Shaw Speech Therapy
Alberton Alberton, PE, Canada

Hello followers and Facebook friends, I just wanted to give a little update on Covid 19. Due to the recommendations that you wear a mask within 6 feet of individuals, and the nature of my private practice work being traveling to peoples homes, I will not be offering in person service for the foreseeable future. This is a tough decision to come to, but in order to follow public healths recommendations and to take care of myself and my clients, this is the decision I’ve made. ... If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me! Stay safe, stay healthy and I will hopefully see you soon!

Hello Friends, I’ve had some message me regarding services in the summer Until further notice (and when social/physical distancing is lifted by CPHO) there will be no face to face services. If you’re interested in alternatives, we can discuss telepractice services, at your convenience. Stay safe, stay healthy, flatten the curve!

Somethings to think about while you’re playing with a barn.

Some children have problems understanding, this is what I would call receptive language. Now, we can understand a lot about a topic and not a lot about another (like...me and physics). Children with receptive language delays or disorders may have difficulty:... Understanding what people mean when they use gestures, like shrugging or nodding Following directions Understanding concepts and directions Answering questions Pointing to objects and pictures Knowing how to take turns when talking with others (ASHA, 2020) What can we do to help kids with these kind of difficulties? Know what their strengths are, and start there. If you know your child has difficulty following two step directions, don't immediately assume that that's where you start. It's nice to have some success. Start with adding a concept to your single step directions (e.g. instead of saying point to the cow; say point to the big cow; instead of saying give me a cow; ask for two cows) Learning attributes, learning size and quantity concepts and learning about abstract concepts such as time can help increase your understanding. It also helps decrease frustration...If your child didn't understand what after meant, they're always going to be frustrated when you don't give them their toy until after lunch. If you know that pointing to an object is hard, use your hand to help them point. And keep what you’re pointing to pretty consistent. You can even start pointing to things on yourself (clothes, body parts) or things on others (me potato head) and things in books. When they point to it, you label it so they know exactly what they did! These are just some tiny ideas -- there isn't a cookie cutter way to address receptive language. I for some reason cannot attach some files (PRINTABLE ones) that you can work on. If you want them, send me a message and I'll pass it along.

I try not to post twice in a day because I don’t like overloading you guys, and eventually I run out of things to say BUT, I just found out one of my favourite apps is free this week (in the US, hopefully in Canada too). Now, I said limit screen time. I believe this. I feel this. But, if you’re going to sneak it in for your older kids check out My PlayHome. It’s fun! It’s functional plus you can sneakily target language. Describe what you’re doing, answer questions, fol...low directions, speech sounds, Verb tenses, naming objects. So many things! Online there are a number of book streaming sites that are offering a free monthly trial, including Epic!, Scholastic, ABCMouse. Some other apps: toca kitchen, toca hair salon, opposite by my first app (lite version), sorting 1 by my first app (lite version), baby chef (lite), peek a boo barn (this one costs money)! If you’re looking to target some speech sounds, and are sick of the hand outs given to you, quick artic is free! If you are doing screen time, try to at least make it something that is educational!

Language I’ve had a lot of people say to me (child) knows words, but (s)he doesn’t use them! That can be for a number of reasons. One thing I always like to say is: have you given them the opportunity to try to say the word? A lot of times we anticipate what children want and remove the need for them to make requests, if you do that a lot, they won’t feel the need to do it. When I talk about Language I divide it into two categories, receptive (comprehension) and expres...sive. Here are some Expressive Language facilitation techniques. First and foremost-It’s always Important to be on a child’s level. Face to face, eye contact, and engagement is important! Sabotage- set up a situation where language is to be used to express immediate needs and wants. A. Hide a favourite toy behind your back/out of reach and attempt to have them have to ask for it. B. Give the child a container that is difficult to open C. Give the child an empty cup at dinner time same and drink your juice Asking can be pointing, using a word approximation (eg tu for cup) or the single word. A lot of times you have to model the word for them. But once it’s modeled and used, give them the object. After they model it, wait to give the model and see if they do it spontaneously. Self talk Talk about what you’re doing while you’re doing it. When doing this, use shorter phrases and narrate what you’re doing. This is excellent input for your child’s brain! You can do this while making food; helping kids get ready, playing with a toy, etc. Parallel talk Talking about what your child is doing while they are doing it. If your child is playing with blocks; you would say something like we’re building blocks! Blocks are going up! Red block on, crash! Uh oh, fell down You can use many toys do this: bubbles, play dough, cars, blocks, barns, barbies. Tomorrow (if I get any interest in this ) receptive language!

3 weeks at home with your child (if that’s something you can do) is bound to be both a blessing as well as stressfull/trying. This uncertainty in the world can lead to a lot of uncertainty in our homes. The idea of losing much fought for progress is a big fear for many families. Here are just some reminders: 1. They’re used to routine! Try to make some kind of routine for them. Even if it’s just small things like story time and snack time! 2. If your child is young, they’re... bound to get frustrated with you (eg I want to play on my tablet not do ...), use first/then statements. It’s very hard for younger and older children to understand the many steps of what is expected of them. First/then statements can help both yours and the child’s frustration! 3. Take time to read a book. If you have specific sounds you have been told to work on, that’s great, look for those sounds in the book! If you’re not sure what you’re exactly working on, talk about the book, describe pictures, ask some simple questions. A book definitely goes beyond a 2 minute story. 4. Play inside with them. Solitary play is great, but if you’re an only child that can get boring fast. Encourage some scavenger hunts, some fun hiding games, or just playing with their toys. Try imaginary play or play with something in a different way then it’s intended. Play is such an important part of your child’s growth and development. You can focus on following directions, describing what people are doing, describing what you’re doing, answering questions, joint attention. Also, it’s not just you doing the talking, let them lead the play. So many things from just one object! 5. Try to limit screen time. This is hard. This is hard for me as an adult. But, there are guidelines on screen time for a reason. Put the items out of the way so it’s not a constant distraction. 6. If your child has an excess of energy, have them do some physical activity. Go outside! Walking around, playing a game in a free area, shoveling snow, let them burn off that energy, they’re able to do that. Dance parties(head and shoulders; it’s bitsy spider, wheels on the bus, the wiggles )/Simon says, are some fun activities that can also target some great learning tools. Don’t forget, this is a change in their routine/trying time for them as well. These are just some ideas and tips that can be useful for everyone!

A very interesting perspective!

This is an important reminder before Christmas! Toys are great, but they are quickly forgotten. Share memories, books and exciting times instead!

I need to learn how to do this.

Exciting news! I now have several new tests, including: Phonological Awareness Test, Gray Oral Reading Test, and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals. Great! What does that mean? Well, more testing for me and less having to wait from previous reports. ... In other news, I’m also making the move UP WEST. So, I will be hoping to see school aged clients in Kensington- West Area. Moira

Some type of system should definitely be looked at.

Early identification of speech, language and communication challenges can prevent subsequent problems in literacy and learning. Canada needs a national approach to the delivery of speech-language pathology services for children and adolescents.