Skype Broadening Access To Speech Therapy Study

Researchers are using Skype to remotely train parents of kids with developmental disabilities to serve as stand-in speech language clinicians for their children. Read More;

12 Great Articles with Advice for Parents from Speech-Language Pathologists

Speech-language pathologists are an important part of the team for many children with disabilities, and learning what they do and how they do it can enable parents to strengthen and expand those same skills at home. Many speech-language pathologists have contributed to the Friendship Circle blog, on topics ranging from feeding to thumb-sucking to all aspects of language and communication. In honor of Better Hearing and Speech Month. we’ve gathered a dozen of those posts from our archives. 1. Ten Ways a Speech-Language Pathologist Can Help Your Child Written by: Katie Yeh, SLP Intro: “Speech-Language Pathologist. Speech Pathologist. Speech Teacher. Known by many names, people…   Read in browser »

Teaching Assertive Communication: An Essential Life Skill

Is your child a passive or aggressive communicator? Learning more about these communication styles can help you understand where your child is coming from and encourage assertive communication skills for more effective interactions with others. Passive Communication Passive communicators are very sensitive to others’ needs and sacrifice their own needs. • They are very worried about how others feel. • They need reassurance from others for their own choices. • They give up what they want to please other people. • They have a hard time making decisions. Pros: Passive communicators can empathize with people. They make others feel loved and appreciated, and they are…   Read in browser »

Speech Therapy Program for Middle & High School Students

Middle school students, many of whom have already been going to speech for years, can be notoriously difficult to engage. Melissa Richards, CCC-SLP, who provides online speech therapy for DeSoto County Schools, is enthusiastic about the progress of the students she serves using PresenceLearning. She credits students’ interest in technology as an important part of their engagement, and the platform itself as a way to make sessions fun, interactive and in line with both IEP goals and the curriculum. The students themselves are also excited by the individual attention they receive and how the online learning environment helps them to focus.  Watch the video now.

High School Students Progress with Online Speech Therapy

When L.A. high school students began resisting -- and even refusing to attend -- speech, Sommer Jones, Director of Special Education & Student Services for Synergy Academies, knew it was time to look at other options. A successful pilot of PresenceLearning online speech therapy with the most resistant student led to wider adoption for more high school students.  In this 2-minute video, Jones discusses the impact on her schools & students. She is joined by Irazu, a high school junior, who shares the inspirational story of her recovery from a brain aneurism & the help she received online.  %3D%3D

Watch the video now.

Schools Warned On Speech Services For Kids With Autism

Federal education officials are reminding schools not to skimp on needed speech and language services for children with autism.   http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/07/28/schools-warned-speech/20509/

Researchers study use of ultrasound technology in speech therapy

Clinicians in a multisite research study are testing the use of ultrasound technology to help with persistent speech errors, such as trouble pronouncing the "r" sound. The tool allows children, who may have difficultly hearing their errors, use visual cues to learn how to position their tongue to make sounds. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (10/20)  http://online.wsj.com/articles/new-tool-for-children-with-speech-errors-1413831478?mod=dist_smartbrief

School in Canada tests robot-based speech therapy

A school in Canada is piloting a telepresent robot as part of a distance-based speech-therapy program. Offered by TinyEYE Therapy Services, the robot gives off-site therapists a view inside students' environments. "Because they see the environment the children are working in, they can see the challenges and relate and communicate more dynamically," company spokesman Ryan Lockwood said. CKOM-AM (Saskatchewan) (3/24)   http://www.newstalk650.com/story/melfort-school-uses-robot-new-pilot-project/292173

Top 10 resources on speech, language, and hearing.

Early language, listening, and speaking are very important to literacy development. If you suspect that your child or a student is struggling with speech, language, and/or hearing problems, learn more about testing and assessment, accommodations, and additional professional help. You'll also find tips on reading aloud with children who have speech and language problems or who are deaf or hard of hearing.   http://www.readingrockets.org/article/43079/

Even When Delayed, Most Kids Acquire Speech

The majority of youngsters with autism who have severe language delay do eventually learn to talk, researchers say.   http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/03/04/even-most-speech/17416/

App aids in speech exercises outside of formal therapy

A new smartphone application called Fluently helps individuals with speech disorders, such as stuttering or articulation issues, practice speech exercises outside of formal therapy sessions. Developed by Tufts University junior Jack McDermott and based on his 15 years of being in speech therapy, the app provides a visual cue to help users know when they stutter or when they need to slow their speech to aid in pronunciation. BostInno (Boston) (1/14)  http://bostinno.com/all-series/fluently-iphone-and-ipad-app-for-speech-therapy-on-the-go/

Hispanic children with autism more likely to have learning, speech problems

Hispanic children diagnosed with autism had an almost twofold increased risk of having a learning disability or speech disorder than other patients, a study showed. Researchers noted that anxiety disorders were more prevalent among white children compared with blacks. The findings were presented at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry meeting. Family Practice News (12/14) http://ocreg.imngmedicalmedia.com/onecount/login/loginlogout.cgi?return=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familypracticenews.com%2Fsingle-view%2Fcomorbidities-might-mask-autism-in-hispanics%2F1d3cc4f6eddcd766539a9594c94735fe.html&gid=39

Framework offered for evaluating speech-language pathologists

New metrics from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association are designed to provide accountability for the country's speech-language pathologists in their role of fostering students' academic success. The Performance Assessment of Contributions and Effectiveness, or PACE, includes self-reports, a portfolio review and classroom observations. It also considers collaboration with parents and teachers and efforts to participate in professional development. Education Week/On Special Education blog (10/16)  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/10/evaluation_yardstick_unveiled_.html

How yoga can improve focus, strength for those with disabilities

Educators, therapists and parents say the practice of yoga offers many benefits for children and adults with disabilities from improved focus to other physical improvements. An international program called Yoga for the Special Child aims to help children who have special needs, including cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome. "The knowledge of yoga for special needs is up, and there is more coming," said practitioner Karen Fakroddin. Chicago Tribune (3/14)

Utah company improves technology to assist in speech therapy

A mouthpiece with 124 sensors that is linked to a microprocessor could help children overcome speech problems early, says Andy May of CompleteSpeech. The devices, called palatometers, track movements of the tongue while a person speaks and then transmits to a screen that the person and therapist can view. The technology has existed in research labs for decades, but May said CompleteSpeech has made the devices more affordable and practical for real-world use. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (7/12) http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52169340-78/speech-therapy-banks-completespeech.html.csp