Activities to Improve Language Skills in Children with APD

by Chris O Language Development Reading School Speech Therapy Techniques
Activities to Improve Language Skills in Children

Image Courtesy of www.gemmlearning.com

Whether you know it as Auditory Processing Disorder, APD, Central Processing Disorder, or CAPD, if you have a child struggling with this disorder you know the challenges that your entire family faces. Communication, language, academics, and social interactions are all affected by this somewhat mysterious disorder that prevents a person’s brain from processing the information heard by the structures of the ears. Despite all of these challenges, there are activities to improve language skills in children with auditory processing disorder, one step at a time. Continue reading →

Build Reading Skills in Kids with Expressive Language Disorder

Build Reading Skills in Kids with Expressive Language Disorder

by Chris O Language Development Reading School Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques

It’s on the tip of my tongue! Have you ever felt this way? Kids with expressive language disorders often feel this sensation – that they should know what to say but they just can’t seem to find the right words. Expressive language disorders often mean that kids display the following symptoms:

  • Speaking in short, choppy sentences with limited vocabulary
  • Using a vocabulary that is below grade level
  • Repeating parts or the entirety of questions
  • Using um, ah, well, repeatedly as they search for the “right” word
  • Confusing tenses (past, present, future) in conversations Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – 5 Activities that Encourage Writing Skills

by Chris O Language Development Parents' Corner Reading School

 

Image Courtesy of www.themeasuredmom.com

As a writer, putting words on paper or the screen is as natural for me as talking to myself (which I do a lot of, too). However, for countless kids there are hurdles, frustrations, and challenges when it comes being able to write – to say nothing of being able to actually enjoy it. Serving up activities that encourage writing skills in bite-sized portions and not blank loose-leaf paper is one of the first steps to encouraging reluctant writers to become authors in their own rights. Continue reading →

5 Dress-Up Play Activities that Build Communication Skills

by Chris O Language Development Reading
Image Courtesy of www.eco-mothering.com

Halloween is hours away (just ask my 10 year-old who keeps a running clock of every important event in his life). But after Halloween is when I really love to hit the costume shops and aisles at my local stores. It’s time to replenish the costume box, add to that costume trunk, or start a new storage tote of everything from wigs and face paints to feathered boas and false teeth. Assemble those supplies that can not only help engage your child’s imagination, but build communication skills, too. Continue reading →

5 Communication and Speech Therapy Strategies on the Go

by Chris O Language Development Reading Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques
Speech Techniques on the Go

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Sometimes it can feel like life is so busy that we have to schedule time just to sit and breathe. So how can we fit in the extra practice and support our kids need for building speech skills? We have to make the most of communication and speech therapy strategies on the go – even in small bits and pieces. Talk with your child’s SLP about ideas, and see if some of the following can help you and your child make the most of your time on the move. Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – Fun Fall Activities for Families

by Chris O Parents' Corner Reading

 

The leaves are turning colors, the pumpkins are ripening, and fun fall activities for families are waiting just around the corner. Whether you’re ready for the pumpkin patch or are looking to add a fun science experiment to the mix, try some of these inexpensive (and easy!) fun fall activities.

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8 Great Books that Help Build Character in Kids

by Chris O Parents' Corner Reading
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Build character in kids with these 8 stories

 Mind your manners. Say please and thank you. Look someone in the eyes when speaking with them. Share your toys. These are just a few of the mantras that parents everywhere use to encourage caring, empathetic, and moral qualities in their children. Parental reminders and modeling aren’t the only ways to do this – the habit of reading good books in childhood has been shown to help build character in kids.

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The 3 Rs – Helping Kids with Communication Disorders

by Chris O Language Development Reading School Speech Disorders
Image Courtesy of careercompetencies.org

Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

Even though studying the 3 Rs might sound like an outdated approach to academics, reading, writing, and arithmetic are still foundations for learning. Children who are challenged with speech and communication disorders may need extra support to form solid foundations in these subjects. While the diagnosis and therapy treatment plans will vary for children with speech and communication disorders, there are several tools that can help children build stronger skills for their 3 Rs, and benefit communication skills as well. Continue reading →

Speech Buddies Parents’ Corner – 7 Fun Books that Build Math Skills

by Chris O Parents' Corner Reading

 

Books that Build Math Skills

Image Courtesy of mathfunforkidz.blogspot.com

For many kids, math doesn’t conjure up images of exciting, fun, or even worthwhile activities. However, you can help to turn those math humdrums into math smiles with these fun books that build math skills – no math-related frustration required. Continue reading →

Tools to Improve Communication, Reading, Memory and More – For All Learning Styles

by Chris O Language Development Reading School
Tools to Improve Communication for All Learning Styles

Image Courtesy of www.home-school.com

If your child struggles with a speech or communication disorder, it doesn’t mean that school assignments, homework, and even learning at home have to suffer. No matter which learning style your child seems to gravitate towards the most, there are tools to improve communication and reading skills – making the most of homework, studying, and even classroom participation. Continue reading →