May is Early Intervention Awareness Month

Thoughts for Thursday:

Happy Thursday!! :) Please visit the Spik My Language Pinterest board through the link on the right for fun ideas and important facts and research regarding EI.

#earlyinterventioncounts

Big Things Come in Small Packages

Motivational Monday!

Happy Monday & Happy Better Hearing & Speech Month :) Today, one of my kiddos ate several pieces of new foods that he rejected a couple of days prior. This handsome little fella is on the Autism Spectrum, and a year ago lost interest in oral feeding (besides Pediasure), following a traumatic choking event. Although he still does not chew (work in progress), today during our routine lunch session, I had an epiphany to break the samples into smaller pieces…no bigger than crumb-like sizes…and viola…he ate almost all of it!! As you can imagine…mom and I were extremely elated!!! After weeks of implementing various strategies from Kay Toomey's amazing and effective Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, collaborating with his other EI providers (ABA, OT), I had to really think and pull all my tricks together, also keeping this child's individual likes and dislikes, challenges, strengths, etc. in mind to solve the sometimes frustrating and confusing puzzle that is feeding behaviors and aversion to oral feeding. Although we still have a long way to go, this is a start and huge victory. I also wanted to encourage other providers and families to be patient, keep pushing, and reach deep down and pull out all of your tricks and strategies when nothing else is working. Have a great week!! :)

April Showers…Bring May Flowers

Attention, Attention! We are in the home stretch of April, and boy has it been rainy. As we close out the month of April this week, I wanted to challenge each of you to get out in your community with your infants and toddlers and look for various types of flowers that are in bloom or in the process of blooming. Look for different colors, practice oral motor strengthening and fun by blowing the dandelions, count the sunflowers, and of course look for cherry blossoms. Make it fun!!

Functional-outcomes and strategies should be functional within the daily routine and fun

Least restrictive; the therapy session should not be confined just to the living room but to places or spaces that the family spends time or a place that may create communication challenges for the child and family (grocery store, restaurants, car, etc.)

Observe-watch the child's behavior, reactions, and interactions in various environments, what are their triggers, challenges, and/or strengths?

Wait for the child to respond to your directions or give a response, verbal or nonverbal; why would they need to speak if someone is always speaking for them or over them?

Engaging-therapy should always be engaging and fun for the child and engaging for the parent to be encouraged to participate, ask questions, etc.

Resourceful-the therapist should provide community resources, books, parent support groups, websites, blogs, etc. that may help the family generate ideas for communication stimulation, and expand their support system for coping with the disorder and or delay

March for MARCH OF DIMES

Happy Friday friends!! I have made a professional and personal goal to fundraise and bring awareness to at least one cause and/or organization per year in an effort to support numerous children and their families across the globe, and especially all of my precious kiddos. In recent years, I have completed walks and fundraising projects for Autism, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, and Cancer. This year, I wanted to support the March for Dimes which supports premature babies to lead healthy lives, and provides support for the families of this population of children. This organization touches my heart and daily life, as I work with the birth to three population, most of which are eligible and receiving early intervention services due to premature births. I just completed my registration for the walk here in Washington, D.C., which will take place on Saturday May 2nd, and wanted to encourage you all to do the same if you live in the area by registering at:

http://www.marchofdimes.org/marylandmetrodc/events/10272_3136333430.html

If you are not in the area, visit marchofdimes.org to support by walking or fundraising in a city near you!

Hope to see you there…have a fabulous weekend! :)

Oh the Places You'll Go with READING!

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY:

In honor of National Read Across America Day, I wanted to post the article written by the American Speech Hearing Association entitled “Let’s Talk”. Please click the link and read it when you have a moment. Also, don't forget to pick up at least one book a day and read a couple of pages, I promise the reward will be worth the effort!!

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/emergent-literacy/

New Year, New Goals, New Opportunities

Wednesday Word:

Happy New Year friends, families, fellow colleagues, & followers!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season :) My apologies for not posting over the holiday, as it became very chaotic and super busy. Hopefully you all were able to stop by the Spik My Language Pinterest board at some point to gather ideas for more creative language stimulation during the holiday season. This year, my resolution as an SLP who works in EI is to strive to reduce and/or climate the dreaded "only morning time works" mantra that families and teachers insist on. Don't get me wrong, majority of children, especially toddlers, are very well rested and most energized in the morning, however, we have to work together to create and provide opportunities for more language stimulation and multi-sensory approach to learning throughout the entire day from sun up to sun down. It could be through getting dressed, diaper changes, getting into the car, to making the table or helping to make dinner, it could be during lunch time, or even a trip to the grocery store. My goal is to provide intensive instruction, modeling, and facilitation on how to create language learning opportunities throughout the day in the child's typical/natural routine and especially during the most difficult and "not the best" times. Let's get to work team!! #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #EIchallenges #EISLPgoals2015

Gratefulness & Gratitude

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to all of my amazing kiddos & their wonderful families!! :)  I am so grateful to have all of you in my daily life and to be able to serve and help your children!! I hope that your holiday is full of fun, love, language learning, and laughter. #littleturkies  #gobblegobble