Understanding Expressive Language Disorder: A Guide for Parents

Why Schools Need Speech Therapy Training for Teachers | Nobles Speech Therapy

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:52:16 GMT

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Many educators encounter students who struggle to express themselves clearly. These challenges—ranging from speech delays and stuttering to language comprehension issues—can hinder classroom participation, social confidence, and academic success. Nobles Speech Therapy offers engaging, practical workshops that equip your staff with the tools they need to support every student’s voice.

The Communication Crisis in Classrooms

Communication disorders are more common than many realize. Nearly 1 in 12 U.S. children ages 3–17 has experienced a voice, speech, or language disorder in the past year ( NIDCD ). These issues can disrupt reading development, peer interactions, and participation in group activities.

Educators are often the first to notice communication struggles—but most receive little to no training on how to respond effectively ( Getting Smart ).

A 2024 report from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, published in JAMA, highlights that children with speech or language delays may be at increased risk for literacy challenges, behavioral problems, and long-term academic difficulties ( USPSTF, JAMA, 2024 ).

What Speech Therapy Training Actually Is

This training is not about turning teachers into speech therapists. It’s about giving them the tools to:

Recognize early signs of speech and language delays
Support students during daily classroom routines
Communicate effectively with families about concerns
Know when and how to recommend further evaluation

These are real-world, actionable strategies tailored for general and special education environments.

Who This Training Is For

Nobles Speech Therapy PD sessions are designed for educators and staff working with:

Preschool – Early childhood educators and aides
Elementary (K–5) – Classroom teachers, reading specialists, SPED staff
Support Staff – Paraprofessionals, instructional aides, speech aides

Our primary focus is on students ages 3–11 , where early recognition and support can make the greatest impact.

Who Benefits

Teachers gain confidence and clarity on how to support speech and language needs
Students feel heard, included, and more capable of expressing themselves
Families are better supported with consistent messaging from school and home
Administrators see better learning outcomes and improved staff preparedness

What Makes Nobles Speech Therapy Different

All training is led by Myles Nobles, M.S., CCC-SLP , a certified pediatric speech-language pathologist who works directly with children from ages 2 to 18. Sessions are fun, interactive, and grounded in classroom realities—not just theory.

Myles brings patience, clarity, and a strong rapport with both educators and children, making even complex topics feel accessible and actionable.

Common Signs Teachers Should Recognize

Training helps educators identify subtle early warning signs such as:

Limited vocabulary or short sentence use

Difficulty following instructions

Trouble organizing thoughts or telling stories

Persistent mispronunciation or disfluency

Avoidance of verbal participation in class

Recognizing these signs in the classroom is often the first step in supporting students more effectively.

What Teachers Say About Our Speech Therapy Training

What’s Next?

If you're just beginning to explore how to better support your students' communication skills, you're in the right place.

Ready to get a quote or schedule a session?

Empower Your Team. Support Every Student’s Voice.

Your educators want to help every child succeed—but they need the right tools to do so. Nobles Speech Therapy helps schools give their staff the confidence and training to support students with speech and language needs.

Let’s build stronger communication foundations—together.

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Expressive vs. Receptive Language Disorder: What’s the Difference?

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:34:23 GMT

Struggling to understand why your child has trouble expressing or understanding words? Learn how these language disorders differ—and what help is available.

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If you're raising a child with autism , you've likely found yourself learning a lot about speech and language. You may have heard the term expressive language disorder from a therapist, teacher, or doctor. And now, you're trying to understand what it means, especially when your child also has trouble understanding what others say. Sorting through terms like receptive vs expressive language can be overwhelming, but learning the difference is a decisive first step in helping your child thrive.

Language skills don't just help your child talk; they build connections, confidence, and independence. When your child has trouble with expressive or receptive language, everyday communication becomes a challenge. Knowing the signs of each can help you advocate for your child with confidence and clarity.

What Is Receptive Language?

Receptive language refers to the ability to understand words and messages from others. For a child, this means grasping what is said in a conversation, following directions, and connecting new words to their meaning. When your child has trouble in this area, they may hear you but not fully understand your message. You might see signs like:

Difficulty following instructions, even simple ones
Limited response to questions or conversations
Seeming distracted or confused during group activities
Frustration when too many people are talking at once

Your child may appear to be "tuning out," but the issue isn't about paying attention. It's about how their brain processes language input and that's something that can be strengthened with support.

What Is Expressive Language?

Expressive language is how your child communicates their thoughts, feelings, and needs. This includes using words correctly, forming coherent sentences, and organizing ideas in a logical order. Children with expressive language challenges may know what they want to say but struggle to articulate their thoughts. You may notice:

Short, incomplete sentences
Repetition or searching for words
Trouble asking questions or naming things
Fewer words are used than their peers

As a parent, you understand the heartache of witnessing your child struggle to express themselves. This frustration can lead to meltdowns or withdrawal, especially when they feel misunderstood.

Receptive vs Expressive Language: What to Watch For

Both types of language difficulties affect how your child interacts with the world. When you're sorting

through receptive vs expressive language symptoms, it helps to break it down clearly.

Receptive Language Challenges:

Doesn't follow directions
Trouble understanding questions
Seems confused by stories or explanations
Gives off-topic or blank responses
Struggles to learn new vocabulary

Expressive Language Challenges:

Has a hard time forming sentences
Struggles to name objects or actions
Uses fewer words than expected for their age
Repeats words or pauses often when speaking
Has trouble retelling events or ideas

If your child shows symptoms in both columns, they may be experiencing what's called a mixed receptive-expressive language disorder. This is common in children with autism and often appears early in life. Getting help early can reduce frustration and open up new ways for your child to connect with the people around them.

How Speech Therapy Can Help

Regardless of where your child starts from, speech therapy can support them. At Nobles Speech Therapy, we work with families every day who are navigating expressive receptive language disorder in young children. Each session is built around your child's strengths, interests, and current level of communication. For receptive language, therapy might include:

Games that teach listening and attention skills
Visual supports to reinforce understanding
Practice with following multi-step directions
For expressive language, we focus on:
Building vocabulary through play and routine
Modeling complete sentences during back-and-forth conversation
Using gestures, visuals, or AAC devices when needed

Your child won't be forced to perform. Instead, our goal is to meet them where they are and offer support that grows with them. You'll also get tips and activities to use at home so progress continues beyond the therapy room.

What if Your Child Has Both?

When your child struggles with both understanding and speaking, they may feel stuck. They want to connect with you, but something gets in the way. That's why we take a whole-child approach, focusing on building trust, connection, and language one small win at a time.

You'll never have to figure it out alone. Our therapists will guide you through each step, explain your child's progress, and adjust the plan when they are ready for more. With consistent and compassionate support, your child can make significant gains in communication and confidence.

Every Child Deserves a Voice

You're already doing so much by looking for answers. Understanding the difference between receptive and expressive language is a powerful way to support your child's growth. At Nobles Speech Therapy, we believe every child deserves to feel understood and heard.

We'd love to help you take the next step. Learn more by visiting our Expressive Language Therapy and Receptive Language Therapy pages today.

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When Should You Seek Help for a Child Who Stutters? Signs to Watch For

Tue, 27 May 2025 08:55:32 GMT

Here’s how to recognize the signs and know when to seek professional help—because early support can make all the difference.

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When Should You Seek Help for a Child Who Stutters? Signs to Watch For

If your child repeats sounds or struggles to get words out, it’s natural to feel concerned. You might wonder if this is just a normal part of learning to talk or something that needs more attention. The truth is, that many kids go through phases of stuttering, especially during early language development . But in some cases, it’s more than just a passing phase.

Knowing when to seek professional support for stuttering can make all the difference. This guide will help you spot the signs and understand your options so you can support your child with confidence.

What Is Stuttering?

Stuttering is a speech disorder that interrupts the natural flow of speech . It can show up as repeated sounds or syllables, stretched-out sounds, or getting stuck completely, where no sound comes out at all.

Some disfluencies are a normal part of development. Young kids often repeat themselves or pause awkwardly while they’re trying to figure out what to say. But if those disruptions happen often, cause frustration, or don’t improve over time, they could be signs of persistent stuttering in children.

That’s when it’s time to consider reaching out for help.

Early Signs to Watch For

Noticing patterns in your child’s speech can help you decide whether to wait or take the next step. Keep an ear out for these common signs:

Repetition of Sounds, Syllables, or Words

You might hear your child say “b-b-b-ball” or “I-I-I want that.” While occasional repetition is normal, frequent or escalating patterns are worth noting.

Prolonged Sounds

Sounds that stretch longer than expected—like “sssssnake” or “mmmmmilk” can indicate difficulty with speech timing or coordination.

Physical Tension or Facial Strain

Look at your child’s face while they’re speaking.

Do you notice tightness in their lips, jaw, or neck?

Do they tense up or push hard to get a word out? These physical signs are important clues.

Avoiding Speaking Situations

If your child starts avoiding certain words or pulls back from conversations, it may be because speaking has become stressful or frustrating.

When to Seek Help

It’s not always easy to know when to move from “wait and see” to “let’s get support.”

Here are some signs it’s time to talk with a professional:

Stuttering lasts longer than 6 months
If the issue doesn’t improve with time, it’s smart to get an evaluation.
The stutter gets more severe
If it’s becoming more frequent, noticeable, or frustrating for your child, early intervention can help.
Your child shows emotional distress or avoids speaking
Tears, tantrums, or silence in social situations are red flags that communication is becoming a source of anxiety.
There’s a family history of stuttering.

If stuttering runs in your family, your child might be at higher risk for persistent speech issues.

The earlier you get support, the more progress your child can make before the frustration builds.

What Happens in Stuttering Therapy?

When you reach out for help, a speech therapist will take a close look at your child’s communication skills. They’ll assess speech patterns , muscle coordination, and how your child feels about talking. From there, they’ll create a personalized plan.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to stuttering speech therapy . Some kids benefit from fluency shaping, where they learn smoother speech techniques from the ground up. Others respond better to stuttering modification , which focuses on reducing tension and building comfort with speech.

These two approaches, fluency shaping vs. stuttering modification, are often blended to match what works best for each child. A therapist may also adjust techniques over time based on progress and confidence.

Supporting Your Child at Home

While therapy helps build skills, your support at home is just as powerful. The way you listen, respond, and encourage makes a lasting impact.

Here’s how you can help:

Speak slowly and calmly

Model the kind of speech you want to hear; unrushed, relaxed, and gentle.

Be patient

Let your child finish their thoughts without jumping in or correcting them.

Focus on the message, not the stutter

React to what they’re saying, not how they’re saying it. That helps reduce pressure.

Create a low-pressure environment

Keep conversations fun and stress-free. Don’t make speaking feel like a test.

It’s important to remember that your support builds confidence, and confidence often leads to better communication.

Early Support Can Change Everything

If you’re asking yourself whether it’s time to seek help, you’re already taking the right step. Trust your instincts. When speech becomes a struggle, professional guidance can make a world of difference.

Early intervention gives your child the tools to speak more clearly and feel more confident. And that confidence? It changes how they interact with the world and how they see themselves.

Explore how we support children and families through compassionate, customized therapy. You don’t have to wait and worry about this issue; you can take action today.

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5 Signs Your Child Might Benefit from PROMPT Speech Therapy

Mon, 26 May 2025 08:34:17 GMT

Learn 5 telltale signs that your child may benefit from this tactile-kinesthetic approach to speech therapy—especially if they face autism or apraxia challenges.

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If you're looking for ways to help your child communicate more confidently, you might've come across PROMPT speech therapy . Short for ‘Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets,’ this approach is different from traditional methods. It uses gentle touch cues to guide the muscles used in speech, which helps kids build the motor control needed for clearer communication.

Figuring out whether PROMPT is a good fit for your child can be a challenge. You may notice speech issues, but aren't sure what they mean or what kind of support will actually help. Let’s break down how PROMPT works and which signs might suggest it's the right path forward.

What Makes PROMPT Therapy Different?

Unlike typical speech therapy that relies mostly on verbal instruction, PROMPT uses tactile cues on the face and neck to guide movements of the jaw, lips, and tongue. The therapist physically supports your child in making the correct movements needed for speech sounds.

PROMPT is recognized as an evidence-based treatment method for children with motor speech disorders , offering a unique tactile-kinesthetic approach. It’s not just about repetition; it’s about teaching the body how to move in a way that allows speech to happen naturally. This method can be especially helpful for children with motor planning issues or muscle coordination difficulties, because it targets both the physical and cognitive parts of speech.

5 Signs Your Child May Benefit from PROMPT Therapy

If you're wondering whether PROMPT could help your child, here are five key signs to watch for:

Limited Verbal Expression

If your child uses very few words or doesn’t speak much at all, they might need support developing the muscle control for speech. PROMPT helps build those movements, even when other therapies haven’t made much progress.

Kids who are nonverbal or minimally verbal often respond well to PROMPT because it gives them physical tools to produce sounds they’ve struggled to form on their own.

Struggles with Motor Planning (Apraxia)

Children with apraxia or other motor planning challenges may know exactly what they want to say, but can’t coordinate the muscles needed to say it. That disconnect can be frustrating for everyone involved.

Prompt therapy speech techniques are designed to address this by guiding your child through the exact movements needed for specific sounds. The physical support helps teach their muscles to follow the correct patterns, improving clarity over time.

Difficulty Imitating Sounds

If your child listens attentively but can’t quite copy the sounds you’re making, that’s a sign they may need more than verbal instruction. You might notice them trying, but the sounds don’t come out the way they should.

Prompting speech therapy methods go a step beyond imitation. By using touch cues, the therapist helps your child physically feel what it’s like to make the right sound. This can make all the difference for kids who don’t respond to “say what I say” strategies.

Trouble Forming Words Despite Understanding

Sometimes kids understand everything that’s said to them, but still can’t speak in return. They may use gestures or facial expressions instead of words. Some even get upset because they know what they want to say, but can’t express it.

PROMPT helps connect comprehension with expression by focusing on how to shape the sounds physically. Once the body learns the right movements, speech often becomes more automatic and less frustrating for both the child and the parent.

Frustration When Trying to Communicate

Communication should feel empowering, but for many k ids with speech challenges, it feels like a constant struggle. If your child gets upset, shuts down, or avoids speaking altogether, it might be because talking feels too hard.

PROMPT sessions are designed to reduce that frustration. Each success, no matter how small, builds confidence. And as your child gains control over their speech, you’ll likely see their self-esteem grow alongside their words.

PROMPT Therapy and Autism: A Strong Match

PROMPT speech therapy is especially effective for children on the autism spectrum, who may face both motor planning issues and social communication challenges . Because it’s a hands-on approach, PROMPT addresses multiple barriers at once.

Rather than relying solely on language comprehension, the therapist guides your child through speech physically, helping them find a voice they may have struggled to access through traditional methods. For many autistic kids, PROMPT becomes a breakthrough tool for both speech and confidence.

What to Expect from a PROMPT-Based Session

Here are some things you can expect from the therapist during a typical session:

Gently touch your child’s jaw, lips, and tongue to guide movement
Use structured exercises that target specific sounds or word shapes
Reduce the level of touch gradually as your child gains control and independence
Sessions are dynamic and individualized. A therapist may also use a prompting hierarchy speech therapy model to decide which cues to give and how to adjust them over time. This keeps your child moving forward while building on what they’ve already learned.

Is PROMPT Right for Your Child?

PROMPT is often a great fit for kids who:

Have trouble producing specific speech sounds
Experience motor planning issues like apraxia
Get frustrated while trying to speak
Haven’t made progress with other types of speech therapy

The best way to know if it’s the right fit is to consult with a certified PROMPT therapist . They’ll assess your child’s needs and explain whether this approach could help move them forward.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're seeing signs that your child may benefit from PROMPT speech therapy, you’re not alone. Many parents have felt the same way and have seen real breakthroughs after finding the right support.

Learn more about how PROMPT therapy can help by visiting our Speech Therapy for Autism page today.

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How Educators Can Maximize Myles Nobles’ Children's Author Visits

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 07:58:04 GMT

Strategies to Prepare, Engage, and Extend the Learning Experience During a Children's Author School Visit

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There’s a palpable buzz in the air when a children’s author school visit i s on the horizon—and if you’re preparing for a visit from Myles Nobles, you’re in for an engaging, educational treat! Myles isn’t just an author; he’s a passionate speech-language pathologist dedicated to boosting literacy and communication skills through the magic of storytelling. Here’s your comprehensive guide to ensuring that his visit leaves a lasting impact on your students.

Who Is Myles Nobles?

Myles Nobles wears many hats. As a celebrated children’s author and experienced speech-language pathologi st , he combines storytelling with innovative language and literacy activities. His books, brimming with vibrant characters and engaging narratives, spark young imaginations and encourage a love for reading. Whether he’s demonstrating interactive storytelling techniques or leading creative language exercises, Myles’ dynamic approach transforms traditional classroom experiences into interactive learning adventures.

What to Expect During the Visit

When Myles Nobles visits your school, you can look forward to a series of engaging activities that are sure to captivate students:

Interactive Storytelling

Myles brings his books to life, engaging students with animated readings and vivid illustrations.

Language & Speech Activities

Expect fun, hands-on exercises designed to boost literacy and speech skills—perfect for reinforcing classroom learning.

Q&A Session

Myles encourages curious minds to ask questions, making it an excellent opportunity for students to connect with the creative process behind writing.

Book Signings & Meet-and-Greet

If scheduled, these sessions allow students to get up close and personal with the author, creating memorable moments.

Each element is carefully designed to not only entertain but also to reinforce critical reading and communication skills, making this an ideal example of children’s author school visits that combine fun and education.

How Educators Can Prepare Students for the Visit

Preparation is key to ensuring that students make the most of Myles Nobles’ visit. Here are several strategies to get your class ready:

Introduce Myles’ Books in Advance

Read one or more of Myles Nobles’ books with your class ahead of time. Discuss the characters, plot, and themes to set the stage for his visit.

Discuss the Role of an Author

Explain what an author does, emphasizing that authors are storytellers who can bring imagination to life. This helps demystify the creative process for students.

Encourage Question Preparation

Invite students to brainstorm questions they’d like to ask Myles. This could range from inquiries about his writing process to what inspires his characters. Having a list prepared will make the Q&A session more dynamic and interactive.

Incorporate Related Lessons

Connect Myles Nobles’ work to your existing curriculum. Whether through creative writing exercises, speech and language activities, or literacy development lessons, integrating these themes can make the visit even more relevant.

Engaging Students During the Visit

Once Myles is in your classroom, it’s essential to maintain an atmosphere of active learning and engagement:

Set Participation Expectations:

Encourage active listening and respectful participation. Let students know that their engagement will make the visit even more rewarding for everyone.

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere:

A warm, inviting environment helps both the author and students feel at ease. This can lead to richer interactions and more insightful discussions.

Facilitate the Q&A Session:

As the educator, guide the session by encouraging thoughtful questions. Remind students to listen carefully and build on each other’s ideas.

By fostering an interactive environment, you help students not only absorb the content but also build confidence in expressing their thoughts and questions.

Extending the Learning Experience After the Visit

The excitement doesn’t have to end when Myles Nobles leaves your school. Here are some ideas to extend the impact of his visit:

Reflect and Discuss

Host a classroom discussion where students share what they learned and what inspired them. This reflection helps cement new knowledge and personal insights.

Continue Reading His Books

Encourage students to explore more of Myles Nobles’ works. Create a reading challenge or book club to keep the literary momentum going.

Inspire Creative Writing & Storytelling

Use the visit as a springboard for creative projects. Invite students to write their own stories, perhaps even in the style of Myles Nobles, or create art inspired by his characters.

Incorporate Speech & Language Activities

Utilize exercises from the visit in subsequent lessons. Activities that focus on interactive storytelling, vocabulary building, or creative expression can reinforce the skills highlighted during the event.

Conclusion

A visit from Myles Nobles is more than just a special event—it’s an opportunity to ignite a lifelong passion for reading and communication in your students. By preparing effectively before the visit, engaging actively during the event, and extending the learning experience afterward, educators can transform a simple author visit into a dynamic educational experience.

Ready to inspire your students with the magic of storytelling? Check out our books and resources to continue the journey of literacy development. Let’s make every children’s author school visit a memorable and enriching experience!

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Children’s Author School Visits: What Parents Should Know

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:00:52 GMT

Discover what to expect from Myles Nobles’ engaging school visits and how to spark your child’s love for reading and creativity.

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Welcome! Myles Nobles Is Coming to Your Child’s School

We’re thrilled that Myles Nobles will be visiting your child’s school soon! If you’re wondering what to expect and how to get your little one ready for an unforgettable experience, you’re in the right place. This guide is designed with parents in mind—offering a friendly overview of what happens during a Myles Nobles school visit and some tips to keep the magic of storytelling alive long after the event.

Who Is Myles Nobles?

Myles Nobles isn’t your ordinary children’s author. With a dual background as a speech-language pathologist and storyteller, Myles infuses every visit with fun, interactive moments that boost both literacy and communication skills. His heartfelt passion for storytelling shines through in every book he writes and every activity he leads.

A Unique Blend of Skills: Myles’ experience as a speech therapist means he knows just how to engage young minds and encourage clear, confident communication.
Interactive Storytelling Magic: More than just reading a book aloud, Myles brings stories to life with dynamic voice changes, expressive gestures, and creative activities that invite kids to be part of the adventure.
Inspiring a Love for Reading: His visits are all about making reading fun and accessible—turning every session into a memorable, educational, and enjoyable experience for every child.

What Happens During a Myles Nobles School Visit?

When Myles visits a school, he creates a lively, interactive atmosphere that goes far beyond the traditional storytime. Here’s a peek at what your child can look forward to:

Interactive Storytelling

Imagine a story coming to life right before your child’s eyes! Myles uses engaging techniques—like expressive voices, fun sound effects, and plenty of movement—to draw kids into the narrative. It’s storytelling with a twist that keeps every child involved and excited.

Fun Language & Speech Activities

Thanks to his background in speech therapy, Myles includes playful activities that help boost language and speech skills. Think of it as learning disguised as fun:

Word Games: Simple yet exciting games that expand vocabulary and quick thinking.
Pronunciation Challenges: Light-hearted exercises that make practicing words a fun challenge.
Interactive Dialogues: Moments when kids get to be a part of the story, encouraging them to speak up and share their thoughts.

Q&A Sessions

Curiosity is always encouraged! After the storytelling, Myles opens the floor to questions, letting kids ask about the story, his creative process, or even tips on becoming a storyteller themselves. It’s a great opportunity for young minds to explore and learn in a supportive environment.

Meet-and-Greet and Book Signings

Depending on the schedule, your child might get a chance to meet Myles in person and even have a book signed. These personal touches can make the day even more special, creating lasting memories of an inspiring encounter.

How to Prepare Your Child for the Visit

A little preparation at home can make all the difference in how much your child enjoys the visit. Here are some easy and fun ideas:

Read a Myles Nobles Book Together

If you have a chance, pick up one of Myles’ children's speech therapy books and read it with your child before the visit. Familiarity with the story and characters builds excitement and gives your child something to look forward to.

Spark Their Curiosity

Chat with your child about what they think the story might be about or what they’d love to ask Myles. Simple questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “If you could ask the author anything, what would it be?” can really get their imagination going.

Talk About the Joy of Storytelling

Share why storytelling is so magical. Explain how stories can take us on adventures, teach us new things, and even help us speak more clearly. This conversation can help your child see the visit as an opportunity to grow and learn while having fun.

Keeping the Magic Alive After the Visit

The excitement doesn’t have to end when the school day is over! Here are a few ideas to help your child continue the adventure at home:

Discuss the Experience

After the visit, ask your child about their favorite parts. What story moment made them laugh? What did they learn from the Q&A? These discussions help reinforce their learning and keep the excitement alive.

Dive Back into the Books

Encourage your child to re-read the books they heard during the visit. The more they read, the more confident they become with words and ideas—and the more they appreciate the power of storytelling.

Encourage Their Own Stories

Inspire your child to create their own stories. Whether it’s drawing pictures, writing a short story, or even just telling a family tale at dinner, these creative moments can help build strong literacy skills and a lifelong love for reading.

In Conclusion

Myles Nobles’ school visits aren’t just about listening to a story—they’re about experiencing the magic of storytelling firsthand. By blending interactive activities with genuine care for each child’s learning, Myles creates a welcoming space where every child can thrive. With a little preparation and follow-up at home, you can help ensure that the impact of his visit continues to inspire and educate long after the day is over.

So, get ready to join in the fun! Explore Myles Nobles’ books, share the excitement with your child, and prepare for a school visit that turns every page into an adventure.

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10 Effective Speech Therapy Activities for Children with Autism

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:10:28 GMT

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Engaging Speech Therapy Activities to Foster Communication for Children with Autism

Speech therapy for children with autism is essential in helping them develop communication skills. As a parent, you want to find engaging and effective strategies to support your child’s speech and language growth. This post highlights ten impactful speech therapy activities you can do at home, designed to support your child’s communication journey in ways that are both fun and practical.

1. Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) helps children communicate using pictures. This system is particularly useful for non-verbal children and helps bridge the gap to verbal communication.

2. Imitation Games

Imitation games are great for teaching children how to communicate through actions and words. You can use simple games like clapping your hands or making a funny face, then encouraging your child to copy you. These activities for autism speech therapy help your child learn to follow instructions and improve their awareness of others.

Imitation is a core skill that supports both speech development and social interactions. By mimicking your movements, your child is learning to observe and respond, which plays a key role in their overall communication growth.

3. Songs with Actions

Singing songs that include actions can be a fun and engaging way to promote language activities for autistic children. Songs like "Wheels on the Bus" or "If You're Happy and You Know It" involve both singing and physical movements, which help children learn to connect words with actions.

This activity is highly interactive and supports both verbal and non-verbal children. While singing, you can also pause and encourage your child to fill in the blanks. Even if they can’t verbally respond, they can point or use gestures, which is another form of communication.

4. Joint Attention Activities

Joint attention is the ability to focus on an object or activity with another person. It’s an important skill in autism speech development. You can encourage joint attention through activities like pointing at pictures in a book or playing with a toy together.

During these interactions, talk about what you're both focusing on. This promotes shared communication and gives your child opportunities to practice both listening and responding. This type of activity helps build social communication skills by teaching your child how to engage in conversations with others.

5. Turn-Taking Games

Games that involve taking turns, such as rolling a ball back and forth or playing with blocks, help improve social skills in children with autism. Turn-taking is a fundamental part of communication, and these games give your child a structured way to practice this skill.

You can say “my turn” and “your turn” while playing to emphasize the exchange. Over time, your child will start to understand that conversations, like games, involve taking turns speaking and listening. This is a great at-home speech therapy technique for helping children understand conversational flow.

6. Sensory Bins

Sensory bins filled with objects like rice, beans, or water beads can offer a tactile and visual way to engage your child in speech therapy activities for children with autism. As your child plays with the sensory bin, you can introduce new vocabulary by describing the objects they find, such as “soft,” “hard,” or “smooth.”

You can also hide small toys or pictures inside the sensory bin, prompting your child to name or request the objects as they find them. This activity is not only fun but also builds language skills through sensory exploration.

7. Using Visual Schedules

Children with autism often thrive with structure and predictability. A visual schedule can help them understand what’s happening next, making it easier for them to transition between activities. This is particularly useful when incorporating speech therapy activities into their daily routine.

By using pictures to represent different tasks or parts of the day, you can help your child learn new words and phrases related to their schedule. Over time, they’ll start to associate these images with spoken words, supporting their speech development .

8. Social Stories

Social stories are short, simple narratives that describe social situations and expected behaviors. You can create a social story tailored to your child’s needs, such as “Going to the Park” or “Taking Turns in Conversation.” These stories help children with autism understand social interactions and can be a helpful autism communication strategy.

You can read the social story together and talk about the actions and feelings of the characters. This helps your child learn about different social scenarios and prepares them for real-life interactions, making it an effective tool for improving social skills in children with autism.

9. Interactive Books

Interactive books that encourage your child to participate can be highly effective in speech therapy for children with autism. Look for books with flaps to lift, textures to feel, or repetitive phrases. These books hold your child’s attention and invite them to engage with the content.

As you read together, you can ask questions or make comments to encourage conversation. Even simple responses, like pointing to a picture or making a sound, help develop communication skills. Interactive books create opportunities for back-and-forth communication, which is a key part of autism-friendly communication exercises.

10. Bubble Play

Blowing bubbles can be an unexpected yet highly effective speech therapy tool. You can use bubble play to prompt your child to make requests or use simple words like “more” or “again.” You can also model new words related to bubbles, such as “big,” “pop,” or “up.”

This fun activity engages your child and provides them with an immediate reason to communicate. Bubbles are visually stimulating and exciting, which helps maintain your child’s interest in the activity while promoting speech and language development.

Helping Your Child with Speech Therapy at Home

These activities are designed to fit easily into your daily routine, providing practical ways to encourage communication development while keeping your child engaged and entertained. Whether you’re using imitation games, PECS, or sensory bins, these techniques can help build essential speech and social skills in children with autism.

Discover More Strategies to Support Your Child’s Communication Development

Ready to explore more ways to support your child’s speech and language development? Visit our Speech Therapy for Autism page to learn about additional strategies, therapies, and professional support tailored to children with autism.

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Howard County Partnership

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 05:52:19 GMT

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Key Takeaways:

Nobles Speech Therapy partners with Howard County CAC to provide early speech interventions for preschoolers .
Individualized therapy will be available twice weekly for 12 weeks at five CAC Learning Centers in Howard County.
Initial screenings are conducted by University of Maryland specialists to identify communication challenges.
Early intervention helps improve communication skills , academic performance , and social development .
Parents are encouraged to contact CAC Learning Centers to schedule screenings and enroll their children.

Comprehensive Speech Therapy Services for Early Childhood Development

In an exciting new partnership, Nobles Speech Therapy and the Howard County Community Action Council (CAC) have joined forces to provide much-needed speech and language services for preschool children at CAC Learning Centers. This collaboration delivers essential early intervention to support young children struggling with speech development, aiming to enhance their communication skills and overall growth.

Addressing Speech and Language Delays Early

Many children face challenges with speech and language during their preschool years. Whether it's difficulties in articulation , fluency , or social communication , these challenges can affect a child's ability to express themselves, socialize with peers, and thrive academically. Without early intervention, these issues may persist into later childhood and beyond, making it more difficult for the child to catch up developmentally.

Recognizing this need, Nobles Speech Therapy and Howard County CAC are partnering to bring specialized support directly to the children and families who need it most. This initiative aims to ensure that children in the Howard County community receive the help they need early on, giving them the foundation to succeed in school and life.

What the Partnership Offers

Children enrolled in CAC Learning Centers will have access to individualized speech therapy services as part of this partnership.

Here's how the program works:

Initial Screenings by University of Maryland Specialists: Every child participating in the program will first undergo a comprehensive speech and language screening conducted by experts from the University of Maryland. These screenings will identify any communication challenges the child is experiencing and determine the appropriate level of intervention.

Intervention by Myles Nobles: Nobles Speech Therapy will provide hands-on therapy following the screenings. Myles Nobles, the lead speech-language pathologist at Nobles Speech Therapy, will address each child's needs. Therapy sessions will occur twice weekly for 12 weeks, allowing ample opportunity for meaningful progress.

The therapy will focus on helping children improve their articulation, fluency, and overall communication skills. By tailoring interventions to each child's unique challenges, Nobles Speech Therapy ensures that every child receives the attention and care necessary to overcome their difficulties.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Preschool is a critical period for speech and language development . According to research from Harvard University, the brain is most adaptable during the early years of life, particularly before the age of five . During this time, children's brains form neural connections rapidly, making acquiring speech and language skills easier. Early intervention helps take advantage of this developmental window, allowing for more significant improvements in communication compared to interventions introduced later in life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further emphasizes that children who receive early intervention for speech and language delays are more likely to succeed academically and socially . Without early intervention, children may struggle with communication, affecting their performance in school and their ability to interact with peers. These challenges can have long-term consequences, potentially leading to difficulties in reading, writing, and building relationships later in life.

Early intervention programs, such as those offered through the Nobles Speech Therapy partnership with Howard County CAC, provide children with the tools to overcome communication barriers before these challenges become more deeply ingrained. By identifying and addressing issues early on, these interventions can improve confidence, better social interactions, and stronger academic performance.

What Parents Can Expect

Parents of children enrolled in CAC Learning Centers can expect a highly personalized and collaborative approach to speech therapy. After the initial screening, each child will receive a customized treatment plan designed to meet their specific needs. Therapy sessions will be fun, engaging, and tailored to the child's interests and strengths.

Weekly updates will keep parents informed about their child's progress, and they will also receive activities to practice at home to reinforce the skills learned in therapy. This collaborative approach ensures that parents play an active role in their child's development, making the therapy more effective and helping the child build confidence in their abilities.

How to Get Involved

Parents who believe their child may benefit from speech and language support are encouraged to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. The initial screening, performed by University of Maryland specialists, will provide valuable insights into any speech or language issues their child may be facing. From there, Nobles Speech Therapy will step in to provide expert intervention designed to help each child reach their full communication potential.

Don't miss out on this chance to support your child's development through early speech therapy. Contact CAC Learning Centers today to schedule your child's initial screening and take the first step toward improved communication skills and greater confidence for your preschooler.

A Partnership Built on Community

Learning Center Locations

The following CAC Learning Centers in Howard County will be offering these services:

The Bauder Education Center
58775 Cloudleap Court, Suite 110
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Contact: 410-313-2731 | Michele Killete

Children’s Learning Center at HCC
5600 Dragon Place
Columbia, Maryland 21044
Contact: 410-313-5383 | Aaron Johnson

Dasher Green Center
6680 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, Maryland 21045
Contact: 410-313-6210 | Ashleigh Peddicord

Ellicott City Center
8510 High Ridge Road
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
Contact: 410-313-2750 | Erin Hill

Old Cedar Lane Center
5451 Beaverkill Lane
Columbia, Maryland 21044
Contact: 410-313-7246 | Lauren Tardy

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Exploring Prompt Therapy for Autism: Is It Right for Your Child

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 17:05:59 GMT

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Article At a Glance

PROMPT Therapy Overview: A tactile-based speech therapy for autism that uses physical prompts to guide speech movements.
Benefits: Helps children develop motor skills for clearer speech and improves communication confidence.
Personalized Approach: PROMPT is tailored to each child’s unique speech needs, offering individual guidance on difficult sounds.
Key Strategies: The therapy involves assessment, tactile cues, practice, and gradual reduction of physical prompts.
Consider PROMPT: It’s effective for children with motor planning issues , non-verbal or minimally verbal children, and those not progressing with traditional therapy.

Empowering Communication for Children with Autism: How PROMPT Therapy Can Help

The journey of finding the right speech therapy for a child with autism is deeply personal. Each child has unique challenges, and it’s essential to choose the right tools to empower them. PROMPT therapy is one such tool that’s gaining attention for its ability to address communication challenges through tactile engagement. This blog explores what PROMPT therapy is, the key benefits for children with autism, and how it can potentially transform your child’s ability to communicate.

What Is PROMPT Therapy?

PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) therapy is a specialized speech therapy technique designed to help children with speech delays or disorders, including those with autism. PROMPT therapy for autism focuses on developing oral motor skills by using tactile prompts . These prompts are physical cues provided by the therapist, guiding the child’s jaw, lips, and tongue movements to produce specific sounds and words.

Benefits of PROMPT Therapy for Autism

Targeted Motor Skills Development :

PROMPT helps children with autism develop the motor skills needed to control jaw, lip, and tongue movements for clearer speech.

Improved Communication Confidence:

By improving speech production, PROMPT therapy can boost confidence in children, helping them engage better in social situations.

Personalized Approach:

PROMPT therapy is individualized, meaning the therapist adapts tactile prompts to meet your child’s specific needs, focusing on their most challenging speech sounds.

How Does PROMPT Therapy Work?

Assessment

The therapist assesses your child’s speech and motor abilities.

Repetition and Practice

Your child practices these movements, building stronger motor pathways over time.

Tactile Cues

The therapist uses hands-on cues to guide your child’s oral movements to produce the correct sounds.

Progress Tracking

As your child improves, the therapist adjusts and reduces physical prompts.

Is PROMPT Therapy Right for Your Child?

Consider PROMPT therapy if your child:

Struggles with motor planning or coordination, which affects speech clarity.
Has made limited progress with traditional speech therapy methods.
Is non-verbal or minimally verbal, as PROMPT can help them become more aware of oral movements.
Needs a highly personalized approach that adapts to their specific strengths and challenges.

Autism Speech Development Strategies with PROMPT Therapy

PROMPT therapy also supports your child’s social communication and non-verbal skills:

Building Social Communication : As speech improves, so does your child’s ability to engage in conversations.
Improving Non-Verbal Communication : PROMPT helps children become more aware of facial expressions and body language.
Supporting Speech Development in Everyday Life : You can practice PROMPT techniques at home, reinforcing skills learned during therapy.

Is PROMPT Therapy the Right Choice?

PROMPT therapy offers a hands-on, effective approach to speech development in children with autism. By focusing on motor movements and tactile feedback, it can help children produce sounds more confidently and communicate more clearly.

Explore Comprehensive Speech Therapy Options for Autism

PROMPT therapy is just one of the many specialized techniques we offer. To learn more about how our therapy services can help children with autism, visit our Speech Therapy for Autism page and discover the right fit for your child's unique needs.

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Preschool Stuttering Therapy: A Parent’s Guide to Early Intervention

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:15:27 GMT

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As preschoolers develop their speech, they often experience "disfluencies," or disruptions in the flow of conversation. While these are a normal part of learning to speak, certain speech difficulties, like stuttering, may indicate a fluency disorder. Early intervention for stuttering is crucial in helping children overcome these challenges. In this guide, we'll discuss the signs that your preschooler might develop a stutter, when to seek help, and practical tips to support their speech development at home.

What is a Fluency Disorder?

A fluency disorder interrupts a person's flow of speaking. As preschoolers learn to speak, they improve their smoothness, continuity, and rate, known as "fluency." Development reduces hesitations, allowing your child to express themselves more clearly and with limited interruption.

Preschoolers with fluency disorders, such as stuttering, experience ongoing "disfluencies," which disrupt the flow of speech. Good examples of "normal" disfluencies might include hesitations, such as inserting "uhs" as we try to capture our thoughts or using words such as "like" constantly during speech. In the case of stuttering, the interruptions present themselves as repetitions of sounds, syllables, or monosyllabic words, such as "I am t-t-t-tired" or "I want an ice-ice-ice cream."

What is Stuttering?

Stuttering is a speech disorder/impediment and one of the most common fluency disorders, impacting 79 Million people worldwide . It disrupts the rhythm and flow of speech in different ways, including frequent pauses, repetitive sounds or words, uttering unintended sounds, etc., making speaking challenging. There are a few different types of stuttering, including:

Developmental stuttering, also known as child-onset fluency disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder related to brain differences occurring in childhood.
Persistent stuttering that continues into adulthood.
Acquired stuttering that results from an illness, emotional trauma, or brain injury.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Stuttering?

Learning to speak is overwhelming, with so many different sounds and words to remember. This can lead to repetition or inserting words or sounds such as "um" or "like," forgetting the right word or repeating entire words or phrases. This is a normal part of speech development and typically begins around the age of 2 and ends by the age of 6. It also tends only to last between six and 12 months. This is not considered stuttering.

In children older than six or where the stuttering persists beyond six months, the stuttering could indicate a speech disorder. Signs your preschooler is developing a chronic stutter include:

Only repeating a part of the word, such as the first sound, "I w-w-w-want to leave."
Repeating one syllable, such as "Let-let-let go."
Prolonging a single sound of a word such as "Ssssssssally went home."
Stopping with pauses like "I have a (long pause) book."

There are also behaviors associated with stuttering to watch for, including:

Trying to overcome a stutter with physical behavior such as nodding their head or blinking
Avoiding using more difficult-to-pronounce words
Avoiding speaking with others because they are embarrassed by their stutter
Becoming frustrated when trying to speak as they struggle to express themselves
A worsening stutter when rushing to tell you something, upset or excited

What Causes Stuttering?

The cause of stuttering is not currently known. However, the following can increase the risk of stuttering:

Family history of stuttering or family recovery patterns of continued stuttering
Brain differences that impact speech
Children born as boys
Later development of a stutter past the age of 3½

Signs Your Child Should See a Speech Therapist

If you feel your child has developed a stutter, it is highly recommended that you have your child evaluated by a pediatric speech pathologist as soon as possible. The sooner you have your child evaluated, the sooner they can begin therapy and the less likely they will develop persistent stuttering into adulthood.

Signs your child should see a speech therapist include:

Stuttering lasts longer than 6–12 months
Stuttering that develops after 3½ years old
Increased stuttering
Struggling to speak
Tensing up when searching for words or when speaking
Starting to avoid speaking
Your child has told you they find it too hard to speak
You have a family history of stuttering

How is Testing Performed for Stuttering?

Formal testing will confirm whether your child is stuttering or experiencing common disfluencies as part of their speech development. There are several approaches a speech therapist will use to assess stuttering/fluency disorders, such as:

Speaking to your child to determine the number and type of disfluencies
Behavior related to stuttering includes frustration, avoidance, anger, etc.
Attempts to stop stuttering, such as stopping and starting to speak again, stopping completely, etc.
Ask your child how stuttering impacts their interactions, such as not having friends, not participating in school, being teased, etc.
Assessing how your child says words and makes sounds during speech
Comprehensive skill tests
Seeing how your child expresses their thoughts when speaking

Once the assessment is complete, your child's therapist can provide a customized treatment strategy.

What Are Some Available Treatments For Stuttering?

Often, the best approach is a combination of techniques known as fluency shaping to help improve speech fluency, such as:

Improving vowel prolongation
Breath management
Easy phrase initiation
Light contacts on consonant sounds
Slowed stretched speech
Smooth movement
Stretched speech

For example, slowed speech focuses on deliberate and slow speaking, stretching out each syllable in a word for a full two seconds. As your child masters this process, they can begin to speed up their speech until they reach typical fluency rates of 150 syllables a minute.

Home Strategies to Overcome Stuttering

You can also help your preschooler overcome stuttering with the following home management tips:

Slow down your own speech pace to help your child learn by example.
Never get angry or frustrated when your child stutters, as this causes anxiety that worsens the stutter.
Pay close attention as your child speaks without trying to rush them, maintaining eye contact so they can see you are engaged and listening.
Avoid interrupting or trying to speed up what they're saying so they can learn to express themselves without worry.
Praise them when they speak with others and when they are doing other activities to help build their confidence and self-esteem.
Enjoy more uninterrupted one-on-one time with your child, talking and playing without using TV or devices.
Encourage your child to discuss how their stuttering makes them feel and remind them their stuttering doesn't impact their worth.

These strategies will support your child and help them improve their speaking abilities.

Take the Next Step Toward Confident Communication

A consultation with a pediatric speech pathologist in the preschool years will ensure your child receives an effective speech therapy strategy to help them gain control over their stuttering and regain their confidence.

Learn more about stuttering and treatments here .

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New Team Members

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:43:33 GMT

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At Nobles Speech Therapy, we are always striving to provide the best care and support for children and their families. To further enhance our services, we are thrilled to introduce two new certified speech-language pathologists to our dedicated team. Their diverse backgrounds and passion for helping children will undoubtedly enrich our practice and provide even more personalized care.

Sorrah Edwards-Thro

We are excited to welcome Sorrah Edwards-Thro (he/they) to the Nobles Speech Therapy family as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). Sorrah discovered his passion for speech therapy in 2022 after earning a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics from the College of William & Mary. His journey into the world of speech therapy began with his work as a grants manager for mother-tongue education advocacy projects in Haiti. This experience, combined with roles as a tutor, caregiver, paraeducator, and SLPA, has given Sorrah a profound appreciation for making a direct impact on children and their families.

Sorrah's commitment to his professional development is evident as he continues his studies towards a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Outside of his work and studies, Sorrah enjoys reading, watching TV, biking, and volunteering in his community. His diverse interests and dedication to community service make him a valuable addition to our team.

Jasmine Rene, M.S. CCC-SLP

We are equally delighted to introduce Jasmine Rene, M.S. CCC-SLP, to our team as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Jasmine earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Howard University and brings four years of experience to her role. She is passionate about engaging with children and fostering their learning and communication skills through play-based therapy .

Jasmine's approach to therapy is both effective and enjoyable, creating a positive environment for children to thrive. In her personal time, Jasmine enjoys relaxing at home, staying active with exercise, and spending quality time with friends. Her balanced approach to life and work will greatly benefit the children and families she serves.

Our Commitment to Excellence

With the addition of Sorrah Edwards-Thro and Jasmine Rene, our team at Nobles Speech Therapy is more equipped than ever to support your child's communication needs. Our team's collaborative approach ensures that each child receives individualized and effective therapy tailored to their unique goals. We are committed to helping children reach their full potential by providing exceptional care, fostering a fun and engaging learning environment, and involving parents every step of the way.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Sorrah and Jasmine as they begin their journey with us. We are excited about the positive impact they will have on our practice and the lives of the children and families we serve.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to reach out. We look forward to continuing to provide outstanding speech therapy services to our community.

Welcome to the Nobles Speech Therapy family, Sorrah and Jasmine!

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Understanding Expressive Language Disorder: A Guide for Parents

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:37:04 GMT

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Expressive language disorder (ELD) is a condition that causes below-average vocabulary development. This typically includes difficulty saying complex sentences and remembering the right words in conversation. Unlike receptive language disorders , which impact a child's ability to understand words they hear or read, ELD is strictly related to a child's ability to express themselves verbally and in writing.

As a result, your child can have trouble in school and socializing. Because identifying symptoms of expressive language disorders is challenging, we created a comprehensive guide to help you recognize the signs, understand the possible impacts, and access available support strategies to help your child enhance their communication abilities.

Signs and Symptoms of Expressive Language Disorders

The common signs and symptoms of an expressive language disorder typically include the following:

Below-average vocabulary skills
Improper use of past, present, and future tenses
Difficulty forming complex sentences and remembering words
Difficulty answering Wh-questions (e.g., Who, what, where, etc.)
Challenges expressing wants and needs or telling stories, sharing ideas, or expressing thoughts
Improper grammar
Using incomplete phrases and sentences

Below-average vocabulary skills fail to meet age-specific expectations for speech and language development . Some signs of expressive language delays include:

Early signs

7 months to a year

Can't imitate different speech sounds
Can't say one or two first words, such as mama or dada, by their first birthday

Signs in Toddlers

1 to 2 years

Doesn't use new words regularly
Doesn't use a few one- or two-word questions
Can't put two words together

Preschool Indicators

2 to 3 Years

Doesn't know words for almost everything
Doesn't use two- or three-word phrases to talk about and ask for things
Isn't understood by family members and friends
Can't name or ask for objects

3 to 4 Years

Doesn't talk about their daily activities
Never says sentences with four or more words
Can't speak easily without stumbling or repeating sounds or words

4 to 5 Years

Never gives details when speaking
Can't stay on topic when speaking
Has difficulty communicating with other children and adults
Never uses rhyming words or adult grammar

If your child isn't meeting these milestones, they could have an ELD.

ELD Impact on Daily Life and Learning

ELDs make it hard for children to speak and write but does not reflect their intelligence. The disorder causes a difference in the processing of words and word information, which makes it difficult to find the right words to express thoughts and feelings.

Academic Challenges

As a result, it impacts a child's school performance, relationships with family, and ability to develop relationships outside the home. Because kids don't outgrow ELD, it is important to identify the signs before your child enters preschool.

Social and Emotional Effects

Without proper interventions for expressive vocabulary issues, a child will continue to experience communication difficulties. This can lead to behavioral issues out of frustration, such as becoming defiant or acting out. A child might also withdraw or become too vague in written and spoken language. This leads to issues in learning and socializing as their behavior is misunderstood, which makes it appear they have the following issues:

Poor academic skills
Difficulty learning English if English is not their first language
Having a difficult personality
Anti-social behavior

Common challenges that impact a child's ability to achieve proper expressive speech include:

Using vague words that make it difficult to understand their meaning
Speaking and writing in noticeably short sentences
Struggling with grammar
Acting out at home, socially, and at school when not understood
Having a limited vocabulary that interferes with their conversational and writing skills
Struggling with paraphrasing
Inability to take effective notes
Hesitancy to join in conversations
Copying what others say to be included among peers or family conversations
Trouble telling stories in a logical order or without losing track
Low self-esteem

Support and Treatment

Options for ELD

Standardized expressive language and nonverbal intellectual tests are available to help diagnose ELDs. If you find your child struggling with any of the above challenges or showing signs and symptoms of ELD, it is crucial to speak to a child speech-language pathologist (SLP) to run tests for disorders and learning disabilities. You can also speak to your family doctor.

Can Expressive Language Disorder Be Cured?

While there isn't a "cure" for ELD, speech therapy is the most effective treatment for increasing vocabulary and the number of phrases your child uses. A child SLP specializes in evaluating and treating children who have difficulty expressing language. They can help you understand how to manage your child's expressive communication issues and provide practical solutions.

Therapy Approaches

Treatment plans are customized to meet your child's specific needs using engaging one-on-one sessions that help improve their communication skills. They focus on helping your child use more words, phrases, and sentences to communicate their wants, feelings, and thoughts. They also help improve grammar and vocabulary and formulate complete sentences to improve their academic performance.

Parent Communication Strategies

Early communication strategies at home can also help improve your child's communication skills, including:

Read to your child to model proper grammar, use of language, labeling, and expanding vocabulary.
Ask questions about stories or their day to help them learn to form and express their thoughts.
Share your stories about your day and carry on conversations to expose them to more words and phrases without putting too much pressure on them to participate.
Always model correct language to teach by example with gentle, conversational interactions. Repeat what they say properly, such as correcting "Him is funny" by saying, "Yes he is funny."
When your child starts speech therapy, try introducing advanced word combinations, new words, and phrases to help them improve, such as adding colors or adjectives to what they do. For example, if they say, "Apples sweet," respond with, "Yes, I like sweet red apples too."
Avoid open-ended answers and present choices such as, "Would you like peanut butter or jam on your toast?" instead of, "What would you like on your toast?"

Teach them to sing along with songs to learn new words and phrases and how to express different emotions and feelings.

Resources and Further Reading

Some additional resources to enhance your knowledge include:

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/speech-and-language

https://www.noblesspeechtherapy.com/language-activity-request

If you suspect your child might have a learning or language disorder, you can seek help by contacting our child's speech-language pathologist.

Click here to learn more about ELD and the available Nobles Speech Therapy treatments.

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Activities to Enhance Language Skills at Home: Tips for Families of Children with Expressive Language Disorder

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:45:33 GMT

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Family interactions are essential to the development of your child’s language skills. Creating a supportive family environment through daily conversation, story reading, and games helps enhance language skills at home.

Daily interaction and activities are even more important for children with expressive language disorder (ELD) , who process words and word information differently. ELD impacts their ability to meet language and vocabulary development milestones, making it difficult for them to communicate both verbally and in writing. Here, we share expressive language disorder strategies for parents , along with fun activities and games you can use every day.

Simple and Effective Language-Boosting Activities

You can help your child progress from nonverbal to verbal language using home treatment expressive language disorder games and activities that help develop first words and simple phrases. Language skills activities set the foundation for future communication and academic success. Play is one of the best ways to enhance language with young children using the following home speech therapy tips :

Singing

Singing and nursery rhymes are the perfect activities when kids are bored, traveling or getting ready for bed. Repetition builds vocabulary naturally, helping children recognize words and how to form speech.

Label Objects

Labelling vocally expresses words to identify objects you use and encounter every day. Whether it’s pointing out trees, flowers, and children in the park, calling out things you see while driving in the car, or repeating words for objects you use every day like toothbrushes, books, spoons, phones, etc., every word you repeat and object you label teaches your child new words.

An easy way to do this is to play “I Spy” where you point out things you see, such as “I spy a tree,” “I spy a dog,” or “I spy a fountain.” As your child learns to say words, they can join in. You can also make the game more advanced. For example, say “I spy something green” and have your child tell you what green objects they see. You can also help them learn about different sounds that form words by saying, “I spy something starting with ssssss or bee.”

Play Telephone

Playing telephone using your cell phone or a toy phone helps teach your child common social words such as “hello” and “goodbye.” It’s also a good way to develop conversation skills. However, this game can be played at any age, even when your child hasn’t said their first word. Making actual phone calls to family members such as grandparents also encourages them to use new words and gain confidence in their social skills.

Always Use Sentences

When engaging with your child, it’s important to use complete sentences instead of adapting to their “baby” words. For example, if your child asks for water by pointing and saying “wawa,” you should respond by saying, “Yes, here is your water.” By indulging their early pronunciation, you encourage them to continue using this easier phrasing, which can interfere with their language development.

Use Toys or Puppets to Encourage Conversations

Play acting funny conversations with toys or puppets helps your child develop new phrases and learn to speak using complete sentences. Your character should be the question-asker, creating a fun persona that encourages your child to participate. If your child’s answers are incomplete, use this as a teaching opportunity. For example, if you ask, “How is the weather today?” and they reply, “Rain,” you might say, “Yes, it is really raining hard today,” to teach them how to say longer phrases.

Read Aloud

This is the most important activity to share with infants and toddlers. Introducing books to children at a young age creates a lifelong love of reading that helps develop writing and comprehension skills. Choose exciting, colorful books with entertaining stories and quirky characters to pique their interest. Also, they should point out pictures and use labeling to help them see the connection between words and objects.

Incorporating Language Skills into Daily Routines

Labeling is one of the best expressive language disorder strategies for parents to integrate into their everyday activities. When grocery shopping, pick up different fruits and vegetables and say the word to your child or see if they can tell you what it is. As your child gets older, introduce adjectives and colors to enhance their vocabulary, such as adding yellow to banana or round to orange. By doing this every day, you create a regular practice that enhances your child’s vocabulary.

You can also develop these practices as your child gets older using the following home treatment expressive language disorder tips:

Share stories about your day to help them learn more words and phrases
Model correct language as they learn new words by repeating misspoken words and phrases properly such as correcting “Her is pretty” by saying, “Yes, she is pretty.”
Introduce adjectives to help them develop longer phrases, such as saying, “This apple is sweet and red” at snack time or “Your shirt is yellow and soft” when getting dressed.
Present choices in conversation to make it easier to answer, such as “Would you like to go for a walk or to the park?” instead of simply asking, “What would you like to do today?”

Using Technology to Support Language Development

There is a wide variety of age-appropriate apps and digital tools available to help children enhance their communication skills. When approached properly, your child will feel more motivated to learn and engage with characters and situations that come to life on the screen. This helps capture and maintain their attention while they learn.

Monitoring time spent on these apps and working with your child as they use them is essential. Otherwise, using apps can interfere with effective speech due to a lack of person-to-person contact. The apps should facilitate speech and language as a secondary tool to support one-on-one interactions, not replace personal interactions. It’s important to choose age-appropriate apps to avoid frustration. Also, choose an appropriate time when your child is well rested and fed so they are more open to learning.

Resources for Continued Learning and Support

Some additional resources to enhance your knowledge include:

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/speech-and-language

https://www.noblesspeechtherapy.com/language-activity-request

You can also explore the following apps:

If you suspect your child might have a learning or language disorder, reach out to our child speech language pathologist.

Click here to learn more about ELD and the Nobles Speech Therapy treatments are available.

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Building a Supportive Environment: Tips for Parents of Children with Verbal Dyspraxia

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 07:09:22 GMT

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Children with verbal dyspraxia face unique challenges coordinating the movements required for clear speech. While this might sometimes lead to periods of frustration and varied behaviors, such as crying, whining, temper tantrums, and, in some cases, kicking and hitting, with the right strategies and understanding, these moments can transform into opportunities for growth and connection.

Navigating this journey can present its own challenges, but the resilience and progress children can exhibit are equally compelling. This guide aims to empower families with insights and strategies to foster a supportive environment, amplifying children's strengths and ensuring their thriving development.

Discover Effective Strategies for Supporting Your Child with Verbal Dyspraxia

What is Verbal Dyspraxia?

Verbal dyspraxia makes it difficult for children to develop the movements used to form the sounds of letters and words. It is not related to damaged nerves or muscles but is a speech condition related to their ability to produce speech sounds and sequence them together to form words.

Children with verbal dyspraxia often have unintelligible speech, which can be connected to oro-motor dyspraxia , impacting their ability to co-ordinate their larynx, lips, tongue, and palate, or generalized dyspraxia, which affects their gross and fine body movements.

How is Verbal Dyspraxia Diagnosed?

If you suspect your child could have verbal dyspraxia, you can speak to your family doctor. They can consider their symptoms and decide whether referring them to a speech-language pathologist (SLP) makes sense. They are crucial in diagnosing developmental verbal dyspraxia, using a checklist of characteristics, and considering their presenting symptoms to diagnose the speech disorder.

However, the process can be complex, and today, it is not uncommon for therapists to hesitate to "label" a specific speech disorder. Their hesitation often stems from a desire to view individuals holistically, avoiding potential stigmas and ensuring flexible, tailored treatment rather than confining them to a specific diagnosis.

Instead of focusing solely on labels, they prioritize the characteristics to prescribe the most effective treatment.

How is Verbal Dyspraxia Treated?

Importance of Early Intervention

Addressing verbal dyspraxia effectively often hinges on the timeliness of intervention . Early identification and intervention can significantly improve a child's communication development trajectory. When initiated promptly, speech therapy can harness a child's natural neuroplasticity , making it easier for them to adapt and learn new speech patterns.

SLP's Approach to Treatment

Speech therapy for verbal dyspraxia is typically facilitated by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). They craft a specialized verbal dyspraxia treatment plan to bolster your child's communication skills. These treatments target syllables, words, and phrases, utilizing your child's cues to set a comfortable progression pace.

Consistency: Key to Successful Therapy

Consistency in therapy is equally crucial. Regular sessions and persistent practice both during sessions and at home play a pivotal role in ensuring the best possible outcomes. In more pronounced cases, children might be introduced to alternative forms of communication, such as electronic devices or sign language. Regardless of the severity, ongoing support at home is instrumental in amplifying the benefits of therapy.

Tips to Assist Your Child

Parenting a child with verbal dyspraxia can be stressful. However, developing supportive strategies for verbal dyspraxia therapy will help you cope with the challenges and build a stronger relationship with your child. You can use these tips to create a supportive environment that allows your child to experience more marked progression in their development through verbal dyspraxia therapy :

Ready to Learn More About Verbal Dyspraxia Treatment in the Laurel MD area?

At Nobles Speech Therapy, we're dedicated to helping children with verbal dyspraxia find their voice and communicate with confidence. Based in Laurel MD, our specialized treatments are tailored to meet the unique needs of children with this condition. Dive deeper into our verbal dyspraxia specific treatment offerings and discover how we can make a difference. Learn more about our approach and solutions here .

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About the Author

Myles Nobles is a pediatric speech and language pathologist in Laurel, MD. He uses a gentle approach and customizes treatment plans to help children from diverse backgrounds enhance their speech and language skills and reach their full potential, despite challenges such as autism. Myles' goal is to improve children's independence, self-confidence, and social well-being.

When to Consider Pediatric Speech Therapy for Your Child's Voice Disorders

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 05:26:28 GMT

Understanding When to Seek Professional Speech Therapy for Your Child's Success

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Voice disorders can vary in children, presenting with differences in pitch, quality, and volume compared to their peers. Such differences can shape a child's self-esteem, social experiences, and overall communication skills. This guide explores voice disorders' hallmarks in children and provides actionable steps towards professional evaluation and children's voice therapy .

Empowering Your Child's Voice: Signs & Solutions

Symptoms of Voice Disorders in Children

Noticeable symptoms in children may include:

Harshness or hoarseness
Extremes in tone—either too high or too low
Discrepancies in volume—speaking either too loudly or too softly
Appearing to have "lost" their voice
Resembling voice qualities when one has a cold, such as sounding congested
Excessive nasal airflow during speech
Trouble with voice projection
Fatigue in voice, especially after prolonged use

If these symptoms are persistent or linked to pain or difficulty in breathing, seeking immediate medical consultation becomes essential.

Underlying Causes of Voice Disorders

The human voice emanates from the vibrations of the vocal folds situated within the larynx, commonly known as the "voice box." Disruptions or abnormalities in these muscle bands can result in voice disorders. While temporary disruptions might arise from overuse or infections, persistent alterations might point towards more entrenched causes such as acid reflux, anatomical irregularities, or habitual behaviors like constant throat clearing.

Identifying Different Voice Disorders

Several classifications of voice disorders exist. Some of the more prevalent ones include:

Effective Treatment Approaches

The cornerstone of treating voice disorders in children is speech therapy for kids , typically overseen by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). These professionals evaluate, diagnose, and tailor therapy to address the specific voice, speech, or language disorder. While surgical intervention may sometimes be necessary, non-invasive techniques, such as Resonant Voice Therapy , often form the primary treatment approach. This method trains children to enhance their vocal resonance, promoting healthier voice production and minimizing strain.

Empowering Children to Care for Their Voices

Supporting your child in managing their voice disorder can involve:

Teaching them the importance of voice modulation and avoiding extremes in volume
Demonstrating various voice levels and qualities and encouraging mimicry
Recognizing and rewarding correct voice usage
Keeping them hydrated to maintain vocal health

A positive and encouraging environment fosters confidence, enabling children to adopt healthier voice habits.

Recognizing Risk Factors

Certain conditions and behaviors can exacerbate voice disorders. These include:

Environmental factors like poor air quality
Physical conditions such as dehydration
Habitual behaviors like excessive throat clearing

Awareness of these factors is instrumental in preventative care.

The Imperative of Early Intervention

Prioritizing early detection and intervention can drastically influence voice disorder outcomes. Encourage children to adopt healthy vocal habits and consult professionals if any abnormalities persist. While many voice disorders may resolve naturally, consulting a specialist ensures any potential health concern is addressed promptly.

Endeavor always to prioritize your child's vocal health. Trusting your instincts and seeking professional input when necessary will serve their best interests.

For further insights on voice disorder treatments, click here .

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Effective Strategies for Enhancing Social Skills in Children with Autism

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:47:54 GMT

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If your child has autism, establishing meaningful relationships may be challenging. However, several practical strategies can bolster their social skills development. This article explores these techniques and highlights how speech therapy for autism can significantly improve your child's social interactions and communication.

Understanding the Importance of Social Skills Development in Children with Autism

Developing social skills helps children connect with others and make friends, learn from others and experience new hobbies, and build stronger family relationships and a sense of belonging.

What are social skills?

The following social skills help children become more resilient and build meaningful relationships:

Play skills such as learning to share or take turns
Conversation skills, such as developing topics to start conversations
Using and understanding proper body language when speaking to someone
Emotional skills to manage their own emotions while also developing more empathy to understand the feelings of others
Problem-solving skills related to social scenarios, such as conflict resolution or decision making

These skills help your child understand proper behavior in social settings to develop stronger relationships. As a result, they will have a better quality of life and enjoy improved mental health.

Common Social Challenges in Children with Autism

Although children with autism desire social interaction, they may struggle with social skills that allow them to do so successfully. Common social challenges faced by children with autism include:

Initiating conversations and interactions
Responding when others initiate interactions
Maintaining eye contact
Sharing enjoyment with others
Reading and interpreting the non-verbal cues of others
Considering the feelings and perspectives of others

Struggling with social skills can lead to anxiety, much like the feelings experienced when speaking in public. Symptoms of social anxiety might include:

Increased heart rate
Sweaty palms
Shaking
Difficulty concentrating

Using proven strategies, you can help your child develop social skills and overcome anxieties.

The Impact of Speech Therapy for Children with Autism

Speech therapy has a multitude of benefits for children with autism, and here are four specific ways it can make a difference:

Enhancing Communication Skills

Speech therapists use various techniques to help children with autism improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including clear speech sounds, body language, and understanding spoken and unspoken cues.

Improving Social Interactions

Speech therapists can help children with autism learn how to navigate social interactions, such as understanding conversational turn-taking, making appropriate eye contact, and understanding how to start, continue, and end a conversation.

Developing Emotional Understanding and Expression

Speech therapy can help children with autism learn to recognize, understand, and express emotions.

Promoting Play Skills Through Therapy

Speech therapists often use play-based techniques to make therapy fun and engaging for children, teaching them essential communication skills like taking turns and using language to express needs. Pretend play can also help children with autism develop imagination and symbolic thought, which are essential for language development.

With these in mind, let's delve into specific strategies to support social skills development in children with autism.

Strategies for Supporting Social Skills Development

Speech therapy for autism often focuses on play, which allows parents to teach essential social skills in a fun and engaging way at home. Praise and role-playing can help reinforce progress and practice initiating conversations.

Formal social skills training with a speech therapist provides robust strategies to enhance your child's skills. For example, a therapist can:

Guide your child to improve communication skills through play using games, toys, and other activities
Teach your child to understand and respond to conversations with others
Help your child articulate their speech more clearly through focused therapy sessions
Encourage your child to initiate and participate in conversations
Train your child to understand non-verbal communication like body language and facial expressions

Private speech and language therapy for autism is crafted based on an assessment that highlights your child's strengths and helps them overcome weaknesses.

Creating Structured Social Opportunities

Social Skills Training (SST) provides structured social opportunities to help children learn how to make friends, interact with peers, control their emotions, understand others' feelings, and improve communication. These sessions can be accessed through pre-schools/schools and speech or occupational therapists.

Structured Play

Structured play allows autistic children to learn play and social skills using specific tools and activities. For example, through structured play, children learn to share, take turns, respond to other children, and try to understand how other children feel during play. Examples of structured play and social opportunities include:

Exploratory Play: Instead of playing with toys, children explore objects through "feel," such as understanding the difference between liquid and bar soap or running sand through their fingers to learn about their environment.
Cause and Effect Play: Children play with toys to understand how their actions create a result, such as pushing a button to hear music or rolling a ball back and forth with you to understand how to take turns.
Toy Play: Playing with toys based on their intended use helps children develop problem-solving and creative skills.
Constructive Play: This type of play teaches building skills using toys such as blocks and puzzles and creative skills through arts and crafts. Video modeling and visual supports can help your child understand constructive play's "how to" aspect.
Physical Play: Active play helps your child develop gross motor skills. It is an excellent opportunity to exercise outside while exploring their environment and interacting with others.
Pretend Play: Using the imagination develops language and communication skills through role-playing and pretending.

Utilizing Visual Supports and Social Stories

Visual supports such as pictures, prompt cards, or checklists can help your child remember the skills they have learned. For example, if your child is visiting a neighbor, you can use a picture of a dog to remind them to start a conversation about the neighbor's dog. Likewise, if your child often forgets to say thank you, you can post the word thank you in their room beside a picture of a family dining in a restaurant. Checklists keep them on track when socializing, such as listing:

Make eye contact
Approach the person
Say hello
Ask a question
Listen and answer back

Social stories explain social scenarios and provide tips to deal with those scenarios. For example, a story might show a child how to start conversations using examples of the people your child might talk to, how to start a conversation, and ideas of what they might talk about.

Collaboration with Schools and Therapists

Collaboration provides a higher quality approach to social skills development for children with autism. In addition, using collaboration practices helps parents see more favorable outcomes, starting with early intervention in preschoolers . The collaboration includes early childhood educators, related service providers, speech and language therapists, and parents and caregivers.

Discover More About Speech Therapy for Autism

Want to dive deeper into how speech and language therapy can help your child grow their social skills and build stronger relationships?

Visit our comprehensive guide to learn more and explore the life-changing benefits of speech therapy for autism

Packed with knowledge and resources, it's designed to support you on this journey.

About the Author

Myles Nobles is a pediatric speech pathologist in Laurel, MD. With patience and a friendly demeanor, he helps children from all walks of life develop independence, greater confidence, and social well-being by improving speech and language. Treatment plans address developmental, articulation, fluency, and other crucial language skills impeded due to autism and other challenges.

5 Tips for Improving Child’s Speech Skills Without Damaging Confidence

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 10:38:52 GMT

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As your child learns to speak, it is an exciting yet sometimes frustrating experience. Although you are proud of their achievements, their initial pronunciation makes it difficult to understand what they say. This is because speech takes coordination between the brain, where thoughts are formed, and the tongue and mouth, where the sounds are produced.

The good news is speech development is progressive , with your child becoming better and better at expressing themselves and developing their words each day. At 18 months, parents typically understand 25% of their child’s words. By two years, this jumps rapidly to 50-75%; by age three, you should understand them 100% of the time.

Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Speech Development

To help your child improve their pronunciation and articulation, here are five tips to help them master their sounds and learn new words more easily.

Tip #1. Understand Age Related Common Sound Errors

Understanding common pronunciation errors at each stage of speech development is helpful. This alleviates expectations you might inadvertently place on your child, allowing them to develop their pronunciation and articulation skills at the expected pace. Use these milestones as your guide:

Before the Age of 3:

These are the most challenging years to understand your child, mainly because they tend to:

Delete the final consonants so cat sounds more like ca
Delete unstressed syllables such as banana becoming nana
Choose the wrong consonants, such as saying tat instead of cat
Creating a simplified version of words, such as dada for daddy or baba for bottle

Ages 1 to 3:

As your child’s speech develops between the ages of 1 to 3, you can help them pronounce their “easy 8” sounds, which include:

M as in moo
B as in ba
Y, as in you
N, as in no
W as in wa
D as in da
P as in pa
H as in ha

Ages 3 to 6

At this age, your child should begin pronouncing their “middle 8” sounds which include:

T as in ta
Ng, as in sing
K as in ca
G as in ga
F as in fa
V as in va
Ch as in cha
J as in ja
S as in sa

Ages 5 to 7

As your child becomes an engaging conversationalist, they will include the following “late sounds”:

Sh as in sha
Th as in tha
R as in ra
Z as in za
L as in la
Zh as in measure

Tip #2. Use Visual Models

Your mouth is the perfect visual model to help your child see how certain sounds are made. One of the easiest speech articulation exercises is to sit facing your child, so they can see your mouth as you pronounce words. Then, have them mimic the words or say them along with you. You can also use visual cues, such as holding up objects, pointing to items in the room, or viewing images to help them learn new words. Be sure to keep it age appropriate to avoid frustration.

Tip #3. Speak Slower

Children often mispronounce words because they are struggling to understand their parent’s fast-paced talking. Speaking slower has two benefits. First, it helps your child slow down their words so they can speak more clearly. Second, it helps them understand how to say words correctly. Be careful you don’t talk too slowly. Instead, maintain a conversational tone. The trick is to help your child differentiate each word so they can hear how to say them correctly.

Tip #4. Correct Them Gently and Acknowledge Correct Pronunciation

Although it is tempting to repeat mispronounced words to your child and have them say them back to you, this is less effective than you might think. Instead, using a more conversational approach works best. Repeat the word in a question to help your child with articulation problems. For example, if they say, “Look at the tat.” Ask them, “You want me to look at the cat?” This stresses the mispronounced word while asking a question to carry on the conversation.

You can also clarify what they said by offering a choice: “Did you see a tat, or a cat?” This then forces them to respond by saying the word correctly to answer your question. Likewise, if your child learns a new word, you should confirm you understood what they said. For example, you might say, “Oh yes, you want me to look at the cat? Good job.” This helps build their confidence, so they feel comfortable using new words.

Tip #5. Always Engage in Conversation and Clarify

If your child is particularly chatty, it can be difficult constantly deciphering what they are saying, especially when you are tired or multitasking. Although it might be tempting to nod or say something neutral to acknowledge that your child is speaking, this sends the wrong message. First, they might be puzzled by your response, especially if they asked a specific question. Next, you miss out on teaching opportunities. Your child’s speech development calls for constant engagement to help them learn how to speak and carry on intelligent conversations. If you don’t respond intelligently because you don’t understand them, they are unaware they are making mistakes.

If you don’t understand something, always respond by asking your child to repeat what they said, or use one of the tactics in tip # 4. You can also ask them to show you what they want, so you can help them learn how to say those words. These contextual cues are beneficial to both you and your child. You can also consider their facial expression and intonation to determine their feelings. For example, do they feel what they are saying is urgent, or perhaps they are trying to say something funny?

Empower Your Parenting With Knowledge of Speech Development:

Although the development of standard articulation takes time, how you speak and respond to your child impacts their ability to learn. If you understand expected milestones for speech development, you can help alleviate the stress and pressure on you as a parent while also identifying when a potential articulation disorder exists.

To dive deeper into our approach to speech therapy and find out more about how we can support your child's journey, visit:

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you and your child every step of the way.

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S-Blends Speech Therapy Guide for Parents

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 06:09:13 GMT

If your child has difficulty with s-blends, speech therapy may be a beneficial treatment option. Below, we discuss some tips to help you determine if s-blend therapy might be the solution for your child.

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This guide provides an overview of S-blend speech therapy and how it can help your child's language development.

If your child has issues pronouncing certain “s” words, they may have difficulty mastering “consonant clusters.” S-words with consonant clusters combine s with other consonants such as k, l, n, p, t, m, w. Mispronunciation of these words can make it difficult for people to understand the child and impede their communication ability.

As a result, children can fall behind both academically and socially. Unfortunately, many schools are not fully equipped to manage issues with speech adequately. However, many children see significant improvements through S-blend therapy. Here we discuss S-blend therapy or S-word speech therapy to help you decide if it suits your child.

Discover the Secrets to Clearer Speech: Mastering S-Blends with Ease!

What Is an S-Blend?

S-blends refer to words combining two consonants with an s, such as scope , or three consonants, such as scrape . Some children have difficulty coordinating the sounds to articulate the words correctly. Common examples of consonant clusters mispronounced would be saying “poon” for spoon or “cool” for school . Children are expected to articulate s-blends by the time they begin school. The longer they mispronounce s-words, the more difficult it becomes for them to develop proper articulation skills.

What Is S-Blend Therapy?

S-blend therapy is a form of articulation or speech therapy to improve a child's communication skills. It is meant to be fun, allowing children to naturally develop proper articulation by talking and playing with the help of books, pictures, or flashcards. Treatment is based on their age, particular pronouncement issues, and strategies that include therapy at home.

The goal is to make treatment fun so children are motivated to participate and gain confidence in their communication skills. As they enjoy new success, they continue to progress to new levels. As a result, they become more capable in everyday conversation and increase their ability to participate in social and academic settings.

How to Help Children Articulate S-Blends

S-blend therapy works by practicing sounds, syllables, and phrases until your child can complete sentences. To improve their progress, therapy continues at home. You can help your child succeed with these tips:

Match s-word images to s-word sounds : Show your child s-word images you find online such as snakes, snow, sports, stars, stairs, scarves, swings, etc. Have them focus on first making the “s” sound. Then have them make the second sound, such as “no” for snow or “tar” for star. Then show them how you pronounce both together to form the word. Have them try to say the word with you several times to get a feel for it.
Emphasize s-blends : When you speak, emphasize s-blends so they can hear the proper sounds in everyday conversation.
“Show” them the words : As you pronounce s-blends, point to your mouth to show your child what it looks like as you speak, so they become familiar with proper positioning.
Acknowledge proper pronunciation : Pay attention to your child when they speak and praise them when they say s-blend words correctly. Avoid constant correction, as this can make them feel self-conscious.

While it takes time and patience for your child to become used to new speech patterns, S-blend therapy and ongoing practice at home will help them perfect their articulation skills.

Does your child struggle with pronouncing s-blend words? Learn more about s-blend and other articulation treatment options with Nobles Speech Therapy.

PROMPT: A Parent's Guide to Hands-On Speech Therapy

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:41:42 GMT

This guide will provide you with an overview of the PROMPT method in speech therapy and how it can be used as effective treatment for childhood apraxia.

The PROMPT method of speech therapy provides many children with the support they need to see significant improvement.

What is PROMPT speech therapy? You may have heard this term before but were unsure how it applies to your child's needs. Prompt stands for Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets. It is a highly successful therapy option for children with motor speed disorders. This includes children who have childhood apraxia or dysarthria. It may also help some adults who struggle with these needs as well. It is unique and effective as a robust type of speech therapy.

A History of This Therapy

The PROMPT style of speech therapy was first developed in the 1970s by Deborah Hayden . It was initially used to help children displaying severe motor impairments who did not do well with other types of traditional speech therapy. To take on these more challenging cases, Dr. Hayden worked to create a tactile-kinesthetic way to improve speech therapy.

The PROMPT method in speech therapy is both a method and a philosophy in that it focuses on a holistic way of improving speed therapy. It also helps to focus communication as a blend of cognitive-linguistic and physical-sensory aspects. It also blends social and emotional factors into the method. It is also important to know that this type of therapy is continuously evolving as new research and data help strengthen its basis.

If a child suffers from speech delay, disorder, or another type of impairment, it is often necessary to begin therapy immediately. The PROMPT method is often one of the first options for those who fit the mold because of its effectiveness.

PROMPT is a tactile-kinesthetic approach to speech therapy. What does that mean? In this type of therapy, the pathologist will guide the patient's articulators manually. This includes the lips, jaw, tongue, and vocal folds. To do this, the therapist will target particular words and sentences. To help the child learn, the therapist will use touch cues to help to support the proper movement of each articulator during the speaking process.

By doing this, the patient can produce phonemes. These are the smallest types of sounds that allow for distinguishing one word from the next. During each speech session, the child and therapist work in this way, through touch cues, to create better physical function. This often includes moving through various sounds over time at a steady pace. The patient will move from one sound to the next, at their own pace, as they learn and accomplish the first set of sounds.

The child gains improvement in their skills in multiple ways. This includes the assistance they receive as well as repetition. They also learn to build more complex sounds over time, adding one to the next until they master the sounds fully.

Various techniques are in use that use the muscles, jaw, and face to help create improved sound. This therapy is not just to help individuals learn single speech sounds. Instead, therapists can use this method to help children learn full words, phrases, and sentences.

Who Is a Candidate for PROMPT Therapy?

Many children may benefit from the use of PROMPT . This includes individuals who are typically at least six months or older. They may have a diagnosis of a condition such as:

Apraxia
Dyspraxia
Dysarthria
Autism
Cerebral palsy
Cleft lip and palate repair patients

Treatment for other speech disorders and impairments may also be effective using this method. It is best to use it on those with partial or completely non-verbal children. It may also be an alternative treatment for those with mild articulation delays who have not responded to other types of treatment. It is also suitable for those who have motor speech disorders as well as language disorders.

Is PROMPT Speech Therapy Effective?

Yes, in many ways, it can prove to be one of the most effective methods for improving speech in children. It can help children to accomplish a great deal of improvement in a short timeframe, which helps to create motivation and sparks a significant positive impact on the lives of children.

Choosing a speech therapist certified explicitly in this area is critical to be effective. This includes a professional who has completed training courses and has met certifications beyond just being a speech and language pathologist.

Because this technique can be molded and designed to meet the child's specific needs and for just about any given concern, it is very effective overall. With this method, many children learn new sounds and then also learn new vocabulary and how to use it within their day-to-day needs. It is a type of reprogramming of their current speech production system, and as a result, it has the opportunity to create significant improvement.

How Does PROMPT Therapy Differ from Traditional Approaches?

There are various ways that PROMPT is different from other types of speech therapy. For example, it is a much more hands-on experience designed to improve speech. To work well, the therapist has to use touch cues to help to guide the patient. As the patient learns and expands their skills, the touch cues are removed, one after the other, allowing the further building of those skills. Unlike other methods that rely on repetition, this method is far more hands-on in its functionality.

Also crucial in this type of therapy are the practice activities and the social components of the child's experience. This method is not just a single-track but a more holistic approach that helps to blend social elements, cognitive function, and physical aspects. The experience is also very customizable to meet the child's unique needs.

Learn More

Learn more about PROMPT and other treatments for childhood apraxia and other speech impairments.

About the Author

Myles Nobles is a pediatric speech pathologist in Laurel, MD. With patience and a friendly demeanor, he helps children from all walks of life develop independence, greater confidence, and social well-being by improving speech and language. Treatment plans address developmental, articulation, fluency , and other crucial language skills impeded due to autism and other challenges.

What is Fluency Shaping and How It Helps Reduce Stuttering

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 07:02:21 GMT

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Fluency shaping is a speech therapy treatment that can often improve the speech of those affected by stuttering. Though not all stuttering is curable, many people can see improvement when using this stuttering treatment .

What is Fluency Shaping?

Fluency shaping is not a single method or technique but a series of techniques that help improve speech fluency. Speech fluency is the ease with which you can produce syllables, words, sounds, and phrases in a fluid manner. It relies on various factors like the rate of speaking and the amount of effort you put into the sentence you are saying.

When first used, fluency shaping did not focus on the emotions and attitudes of people who stutter and how that impacts their speech. That's since changed, partly due to research that found fluency shaping therapy works best alongside other techniques.

Fluency-shaping treatment does not teach a person to confront the breaks from the natural flow of speech, or disfluencies, for speech modification, something that many speech-language pathologists teach their patients to do. That, and this therapy doesn't focus on feelings or attitudes surrounding stutter, makes it a very different treatment option than others.

What Are Fluency Shaping Goals?

Also called "talking more easily," this therapy aims to replace stuttered or dysfluent speech with more fluent speech. To achieve this, fluency shaping strategies focus on teaching a person that stutters new speaking patterns to achieve better overall fluency.

What Techniques Are Used in Fluency Shaping?

Many fluency shaping techniques exist. The primary methods used often include:

Improving vowel prolongation
Breath management
Easy phrase initiation
Light contacts on consonant sounds
Slowed stretched speech
Smooth movement
Stretched speech

Many examples exist of how these therapies may work. Here is a look at some of those methods.

Slowed Speech

Sometimes called stretched syllable technique , this method focuses on achieving very deliberate and slow speaking. That typically means aiming for no more than 40 to 60 syllables per minute. To do this, children learn to break each word down into syllables. Then, they work on stretching out each of those syllables to last a full two seconds. This is an unnatural speech pattern and can be hard to do. However, once the student masters this, they can speed up their speech rates to achieve as many as 150 syllables each minute, which is the typical rate for standard fluency.

Breath Management

Though numerous methods of breath management are used, most breath management techniques aim to stop the current poor breathing techniques many children develop over time . These poor habits develop as a child tries to block their repetitions of many years. Some indication that this may be necessary occurs when a child seems to be gulping for air or has quick, very shallow breaths.

One of the methods of improving breathing is called diaphragmatic breathing. To achieve this, the child places one hand on their chest and the other on their stomach. The jaw, mouth, throat, and neck all relax as they breathe. Then, when they breathe in, they aim to feel their stomach rise to the fullest level possible. As they breathe out, they should feel their stomach fall.

This method helps to teach a child how to breathe correctly and relax fully during the process. Diaphragmatic breathing helps improve speech by eliminating many breathing concerns that limit success and cause added tension.

What Is the Likely Outcome of Using Fluency Shaping?

Fluency shaping may help improve stuttering for some children and may be more effective than other types of speech therapy alone. There is some risk of stuttering relapse, but many see continued improvement over time. Although. some people also report that their speech patterns feel unnatural.

Fluency Shaping vs. Stuttering Modification

There is a difference between these two methodologies. Typically, stuttering modifications focus on working specifically with stuttering by increasing awareness of stuttered speech. They may also involve reducing physical tension and changing moments of actual stuttering. These methods help people to stutter with more ease or in a more relaxed way. They can be very beneficial in helping children to decrease sensitivity to their stuttering and to reduce any negative reactions to it. When this type of therapy is utilized, it may help a child feel more open and accepted even with their stuttering.

That's significantly different from what is expected from a fluency-shaping strategy. Fluency shaping strategies focus on voice production, articulation, and speech rate. Here, the goal is to improve fluency disorders , creating a more fluent speech for the individual.

Why Focus on Fluency Shaping?

One of the primary differences in fluency shaping is that it significantly improves the child's fluency to create better speech. When the child has a more fluent speech pattern, it can lead to greater confidence and help reduce negative reactions. It may also promote even more fluency due to their ability to be confident speakers.

Do You Only Need Fluency Shaping?

It's best to work closely with professionals who can offer a customized evaluation. Yet, many school-aged children benefit from fluency-improving strategies and stuttering modifications. Both treatments can be applied simultaneously and, in many cases, offer the best results for the student. Both methods are applied often and lead to stronger fluency skills while directly modifying speech stuttering. This allows the child to have better overall control over their speech.

The utilization of fluency shaping may provide improvements to many people who have struggled with other methods. While it may not be as beneficial used on its own, it can be incorporated into other therapies that aim to improve overall speech quality.

Help Your Child Achieve Their Milestones and Their Potential

Learn more about fluency shaping and other therapies to improve stuttering

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A Parent's Guide to Speech Development

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 08:23:15 GMT

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Saying their first words marks a significant milestone in your child's growth and development. Learning more words and developing language skills will help them to express thoughts, feelings, and needs. At the same time, it's perfectly normal if their speech is not on par with children of the same age. Yet, you may worry whether they will catch up to their peers or feel frustrated not knowing how to help your child.

Like every child, your child is unique, and so is the pace at which they learn to speak and articulate themselves. This starter guide is intended to provide valuable insights on speech development milestones for children.

If you still have concerns, you can speak with a speech-language pathologist and find out whether your child can benefit from speech delay therapy .

Your child should say their first word by their first birthday and steadily continue to acquire speech and language skills . However, cries, smiles, gestures, and babbles between birth to age 1 are all signs of communication and a part of speech and language development.

What Are the Stages of Speech Development?

Speech generally refers to the verbal expression of language. Children develop speech and language in stages, also called milestones, and reach milestones at different ages. Various factors influence how quickly your child starts speaking ( expressive language ) and understanding language ( receptive language ). The level of exposure to speech, sights, and sounds in their environment is key to speech development and language skills.

The following is a general age-related guideline for speech and language development milestones from birth to five years old. It's divided into the prelinguistic stage (0-5 months) and linguistic stage (6 months to 5 years) and can help you get a feel of your child's progress.

Stage 1. Pre-Language Stage (Birth to 5 months)

Your child should use smiles, cries, and coos to communicate pleasure, displeasure, and distress.
Responds with noise when spoken to.

Stage 2. Babbling to One-Word Stage (6-12 months)

Should be able to repeatedly say consonant" "words," like "ma," "ba," and "da"
Begins to recognize your (or caregivers) voice, facial expressions, and names of objects
Can respond to or repeat your sounds
Understands "no" and simple instructions like "come"
Says their first one-syllable word, e.g., "no," or "go" by 12 months

Stage 3. Multi-Word Stage (12-24 months)

Has about 4-7 words in their vocabulary
Can speak in two-word sentences, e.g., "Thank you"
Able to answer simple questions non-verbally
Tries to repeat simple words you say, but words aren't entirely clear
Should have the ability to use 2 to 3 words to label people and objects

Stage 4: (2-3 years)

Speech is becoming clearer and more accurate
Uses 3-word sentences or phrases
Leaves out end sounds in words or words in sentences, e.g., "I see a ball," repeated as "See ball"
Strangers may not quite yet understand what they're saying
Begins to use plurals, e.g., "shoes," pronouns, e.g., "me," and prepositions, e.g., "on"

Stage 5: (3-4 years)

Can use "ing" words, e.g., "talking"
Able to properly use most speech sounds and consonants
Strangers can understand them much more
Able to express ideas and feelings
Can group objects, identify colors, and repeat simple sentences

Stage 6: (4-5 years)

Most people can understand their speech
Understands complex and "why" questions
Difficulty pronouncing complex words, e.g., "hippopotamus"
Can use a few irregular past tense verbs, such as "ran" and "saw"

Your child may not follow the exact sequence above. Also, the rate at which your child reaches each milestone will vary from their peers. Nevertheless, the milestones guideline helps doctors and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) determine if your child is on track. If not, they may recommend therapy for speech delay as a solution.

Help Your Child Achieve Their Milestones and Their Potential

If you're in Maryland and suspect your child is experiencing speech delays, we invite you to learn more about the speech delay programs at Nobles Speech Therapy, LLC. Our programs are designed to help your child reach their full speech and language potential.

What You Should Know About Kids Stuttering

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 02:19:47 GMT

Here are things you should know about kids stuttering.

Stuttering is a common childhood problem that usually disappears on its own. However, some children continue to stutter into adulthood, which can impede their ability to communicate and damage their self-esteem. Speech therapy can help many children who stutter , so if you're worried about your child's speech, it's worth consulting a speech therapist.

Transforming Lives through Early Stuttering Intervention

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDOCD), stuttering is a fluency disorder affecting as many as three million Americans . Although most preschoolers experience some form of stuttering when learning to talk, the NIDOCD says 75% will eventually develop usual fluency in speech. Here we look at what you should know about kids stuttering and the steps you can take to help them develop proper speech.

What Causes Stuttering in Children?

Although the cause of stuttering is unknown, it is most likely related to developing neural pathways associated with speech and language. As toddlers learn to speak, they are contending with thousands of words in a very short period. They also must learn how to express themselves, balance their emotions and use the right words to communicate.

With all this going on, it is not surprising young children stutter as they develop their speech and language skills. Many children who don’t usually stutter might stutter when they are excited or feel stressed, such as meeting new people or being asked difficult questions.

For most kids, stuttering is developmental, and they’ll outgrow it. However, according to the NIDOCD, about 25% of children develop chronic stuttering that can remain with them into adulthood. This impacts their ability to communicate as well as their self-esteem. That’s why it’s essential to seek assistance when you notice your child continues to struggle with stuttering. Early therapy can help them develop proper fluency at an early age.

How to Help a Child Who Stutters

Watching your child struggle to communicate due to a stutter can be painful. However, there are a few things you can do to help:

Be patient and listen carefully, maintaining eye contact while they speak
Avoid trying to complete their sentences or say the word for them
Practice conversation with your child in a quiet setting, such as at dinner time, as often as you can
Be conscious of how you speak, choosing a slower pace to show your child how to talk slowly to help avoid stuttering
Create a calm environment where everyone is encouraged to speak freely without pressure
Avoid drawing attention to their stutter
Avoid stressful situations such as asking difficult questions in front of others or putting pressure on them when helping them with schoolwork.
Praise them when they speak slowly and clearly and avoid correcting them too often.
If you correct their speech, be positive and supportive, helping them with their pronunciation and being patient.

Remaining supportive is the best way to avoid your child developing self-esteem issues or becoming self-conscious about speaking. Have siblings and close family members use the same helpful tips so your child feels comfortable talking. This also presents more opportunities for them to practice speaking in a safe environment.

Can Speech Therapy Fix Stuttering?

Yes. Although not all stutters can be resolved entirely, they can be lessened to make it easier for your child to communicate. Stuttering occurs when a child has difficulty planning the motor movements required to express their thoughts. A trained speech-language pathologist helps improve this process, so your child can find their voice and overcome communication issues.

A child speech pathologist uses fluency shaping and other techniques to help reduce the severity of stuttering issues. Fluency disorder treatment also helps build your child's confidence and ability to express themselves clearly.

As children get older, they will become more aware of reactions from peers and teachers, which means they might avoid speaking or developing their language skills out of fear of pronouncing more difficult words. This can stay with them for life, interfering with their education, relationships, and career. A speech pathologist will encourage your child to speak more often, using stuttering therapy that reduces the severity and frequency of their stutter.

Does Developmental Stuttering Go Away?

Yes. Most children experience “disfluencies” as preschoolers that naturally go away as they become more confident and develop their language skills. When stuttering persists or worsens, early therapy is the best way to reduce or even completely overcome stuttering. Symptoms to watch for in your child include:

Difficulty starting a sentence or word
Prolonging sounds within a word
Repetition of the same word, syllable, or sound when trying to speak
Brief silence or pausing before saying the next word
Constant interjections of sounds such as "um"
Facial or upper body tension when trying to speak
Reluctance to speak
Building anxiety when talking
Inability to communicate effectively

If Your Child Stutters, We Invite You to Learn More About Stuttering Treatment.

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A Speech Therapy Guide for Parents With an Autistic Child

Fri, 13 May 2022 07:56:12 GMT

You might be wondering if speech therapy is a good option for your autistic child. There are many reasons why you might want to consider it. Maybe they are not talking as much as you think they should be, or they are having many problems with communication and navigating age-appropriate social situations. Speech therapy with a pediatric speech pathologist can help them learn to speak better and communicate more effectively.

If you're considering speech therapy for your autistic child , you're in the right place. A parent's guide to speech therapy for kids with autism has everything you need to know.

Communication Breakthroughs: Autism & Speech Therapy ��

What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a type of treatment that helps people with speech, language, and communication disorders. These disorders may result from a stroke, brain injury, developmental delay, hearing loss, or autism. Speech therapy can help people learn to speak more clearly and effectively. It can also help with problems communicating through nonverbal means, such as facial expressions or gestures.

Speech Therapy Methods for Autism

There are several different speech therapy methods for children with autism . One approach is to improve the child's communication skills through play. Speech therapists may use games, toys, and other activities to help the child learn to communicate more effectively. They may also work on teaching the child how to understand and respond to others' conversations.

Another approach to speech therapy for autism is to work on improving the child's speech sounds. This can be done through several different techniques, such as prompt therapy speech and articulation therapy, which helps the child learn to make new sounds, or phonics-based approaches, which help the child learn to read and pronounce words correctly.

Still, other speech therapists may focus on helping the child develop social skills . This can involve teaching the child to participate in conversations, make eye contact, and understand nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions.

The specific approach that a speech therapist takes will depend on the child's individual needs. However, all approaches to speech therapy for autism should be tailored to the child's unique strengths and weaknesses.

How Does Autism Affect a Child's Learning?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that can impact how a child perceives the world and how they interact with others. ASD can make it difficult for children to communicate effectively and process sensory information. As a result, children with ASD may benefit from speech therapy to help them develop the skills they need to interact with others and learn effectively.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to speech therapy for children with ASD, as each child is unique and will require individualized treatment. However, there are some general goals that speech therapists may work on with kids with ASD, such as improving communication skills, teaching social skills, and helping the child process sensory information more effectively.

Symptoms That Impair Speech Development in Autism

Some children with ASD may not speak at all, while others may learn to talk at a slower pace or with an odd tone of voice. Their speech may be characterized by:

Delayed onset of language development
Problems with articulation
Repetitive or stereotyped phrases and words
Inappropriate speech patterns and intonation
Limited vocabulary skills

The Speech Therapy Process and How It Works

Speech therapy for children with ASD typically involves a combination of individual and group sessions. During each session, the child speech pathologist will work with your child to improve their communication skills through fine-motor exercises and games that help them practice vocabulary and social skills.

Some therapists may also incorporate other forms of treatment, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, into their sessions. ABA therapy is a type of behavior therapy that focuses on improving communication and social skills by teaching children how to respond to various stimuli in their environment.

The number of sessions your child will need will depend on their individual needs and goals. Some children may only need a few sessions, while others require ongoing treatment throughout childhood. Your speech therapist can work with you to create a plan tailored to your child's needs and help them achieve their goals.

How to Find a Speech-Language Pathologist

If you think your child could benefit from speech therapy for autism, the first step is to talk to their pediatrician or a specialist who has experience with children on the autism spectrum. They can refer you to a qualified pediatric speech pathologist who may be able to help improve your child's communication skills and social development.

Once you find a therapist, it's essential to ask about their experience working with children on the autism spectrum. Some therapists may also have training in other disciplines or approaches, such as ABA therapy, that can be a valuable complement to speech therapy.

Take some time to do your research and find a therapist who has the experience, skills, and knowledge needed to help your child reach their full potential.

Speech Therapy Activities for Autism

Speech therapy can be a valuable tool in helping children with autism learn to communicate more effectively and interact with others. The goals of speech therapy for autism will vary depending on the individual child's needs. However, some common goals that therapists may work on with kids with ASD include improving communication skills, teaching social skills, and helping the child process sensory information more effectively.

Some Speech Therapy activities that may help to achieve these goals include:

Exercises to improve fine motor skills and coordination
Games that work on language development and vocabulary usage
Activities that stimulate the child's senses, such as touch, taste, smell, and sight
Role-playing exercises to help children understand social cues and responses
Use devices such as picture boards or tablets to communicate through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) therapy

What are the Benefits of Speech Therapy for Children with ASD?

One of the key benefits of speech therapy for children with autism is that it can help them learn to communicate more effectively. This can be especially beneficial for children who have difficulty communicating verbally, as they may struggle to make themselves understood or understand others. Speech therapy can also help these kids develop social skills essential for everyday life. In addition, speech therapy can help improve a child's overall quality of life by teaching them how to communicate their needs and wants better.

How Do I Get My Child Started on Therapy?

One of the first steps is finding an appropriate speech therapist for your child. You will want to consult with your pediatrician before making any decisions, but it can be helpful to have already an idea of what type of therapy your child needs. For example, suppose your child has significant difficulty forming words correctly and is not yet ready for more socially-based therapy. In that case, you may want to seek out a speech therapist who specializes in articulation disorders.

If you are unsure of where to start your search, many resources are available to you. Many pediatricians and schools can provide recommendations, or you could check out online forums and support groups that discuss speech therapy options in your area. You can also look into professional organizations in your state to see who they recommend for speech therapy services.

Once you have identified a few therapists whose methods seem like they might be a good fit for your child, you should contact them and set up a time to speak with them individually. You will want to ask about their experience working with children who have similar issues as your child and make sure that they are familiar with any specific speech difficulties or problems that you have noticed. It is also important to inquire about the frequency and duration of therapy sessions and how long the therapist anticipates your child will need to continue treatment.

After you have had a chance to speak with each therapist, you can decide which one you would like to work with. You will need to work with the therapist to set up a schedule for therapy sessions. It is essential to be as consistent as possible with attendance, giving your child the best chance for success.

Conclusion

Speech therapy can be an incredibly beneficial treatment option for children with ASD. If you think that your child may benefit from this type of therapy, talk to your doctor or a speech therapist to get started. With the proper support, your child can learn the skills they need to communicate effectively and live a happy and fulfilling life.

If Your Child Is on the Autism Spectrum and You’re Interested in Learning More About Speech Therapy, Read More Here.

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Ten Signs Your Child May Need a Speech-Language Pathologist

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:25:00 GMT

All children develop differently based on their unique make-up. However, there are certain milestones that your child should reach by certain ages. For instance, by the age of one or two, your child should be able to speak with short sentences, and by four or five, they should be able to hold more advanced conversations.

It can be a scary situation for parents who witness a lack of speech development in their children. Fortunately, speech therapy for kids is an excellent way for your child to develop conversational skills, understand social cues, and help improve their overall quality of life at home and school. If you feel your child is struggling with a speech disorder and want to help them succeed, it's essential to contact a speech-language pathologist for help.

Below Are Ten Signs That Indicate Your Child Might Need Help From a Speech-Language Pathologist.

1. Not Responding to His or Her Name

Perhaps one of the earliest signs that your child might be suffering from a development issue is not being able to respond to their own name. Studies show that these children are more likely to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or ASD. However, this issue might also indicate a problem with hearing or issues with receptive language skills.

A child speech-language pathologist will be able to refer you to the appropriate medical professionals who can help treat your child's ASD while also providing therapy to help improve your child’s speech and communication skills.

2. Stuttering

Even if your child is speaking in complete sentences, some children might develop what is known as a stutter. This is a condition where they repeat the first letter of a word and have trouble articulating sentences. For instance, "c-c-c-cat" instead of simply saying "cat." Stuttering can go away on its own before the age of five. However, in children over the age of five that have a worsening stutter, or in children with severe stutters, it's best to get the help of a speech and language pathologist.

3. Failing to Follow Directions

Children should be able to follow simple directions, such as "pick up the toy" or "drink water." However, if you notice your child staring at you blankly, not understanding your commands, or continually disregarding them, it might be more than just a behavioral issue.

They might need help from a speech therapist who can help them improve their receptive language skills.

4. Omitting Syllables

Leaving out certain syllables in words can signify a phonological process disorder. This is a disorder in which children have trouble pronouncing certain words or sounds and continue to make the same "mistakes" when speaking. A speech-language pathologist will determine the extent of a child's phonological process disorder and provide treatment such as prompt speech therapy to improve their ability to pronounce syllables and more complex vocabulary.

5. A Cleft Lip/Palate

If your child was born with a cleft lip or palate and has since had it corrected, they might still require speech therapy . Children born with this condition might have issues making certain sounds and speaking clearly, or even have physical problems such as eating correctly.

They will need help from a speech-language pathologist, who will provide support for disorders such as velopharyngeal insufficiency. This disorder affects the soft palate of the mouth and makes it difficult for your child to say certain sounds containing the letter "m" and n." A speech-language pathologist will determine if therapy can correct this issue or if your child needs more intensive levels of treatment such as surgery.

6. Refusing to Speak

If your child becomes shy in social situations or becomes selectively mute, this is a serious disorder known as selective mutism (SM). This disorder can be characterized by a child refusing to speak in certain situations, speaking in a low whisper, or using non-verbal cues such as pointing or grunting. Due to the complexity of selective mutism, it's crucial parents get the help of a speech-language pediatric pathologist, who can determine whether a child's selective mutism is due to behavioral issues, social anxiety, or even trauma.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments for selective mutism based on behavioral approaches and cognitive-behavioral therapy. A speech-language pathologist can help administer these unique treatments for your child.

7. Indistinct Speaking

By age four, you should be able to understand at least partly what your child is saying. For instance, even a stranger should understand the conversation your child is trying to have with them. Not understanding what your child is trying to say by age four is typically not a good sign and should be investigated by a speech-language pathologist.

8. Using Only One-Word Sentences

If your child does not use sentences or remember more advanced vocabulary, this could be a sign of Developmental Expressive Language Disorder . Although this is a common disorder in school-aged children, it should be addressed by a child speech pathologist.

9. Uses the Same Word for Different Things

It's common for very young children to use the same word to refer to many objects, such as "ball," for any type of toy. However, continually referring to different things using the same word should not persist past 12 months. A speech-language pathologist can help expand your child's vocabulary and help increase their ability to express themselves.

10. Changes Consonant Sounds

If your child consistently changes the sounds of words, such as "tat" with "cat," this could signify an issue in developmental language. It's essential to address this to prevent your child from continuously mispronouncing words, impacting their ability to communicate with other children and teachers, and affecting their school performance.

Want to Learn More?

It's normal for children to develop communication skills at different rates . However, if you're concerned that your child is showing any of these signs, it could be time for an assessment by a speech language expert. Early intervention can help your child's development and maximize their learning and communication skills.

What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?

Speech-language pathologists, or SLPs, are experts trained in communication that can help toddlers, children and adults with a range of communication issues. These include problems with speech sounds, language, social communication, and issues with swallowing. Both children and adults can be affected by these issues, impeding their ability to communicate effectively. An SLP is trained in providing therapy to improve symptoms of these disorders.

How Does an SLP Treat Language Disorders?

The most common treatment for language disorders is speech therapy. An SLP might play and interact with your child during speech therapy, modeling different sounds and syllables to show your child the correct pronunciation. They might also develop exercises to be done at home that can improve your child's ability to communicate.

How Long Will Speech Therapy Last?

Speech therapy treatments typically last about 30 minutes with your child. Correcting an articulation difference will usually take about 15 to 20 hours or 30 to 40 treatment sessions. However, your child's speech-language pathologist will determine whether more or less treatment is needed or if your child needs to be referred to a specialist such as a neurologist.

S Sound Speech Therapy for Kids

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 06:38:56 GMT

This article will provide you with an overview of S sound speech therapy and how it can help your child's language development.

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However, this can make your child feel criticized, interfering with their self-esteem. This poses frustration for both you and your child. Luckily, there is a solution: articulation speech therapy . Therapy is more likely to see positive results in helping your child learn how to pronounce S sounds,. This guide will provide you with an overview of S sound speech therapy and how it can help children improve their language development without breaking their confidence .

What is an Articulation Disorder?

An articulation disorder is related to the improper pronunciation of sounds and words. Considered “atypical production of speech sounds,” it is difficult for your child to express themselves, as people can’t understand what they are saying. When sounds come out wrong, your child can experience frustration because they are unable to communicate effectively. In the case of S sounds, your child has a lisp or sigmatism.

What is Sigmatism?

When a child pronounces their S’s as th, it is referred to as a lisp or sigmatism. The S sound is challenging because S’s are “unvoiced.” This means the vocal cords are not involved, and instead, it is a sound created by air traveling from the mouth through the teeth. Positioning can be harder to master because first, the tip of the tongue has to be placed just behind the front teeth and almost, but not quite touching, the roof of the mouth. At the same time, there has to be space for air to travel down the middle of the tongue with the sides resting against the side of the teeth. The teeth are also involved, as they need to be together to make the SSSSS sound.

What is Articulation Speech Therapy for Kids?

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) performs articulation speech therapy. SLPs are highly trained professionals who understand how to assess and provide treatment for your child’s speech issues. They use various methods to improve your child’s communication ability, using techniques targeting their specific challenges. S words speech therapy is specific to the proper pronunciation of the S sound. Speech-language pathologists use special exercises to teach your child how to move different parts of the mouth so their tongue and lips are properly positioned to produce sounds correctly.

What Therapy is Required for My Child?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to speech disorders, and your SLP will first assess your child to determine what method will work for them. A few different therapies are often explored until your SLP learns what techniques your child responds to best. Games and activities make treatment fun, so your child looks forward to their sessions.

Why is S Sound Speech Therapy Important?

When your child has difficulty with pronunciation, it interferes with their confidence and ability to communicate clearly. As they enter their school years, improper speech can impact their social well-being. As a parent, it is natural to try to help your child correct them and show them how to pronounce words correctly. However, children might perceive this as criticism, no matter how well-intended.

As a result, they don’t respond well. An SLP provides a specific treatment using methods suited for your child’s needs. In many cases, the techniques and therapies change to best meet your child’s development rate to overcome their language challenges. Many methods include games and activities, so your child has fun. Their confidence isn’t impacted because they learn in a safe environment where they can progress at their own pace. Whether it is S sound speech therapy, R sound speech therapy, or a combination to address multiple pronunciation issues, improving a child's communication skills will boost their confidence and facilitate a sense of social well-being.

When Does My Child Need Speech Articulation Therapy?

Children typically master certain sounds based on their age. You might not even realize your child struggles with their speech because you become accustomed to their pronunciation. It is also common to assume your child’s speech will improve as they get older. However, if you notice your child pronounces S words with a “th” sound, they have not yet mastered their S’s. You can use these guidelines to see if your child’s speech is developing as expected:

Toddler to age 3: p, b, m, w, h, t, d, k, g
Age 4: ng, f
Age 5: v, j, ch, sh, dj, l, s
Age 6: z, r, r-blends, s-blends , l-blends
Age 7: th

If your child has not met these milestones, a speech therapist can assess their language development to determine if treatment is recommended.

How to Teach S Sound Speech Therapy

There are two ways you can help your child learn how to pronounce the S sound:

1. Verbal Cues

Verbal cues help your child learn how an S should sound. You can sit with them and continue to pronounce the S sound slowly and clearly. Don’t draw it out too long, but instead repeat the sound in short little bursts: S, S, S to help them get a feel for the sound. Next, form simple syllables such as sa, su, se and have them try to repeat the sounds with you. You can then introduce single-syllable words such as sew, sea, sap, sit, etc. As they become more comfortable with the sound, you can move up to sentences.

2. Visual Cues

You can include visual cues with your exercises, showing your child what you do with your mouth. Although the tongue is hidden behind your teeth, you can put your fingers at the corners of your mouth, expose your teeth clearly, and have your child do the same. Your child might have fun watching themselves doing this in the mirror while making S sounds.

S Sound Activities Speech Therapy

Activities make practicing the S sound more fun. Games are an excellent way for a child to both say and hear the letter S. A straightforward approach is to think of ways to use S words as a game. For example, snake. Sit together and hiss, making hand movements mimicking the slithering of a snake. You can slither around the room together, making the hissing sound so they get a feel for the air against their teeth. Keep the game creative, such as finding things in the room that start with s to hiss at, or foods a snake might eat that start with s, or saying fun snake rhymes or descriptions such as slithery snake, slimy snake, silly snake, etc.

See who can come up with the silliest ideas, such as snake salad or snake soup. You can also play eye spy, focusing on either the word spy or see, or only spying things that start with S. This is an excellent game in the car to pass the time. When playing cards, have your child shout out Seven or Six when they spot the cards. Use the word face to make funny faces together or paint or draw faces. Get creative and come up with your own S-word games.

S Sound Speech Therapy Words

When we pronounce words, they contain an initial, medial and final sound. The sounds can be created by consonants, vowels, or digraphs like sh. The initial sound is the first sound we hear in a word like the S in snake. The medial sound is in the middle of the word, such as the S in western. And of course, the final sound is the last sound, such as the S in grass. Practicing variations of where the S appears is very helpful in learning proper pronunciation. Don’t always focus on words that start with S, but words with S throughout. This helps them become accustomed to using S in conversation.

How Articulation Speech Therapy Works

Before your child begins S sound speech therapy, you will have a brief call to discuss your concerns. Your therapist will discuss details about your child's communications skills, developmental milestones, and other assessment areas. An assessment evaluates your child using industry-standard speech and language development benchmarks. They provide a treatment plan specific to your child’s needs. Treatment is designed to be fun, in a safe environment where your child feels comfortable. Sessions are 30 minutes with their SLP.

Following each session, your child’s SLP will provide updates on their progress. A big part of therapy is practice, and your child will be sent home with supplemental materials for reinforcement. As your child progresses, you will see their confidence levels rise while their frustration levels decrease. Their treatment plan will be adjusted to meet their progress, so they continue to develop their communication and speech skills.

Learn more about how articulation therapy can help your child pronounce difficult words with S and other challenging phonemes.

Complete Guide to R Speech Therapy and How It Can Help Your Child

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 13:24:51 GMT

It isn't too concerning if your child can't pronounce R as a preschooler. Rs are the most difficult letter to pronounce, and often kids won't fully develop the ability until the age of seven. However, if you are finding your attempts to teach your child to pronounce their Rs properly is causing conflict, it could interfere with family dynamics and your child's confidence.

The inability to pronounce Rs is a speech impediment called rhoticism. It is so common there is speech therapy specifically designed to help children pronounce their Rs. This is a complete guide to R speech therapy and how it can help your child learn to make the R sound stress-free.

Master 'R' Sounds with Ease!

What is Rhoticism?

Rhoticism is the most common speech disorder children experience. Inability to pronounce the R sound usually leads to a child pronouncing their Rs as Ws. This is because there are more variations of the letter R pronouncement than any other letter. Adding to the difficulty, it isn't easy to show a child how to position their mouth and tongue to make the sound correctly. For example, when showing a child to make the letter B, they can see the movement of your lips, making it easier for them to mimic you and make the sound.

When Should a Child Be Able to Say Their R's?

R is usually the last letter children learn to make. In most cases, a child begins to say forms of their Rs by about two and a half and has it perfected by the age of six. For some, however, development might not be perfected until as late as age seven . In most cases, rhoticism isn't addressed until a child approaches age seven or eight, but R sound speech therapy and coaching can start sooner.

Why Are There So Many Variations of R?

The R sound occurs most frequently when speaking English. It is challenging to master because it has so many variations in pronunciation. Where the R occurs in the word influences how the R should sound. Variations include:

R as in run
RL as in pearl
IRE as in fire
AR as in far
EAR as in dear
OR as in door
ER as in sister
AIR as in dare

With so many variations, you can see why it might be more challenging for a child to learn to master each sound with the rest of their letters.

How Can I Help My Child Say Rs?

Parents can also learn to assist their child with some fun exercises such as:

Connect Rs to Vowels

Many children find it easier to say their Rs with a vowel. R blends speech therapy such as making your way through the vowels, making it easier to understand how to pronounce R in different variations. First, pronouncing the vowel, either long or short, holding the sound, and then adding an R at the end helps your child hear how the letters sound together. For long A, you would begin with them saying aaaaaa and then adding the R to say aaaaaarrrrrr as in air. Then for the short, they would start saying ahhhhhhh and then add the R to say ahhhhrrrrr as in car.

Tongue Movement

As mentioned, one of the challenges with R's is the difficulty providing visual cues to show them how to pronounce the letter. Since you can't show them your tongue, you can try using your arm to show them by extending your arm out to the front and then pulling it up towards your body as you pronounce the R.

R Sound Activities

Always approach the exercises as something fun you can do together, so your child isn't self-conscious or nervous. For example, Rs are very much like growls. Have your child act out being certain animals like a cranky dog growling or a mighty lion roaring. Have them roll the R out as they mimic each animal. Pirates also make an R sound when they say "argh." You can dress up as pirates to practice the sounds. You can also watch their favorite cartoon and whenever a character makes an R sound have them shout it out or repeat it.

Use Rs Every Day

Find opportunities to pronounce Rs with your child, whether pointing out foods in the grocery store with Rs, items in a park, or even when your child hears you say an R.

Practicing R words speech therapy at home can be very helpful, but success is more likely with the help of a speech therapist.

What Causes Rhoticism?

Speech disorders like rhoticism are related to difficulty making sounds when speaking. In the case of rhoticism, it is related to not tensing their tongue enough or failing to move it correctly. Trying to master the up and backward movement when pronouncing R's can be tricky, which is why children often start by making a W sound instead. The child sees most letters pronounced with the lips, while Rs are pronounced with the tongue.

How Does R Speech Therapy Help?

R sound speech therapy can make a world of difference for your child. Your child's therapist provides a safe learning environment where they won't feel judged or pressured. Speech therapists take time to build a rapport with their patients to feel more comfortable during the process. Parents can often inadvertently cause a child to feel they are under attack or doing something wrong. Speech therapists alleviate that family stress providing neutral ground where a child can feel less vulnerable. Their goal is to assist your child in learning how to move their tongue to achieve the correct positions to pronounce their Rs correctly.

Each child is treated as an individual with an assessment to understand their challenges and then use different methods to find the approach that they respond to best. Therapists make articulation therapy fun using games and activities that children respond to well. Your child will improve over time, enjoying small successes each session until the Rs roll naturally off their tongue. Through practice, they learn how to make R sounds, add Rs to syllables, then words, phrases, and complete sentences with confidence !

We invite you to learn more about how Articulation Speech Therapy at Nobles Speech Therapy can help your child pronounce the R sound better and overcome other speech difficulties.