Speech Buddies Blog
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No Danger Here, Will Robinson – Robot Therapist Shows Promise in Speech Therapy

Posted by on Monday, April 8th, 2013

robots as study buddy for children

Source: dailyinfographic.com

Could a robot deliver speech therapy? It might sound a little like science fiction, but robot-delivered speech therapy is possible and could soon become a reality in clinical practice. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, are among the first to investigate the potential of humanoid therapists for rehabilitation patients in speech and physical therapy.

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How to Teach the “F” and “V” Sounds in Speech Therapy

Posted by on Friday, April 5th, 2013

 

Dr Seuss' One Fish Two Fish

Source: Betterworldbooks.com

Does your child have trouble saying “fish?”  Ask your child to describe the picture above and listen to the “F” sound in the word, “fish.” Do they substitute another sound? Or perhaps they skip it altogether and just say “ish?” For many children, “fish” can be a tricky word to say. F, and its partner in crime,  V, are tricky sounds for some children. In speech therapy, we usually check the developmental norms to decide if this sound should be targeted according to the child’s age. We can expect a child to master the F and V sounds around ages four and eight years (respectively). If the child is not saying these sounds, they might benefit from intervention and articulation therapy. They are similar in the placement of your articulators (teeth and lips) but different in the way they are produced. Someone saying an “F” sound is allowing a lot of air to escape around their teeth, while a “V” sound is made by creating vibrations of the vocal cords.

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New Questions About Learning Language: Nouns vs Verbs?

Posted by on Thursday, April 4th, 2013

 

parts_of_speech

Source: erinandadrianne.blogspot.com

Not all words are created equal, especially when learning language. This is why baby’s first word probably isn’t “clap” or “jump.” Not because they’re hard to say exactly, but because they are verbs and according to a new study from researchers at Northwestern University, the acquisition of different parts of speech (nouns or verbs) might be shaped by the language a child is acquiring.  Some suggest that infants learn nouns and verbs similarly and their acquisition is universal. Others, however, argue that learning nouns first is a consequence of the specific language a child is learning. Is speech and language development universal? And how does this impact speech therapy across cultures and among bilingual clients?

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Are They Ready for Preschool? What A Child Should Know

Posted by on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

 

benefits of preschool graphic

Source: theprivatepreschool.blogspot.com

Children start preschool at all different ages. While they usually start at three or four years old, many start a little earlier and some will skip preschool all together. Children with special needs on an IFSP might start at three if they qualify for special education services and will likely need speech therapy, occupational, physical or other services. If your child is not on an IFSP and you are deciding whether they should start, consider the value of preparing your child for kindergarten, the social and the academic benefits of preschool. A good set of skills to have before preschool include:

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Great Speech Therapy in Texas

Posted by on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

 

cascade effects of a strong start for Texas children

Source: txchildren.org

If yesterday’s post on the Council for Exceptional Children Conference made you want pack your bags and to head towards San Antonio, you might consider staying a bit longer to check out some great speech therapy options across the state of Texas.    Texas is the second most populous and the second-largest of the 50 states, so it only follows that Texas is filled with a plethora of therapy services – and children who could benefit from them. It is also home to the #10 graduate program for speech-language pathology in the country, the University of Texas at Austin. Because the state serves such diverse populations, students at this university can obtain a unique education with a certificate in bilingual speech-language pathology. With a great need for speech therapists and educators across the state, students in Texas shouldn’t have to stress or worry about difficulty paying student-loan debt. The opportunities in careers in rehabilitation services are limitless in early education, schools and private practice. Check out the great speech therapy in Texas and professional resources.

 

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Council for Exceptional Children Conference on Education Comes to San Antonio

Posted by on Monday, April 1st, 2013

 

education infographic

Source: infographicshowcase.com

Children with communication challenges, be it articulation, hearing loss, expression or understanding rely on a community of support when it comes to their education. A speech pathologist or a classroom teacher cannot do it alone. That’s why the Council for Exceptional Children is bringing parents, educators and professionals together. On April 3-6 you can join the largest professional development event dedicated to special and gifted education in San Antonio, Texas. At the Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Expo, attendees can network, learn and engage in workshops and dialogues surrounding hot-topics in education, get involved in pre-conference workshops, browse the expo hall and find great job opportunities.

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