From Stutter to Superstar: Megan Washington’s Story

From Stutter to Superstar: Megan Washington’s Story

News
Megan Washington

Award-winning singer/songwriter Megan Washington suffers from a stutter. Image Courtesy of ABC.

A multi-platinum singer, two-time ARIA Award winner, and guest judge on The Voice, do you know Megan Washington? As one of Australia’s most famous singer/songwriters, “Washington” as she’s called, is setting stages on fire all across the world. But, did you know that Megan Washington has suffered from a debilitating stutter since she was five years old?  If you have not seen her TEDx presentation, you may have never heard Megan Washington stutter, nor guessed that public speaking was her greatest fear. Her experience, as with many, was that singing therapy for stuttering brought “sweet relief” from her speech impediment. It was the only time she felt her speech was fluent. Washington’s story recently became headline news as she revealed her long-time secret at a TEDx conference in Sydney earlier this year.

“To me, language and music are inextricably linked through one thing. And that thing is I have a stutter.”

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Family Road Trip! 6 Activities for Drama-Free Driving.

Family Road Trip! 6 Activities for Drama-Free Driving.

Games and Activities
Summer Road Trip Ideas

Summer Road Trip Ideas. Image source: fairfoodfight.com

Road Trip!  We’re all doing a road trip of some sort this summer! For some, it may be an hour upstate to visit grandparents, and for others, a trip across the country.  For many parents, the thought of hours and hours in the car with pre-school kids creates anxiety. Are you envisioning whining, complaining and tantrums? Well, we have some good news!  With a little planning ahead, these activities can make your family road trips pain-free, meltdown free, a tad bit educational and a whole lot of fun!
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Keep the Kids Busy with Online Games for Speech Therapy

Keep the Kids Busy with Online Games for Speech Therapy

Games and Activities Language Building Games Online Games
School's Out for Summer

Online Speech Therapy Games. Image source: mustgoonastashdiet.blogspot.com

School’s Out! Summer is here … ready or not! For many families with school-aged children, summer’s easy schedule is a welcome break from those early school mornings: alarm clocks, lunch-making, carpools, homework. But, for families who still crave a bit of a schedule and structure, summer can be somewhat anxiety-producing. Fear not. During the next few months, we’ll be keeping our blog chock-full of ideas for activities you can do with your children to keep them entertained (and continue that positive speech and language therapy momentum your child has made this year).

Here are some suggestions for online games for speech therapy!

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What to Expect: Your Four-Year-Old’s Speech Milestones

What to Expect: Your Four-Year-Old’s Speech Milestones

Language Development Parents' Corner Pronunciation & Lisps Speech Disorders
Your Four-Year-Old's Speech Milestones

Your Four-Year-Old’s Speech Milestones. Image source: teachtofeed.com

When it comes to speech and language skills, every child develops at a different rate. That being said, there are some generally predictable milestones that each child achieves as they grow and learn. It usually takes about 8 years for a child to master all the speech sounds in the English language.

Although there are only 26 letters in the alphabet, there are 44 distinct sounds!

According to Heidi Hanks, M.S.CCC-SLP, founder of Little Bee Speech, and the terrific website Mommy Speech Therapy, one way to determine if your child’s speech is progressing at a normal rate is using what is called “speech sound norms.” According to Heidi, speech sound norms are tools that speech language pathologists (SLP’s) use to help guide them in determining which errors are developmentally appropriate and which errors are not. There are multiple speech sound norms that are currently being used by SLP’s all around the world.

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Expedite Speech Therapy Results – Get Involved!

Parents' Corner
Expedite Speech Therapy Results

You CAN Help Expedite Speech Therapy Results – Get Involved!

Often, we are asked if parents should take an active role in the speech therapy process, or if it is best to leave all things therapy to the SLP. If a child is currently in a speech therapy regime, parents are unsure if additional practice work at home is detrimental or helpful. It is helpful! Think of it this way, if you are able to help your child overcome his or her speech disorder more quickly,  it will help boost his or her confidence and free you up to get on with your busy life.

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