What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?
By Rouzan Dishoian, MS, CCC-SLP Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. For some individuals, articulating their thoughts verbally may pose a challenge. This is where Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) comes into play, offering a lifeline to those facing communication challenges. What does AAC stand for? Augmentative and Alternative Communication AAC encompasses all […]
The Power of Imitation: How It Boosts Speech and Language Skills in Children
By Pranali Shah MS, CF SLP Imitation is a remarkable ability that plays a significant role in a child’s development. From their earliest days, children are natural mimics, imitating the sounds, gestures, and expressions of the people around them. This innate tendency to imitate is more than just cute behavior; it’s a crucial building block […]
What is Hyperlexia?
By Pranali Shah MS, CF SLP Definition and Characteristics: Hyperlexia is a term used to describe an intense interest in reading, often demonstrated by young children who can decode words and read at a level well beyond what is considered typical for their age. While hyperlexic children may exhibit advanced word recognition skills, their comprehension […]
Therapy? It looks like they’re just playing games …
Rouzan Dishoian MS, CF-SLP Speech therapy is often perceived as a fun and playful activity for young children, where they engage in games and activities that appear to be pure amusement. While therapy has a play based approach for young kiddos, it is essential to understand that speech therapy is not just play. It is […]
What is Childhood Apraxia of Speech?
By Pranali Shah MS, CF SLP Childhood Apraxia of Speech, often abbreviated as CAS, is a motor speech disorder that affects a child’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements required to speak. Unlike other speech disorders, CAS is not caused by muscle weakness or paralysis but rather by difficulties in the brain’s planning and […]
Using Music to Help Children Learn Language
By Madison Gwizdalski MS-CCC, SLP Have you ever noticed that your child’s eyes light up when they hear their favorite song? Or witnessed them jump up and down from excitement when they recognize the beginning beats of “Baby Shark”? What about the calming effects that certain lullabies will have on soothing your fussy baby? We […]
Play and language
By Madison Gwizdalski MS-CCC, SLP “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” ~ Mr. Rogers Flashcards, quizzing, educational television shows… it might seem like this would be the best way to teach our children new language concepts. But what if I told you that the best way to connect with your […]
Two Languages? I’m Worried it will Confuse my Child…
By Rouzan Dishoian MS, CF SLP One of the most common questions SLPs get from parents is “Does speaking two languages confuse my child?” We largely see this misconception in multilingual families that speaking more than one language is causing language delay in their child. However, there is no evidence to support this idea. Contrastingly, […]
Speech Sound Development
By Madison Gwizdalski MS, CCC-SLP Do you ever have a difficult time understanding what your child is saying? Do you find them making mistakes for specific sounds? Maybe those speech errors that you thought were cute when they were younger are getting…. not so cute? Let’s check out what speech sound development looks like in […]
Say What You Want Them to Say!
Rouzan Dishoian MS, CF SLP Does your child repeat long phrases after you but will not use words to communicate? This is called Echolalia. By definition, echolalia is the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences previously heard with the same exact intonation pattern. Echolalia has two types: immediate echolalia, when the child repeats the word […]