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4 Reasons you should choose a licensed speech-language pathologist to see YOUR child!

4 Reasons you should choose a licensed speech-language pathologist to see YOUR child!

  1. We are specially trained. All speech-language pathologists hold a masters degree, which means we have completed years of extra schooling specifically in communication disorders. This means we are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat a variety of communication disorders.
  2. In addition to our schooling, we also completed over 1,000 hours of therapy time under an already licensed SLP before we could practice on our own. This means we enter the field with a lot of great experiences under our belts!
  3. We are required to be licensed by our state to practice and most of us are also credentialed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This means we are held to high standards in our knowledge, practice and ethics.
  4. We are required to complete several hours of continuing education every year in order to keep our license and certification. This allows us to keep our knowledge and skills fresh!

If your child is receiving speech therapy, ask the right questions so you have the most qualified person helping them succeed!

 

5 Tips for Halloween for children with communication disorders

happy-halloween Halloween is right around the corner and the excitement level is rising!  Trick-or-Treating is a rite of passage for most children as they grow up.  But, if your child has a communication disorder, it might be a cause of anxiety for him or her.  Here are 5 tips to help make Halloween and Trick-or-Treating less stressful for your child with a communication disorder!

trickortreat

  1.  If your child needs help understanding what trick-or-treating is all about, create a social story or read books about Halloween as the night approaches.  This will allow your child to become familiar with the trick-or-treating routine and with Halloween-related vocabulary and phrases!
  2. If your child has a speech sound disorder and has trouble saying “trick-or-treat” clearly, practice this phrase ahead of time to see if he/she can get a close approximation.  If not, come up with your own unique phrase to use instead of “trick-or-treat!”
  3. If your child has complex communication needs and uses alternative methods of communication, add some Halloween related phrases to his/her communication system!  “trick-or-treat!” “Happy Halloween!” “boo!” or even a cute Halloween joke! “How do you make a Witch itch?”  “You take away the w!”                                                   boardmaker
  4. Help your child really prepare for trick-or-treating by practicing!  Let your child practice knocking on the door and saying trick-or-treat and thank you!
  5. If Trick-or Treating is too much for your child, consider staying home with him/her and handing out candy instead.  This still allows your child to be a part of the Halloween fun without being overwhelmed by everything that comes with trick-or-treating.

 

We hope these tips help your child prepare for and enjoy Halloween!