joshua was an arm flapper. That was probably one of the most outwardly visible signs looking back. Predominantly when he was excited he looked like a big bird ready to take flight. Joshua also had tremendous problems with eye contact. People now tell …
A Look Back at Autism: Denial, Part 2
At the end of part one of this series, I said no more denial for this family. That is mostly true and we began home based therapy for our son pretty quickly after his diagnosis, but it was still hard to talk about. I noticed it in interviews, and in training sessions with tutors that we never once said that he was the “A” word (autistic). I had reached the point where I could say …
A Look Back at Autism: Denial
Summer of 2003. I remember it very well. I was a stay-at-home mom and the happiest one that there ever was. I had two boys, 22 months and 4 months old. We attended library story time and play groups. We went to the park where Joshua, the oldest, could swing for hours. We were an active and happy family with great support systems and lots of love. I believed everything anyone would tell me that …
Getting the Most Out of Your Child’s Speech Therapy
Learn how to get the most out of your child's speech therapy sessions. Whether you are new to therapy or your child has attended many sessions, this podcast will discuss what you can expect and how to build upon sessions for practice at home. Certified speech language therapist, Sara Solet, offers concrete tips and tools for families that you can use to optimize therapy sessions and practice what …
“You’re Going to End Up Alone, Probably in a Jail Cell, and it’s All Your Fault.” Part 2
Part 2 of the story of one father's journey to reach an appropriate diagnosis for his son. Ages 11-12 By the time TQ turned 11, his academic progress had ceased. My wife valiantly kept trying, she wasn’t about to throw in the towel yet. But he just wasn’t retaining anything long enough to build on. He’s a very bright kid, so learning the concepts themselves wasn’t the problem. But without …