Want more information about speech and language development for your child?
Check out this resource guide from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Respecting Privacy in AAC
Alyssa Hillary is an autistic blogger and doctorate student in neuroscience. She’s also an author, artist, and math teacher. Alyssa recently wrote a piece about respecting privacy with AAC users. “Like most adults, I can expect people not to go through my stuff or read my communications with other people. My iPad and laptop are mine. No one touches them without my permission.” This should also be the case for AAC users. Click the link below to read more about best ways to respect privacy for AAC users of all ages.
All the Feels: 7 Books to Help Kids with Their Emotions
As speech-language pathologists, we have the opportunity to build expressive and receptive language daily. There can be a lot of new vocabulary for children when we talk about our emotions. Words like happy, sad, frustrated, angry, and scared can be just as important to teach and learn about as vocabulary for food or animals. Here are some great books to help you explore emotions with your little one at home!
Adaptive Golf That is Local and Fun!
Looking to find a sport following an injury? Why not try golf!
“The Back In the Swing (BITS) golf series works on fundamental golf skills to learn or get back to the game of golf. All abilities welcome. Staff assist with transfers, balance, swinging and golfing skills and etiquette.”
Autistic Contestant Stuns on 'America's Got Talent'
Kodi Lee, a 22-year old young man who is blind and autistic, auditioned for America’s Got Talent and stunned the judges with his performance! His audition tape has gone viral, inspiring young performers all over the world! How amazing is he?!
Speech Language Pathology Center is Now Highly Recommended!
Book Recommendation Alert! – “The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism” by by Naoki Higashida, K.A. Yoshida (Translator), David Mitchell (Translator)
“Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one, at last, have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within.
Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct words, sentences, and thoughts that he is unable to speak out loud, Naoki answers even the most delicate questions that people want to know. Questions such as: ‘Why do people with autism talk so loudly and weirdly?’ ‘Why do you line up your toy cars and blocks?’ ‘Why don’t you make eye contact when you’re talking?’ and “What’s the reason you jump?’ (Naoki’s answer: ‘When I’m jumping, it’s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.’) With disarming honesty and a generous heart, Naoki shares his unique point of view on not only autism but life itself. His insights—into the mystery of words, the wonders of laughter, and the elusiveness of memory—are so startling, so strange, and so powerful that you will never look at the world the same way again.”
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM)!
“Each May, Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment.
For 2019, our theme is "Communication Across the Lifespan." We have many resources to help you celebrate all month long. Please check back for the latest materials and information on BHSM activities.”
Ask your SLP or visit ASHA’s website to learn more! We’ll have BHSM activities all May long!
Spring Craft Ideas!
It finally feels like spring is on the way! Here are some fun crafts to do after school or on the weekends. Crafts are great for building vocabulary and an easy way to practice auditory comprehension skills. Scroll through the crafts and see which one works for your family!
Book Recommendation Alert! – “Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up” by Ellen Braaten, PhD and Brian Willoughby, PhD
“Do you find yourself constantly asking your child to "pick up the pace"? Does he or she seem to take longer than others to get stuff done—whether completing homework, responding when spoken to, or getting dressed and ready in the morning? Drs. Ellen Braaten and Brian Willoughby have worked with thousands of kids and teens who struggle with an area of cognitive functioning called "processing speed," and who are often mislabeled as lazy or unmotivated. Filled with vivid stories and examples, this crucial resource demystifies processing speed and shows how to help kids (ages 5 to 18) catch up in this key area of development. Helpful practical tools can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8½" x 11" size. Learn how to obtain needed support at school, what to expect from a professional evaluation, and how you can make daily routines more efficient—while promoting your child's social and emotional well-being.”
Get your copy below! And if you feel this describes your child, reach out to SLP Center to discuss!
Autism Eats at Mia Regazza, Marshfield on May 15!
Autism Eats is back on the South Shore to enjoy a delicious spring dinner, join us! A BIG thank you to Treasurers of Our Hearts and Mia Regazza.
Reservations are required at www.autismeats.org
Date: May 15, 2019
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Mia Regazza
Address: 1 Proprietors Drive
Marshfield, MA 02050
April Vacation - We're Open!
Note to families! Next week is April vacation for most school systems, but our office will be open and operating normal business hours. If you need any changes to your schedule, please let us know!
Happy Spring!
Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month in April!
Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month
“April is Autism Acceptance Month and we are looking forward to celebrating. We will amplify autistic voices by sharing resources and blogs written by the autistic community. As always, we welcome your input so please send us any suggestions you have. We are also very excited to announce a 4 day discount. Proloquo2Go, Proloquo4Text, Pictello, Keeble, and Gateway will all be 50% off.
Save the date!
The 50% discount will be in effect worldwide from Tuesday April 2 to Friday April 5. No need to fill in a discount code - you’ll see the discounted amount in the App Store.”
"Meet The Therapists" Series - Sara!
Welcome to our “Meet the Therapists” series! We love to hear about our clients' interests and activities outside of speech therapy, and we thought you'd enjoy hearing a few fun facts about us! Meet Sara! Sara has been with the company since September of 2014. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. Read on to find out more about Sara:
Where are you from? - Born and raised in Billerica, MA. After graduate school, I continued to live on the North Shore until 2014 when I got this job and became a South Shore gal!
What do you like most about Boston? - I like everything about Boston! The sports teams, the food, the views, the museums, the vibe… I grew up visiting the city regularly and I love it.
How did you decide to become an SLP? - If I’m being honest, I decided to become an SLP by accident. I began college with a different path in mind, but I took a few classes in Communication Disorders, just to fill requirements and ended up loving it! A few classes lead to a few more and I was hooked in no time! I’m so happy I stumbled upon this field.
What are your professional areas of interest? - The thing I love about this field is that it’s ever-changing! I’ve developed a stronger interest in working with language, AAC, cognition, and swallowing/feeding.
What do you like to do in your free time? - I like to read, cook, go to the beach (even in January), kick box, and hang out with my family and dog!
What is your favorite food? - Ice cream, no contest. Any flavor, any time. Absolute favorite – waffle cone with black raspberry ice cream and chocolate sprinkles!
What is an interesting fact about yourself? - I can touch my nose with my tongue.
We hope you've enjoyed getting to know Sara! Check back soon to learn more about our other therapists!
Note to Families: We will be OPEN!
We hope you and your families weathered the storm!
SLP Center is OPEN today - Monday, March 4, 2019.
Give us a call if you have any questions or concerns!
Indoor Activities
It feels like we’re in the final stretch of winter here on the South Shore! However, while the sun is not quite shining and we still have snow on the ground we thought we’d give you some suggestions for fun and language rich indoor activities for these final weeks. We thoroughly enjoy scavenger hunts and the alphabet game here at the SLP Center but take a look and see what your family would love!
"Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s "
“Ever since he was young, John Robison longed to connect with other people, but by the time he was a teenager, his odd habits—an inclination to blurt out non sequiturs, avoid eye contact, dismantle radios, and dig five-foot holes (and stick his younger brother, Augusten Burroughs, in them)—had earned him the label “social deviant.” It was not until he was forty that he was diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome. That understanding transformed the way he saw himself—and the world. A born storyteller, Robison has written a moving, darkly funny memoir about a life that has taken him from developing exploding guitars for KISS to building a family of his own. It’s a strange, sly, indelible account—sometimes alien yet always deeply human.”
Winter Break Activity – Children’s Winter Festival
Need to get out of the house this winter break? Go to the Boston Children’s Winter Festival on Wednesday, February 20th. The festival will be held at Boston Commons, with activities starting at 10 AM.
“Among the attractions will the 45-foot-long Toboggan Tunnel mountainous adventure with twin roller lanes, the 30-foot-high inflatable Everest Climb N Slide, a Ski Lift photo op, and much more. In addition, the Highland Street Foundation is sponsoring a week-long Winter Camp at the Boston Common Frog Pond with free skating and rentals for all ages from Monday, February 18, through Friday, February 22.”
Send a Valentine's Day Message to Boston Children's Hospital
This Valentine’s Day consider sending warm wishes to a child and family who will be spending their day at Boston Children’s Hospital. These children will miss the parties at school and with their classmates/friends. Simply pick a design, write a message if you’d like, and sign your name! All e-cards will be displayed and shared with the children and families on February 14th!
"Picky" Teens and Feeding Therapy
Most people typically associate “picky eating” with young children, but what happens if your child never grows out of these habits? Feeding therapy is an appropriate avenue, regardless of age! In this article, Katja Rowell, MD, and Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC/SLP, CLC, explore some techniques for parents to assist their teens with regards to their picky eating habits.
If you have a picky teenager and want to explore feeding therapy options, don’t hesitate to call our office to inquire at 781-792-2700!