Printable Books for Your Family : Little Cloud

http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/dsi/littlecloud.pdf

What is Autism?

Check out this youtube video!


 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aisLvQIP9FE

6 Tips for Speaking with Someone Who Stutters

Classroom Suggestions for Children Who Stutter

National Pie Day January 23rd

National Pie Day

The first pies appeared around 9500 BC in the Egyptian Neolithic period or New Stone Age.

Here's a fun Tid-BitPie throwing:
Cream filled or topped pies are favorite props for humor.  Throwing a pie in a person’s face has been a staple of film comedy since Ben Turpin received one in Mr. Flip in 1909.

National Pie Day was created by the American Pie Council.  The American Pie Celebration began in 1986 to commemorate Crisco’s 75th anniversary of “serving foods to families everywhere”.

Where can you go to get deals to score some pie?

Shari's - Get a free slice of pie when you sign up for their Cafe Club.

Old Country Buffet - Enjoy a whole pie for $6.99

McDonald's - Use their app and get a free pie with any purchase!

How Speech Therapy Works?

How Speech Therapy Works

SLPs ( Speech-Language Pathologist) figure out what kind of language problem a child or adult has. They determine what’s causing it and decide on the best treatment. SLPs may help kids build skills by working with them one-on-one, in small groups, or in the classroom.

If your child has trouble reading and spelling, speech therapy may not seem like the obvious answer. Many people think that speech therapists only work with people who have trouble making certain sounds (articulation) or who have stutters or lisps.

Speech therapists do handle those speech issues. But they also help kids with other kinds of problems with spoken and written language, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and auditory processing disorder. In fact, a speech therapist is more accurately called a speech-language pathologist.

Different Focuses:

SLP can help with -

• Articulation problems: Not speaking clearly and making errors in sounds.
• Fluency problems: Trouble with the flow of speech, such as stuttering.
• Resonance or voice problems: Trouble with voice pitch, volume and quality.
• Oral feeding problems: Difficulty with eating, swallowing and drooling.

SLP can help treat - 

• Receptive language problems: Trouble understanding (receiving) language.
• Expressive language problems: Trouble speaking (expressing) language.
• Pragmatic language problems: Trouble using language in socially appropriate ways.

SLPs use strategies tailored for each child’s particular challenge. Strategies might include:

• Language intervention activities: These activities build skills in a variety of ways, including modeling and giving kids feedback. The therapist might use pictures and books or play-based therapy. She may also use language drills to practice skills.
• Articulation therapy: The SLP models the sounds the child has difficulty with. This might include demonstrating how to move the tongue to create specific sounds.
• Feeding and swallowing therapy: The SLP teaches the child exercises to strengthen the muscles of the mouth. This might include facial massage and various tongue, lip and jaw exercises. She might also use different food textures to encourage awareness during eating and swallowing.

The Benefits of Speech Therapy

Speech therapy can help kids learn to speak more clearly. This helps them feel more confident and less frustrated about speaking to others. Kids who have language issues can benefit socially, emotionally and academically from speech therapy.

For kids with reading issues such as dyslexia, speech therapy can help them hear and distinguish specific sounds in words: the word bat breaks down into b, a, and t sounds. This can improve reading comprehension skills and encourage kids to read.

Speech therapy is especially beneficial when kids begin early in life. In one study, 70 percent of preschool kids with language issues who went through speech therapy showed improvement in language skills.

Results You Can Expect From Speech Therapy

Your child’s work with a speech therapist may last for months or even for a few years. It depends on your child’s needs. You will probably see improvement in your child’s issues. Remember, though, that therapy can’t “cure” your child. The underlying speech or language issue will still be there.

The therapist should give you and your child strategies to deal with obstacles more effectively. She will likely give you activities to practice at home to reinforce the skills your child is learning. Kids who make the most progress tend to be those whose get involved in their treatment.

It’s important that the speech therapist and your child are a good match. The speech therapist should have experience working with kids with your child’s specific issue. Speech therapy is just one way to help a child with learning issues related to language and speech.

Key Takeaways

• Speech therapy isn’t a quick fix. It takes hard work over many months or even years.

• It’s helpful if the speech therapist has experience working with kids with your child’s issue.

• Your involvement—like practicing exercises at home—can make speech therapy more effective.

Sources: https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/therapies/what-you-need-to-know-about-speech-therapy?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkNfSBRCSARIsAL-u3X-m2ENYuDwF_WTWFVQPTG9ovENZRQlrmYfQ6xC7kwg-AU4V-QNRgswaAmLOEALw_wcB

Raising Awareness for Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked in countries around the world, including the United States. It is estimated that human trafficking generates many billions of dollars of profit per year, second only to drug trafficking as the most profitable form of transnational crime. 



Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to lure their victims and force them into labor or commercial sexual exploitation. They look for people who are susceptible for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, lack of a social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability. 

To learn more or to help, see link below:

https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking

International Day of Person's with Disabilities

December 3rd, 2017 is the international person's with disabilities day. 

This international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

This years theme is Transformation towards Sustainable and Resilient Society for all. Check out this website for more information.

Thanksgiving Fun Facts

In celebration of thanksgiving this week, here are 5 Thanksgiving fun facts! 

• Americans eat 46 million turkeys each thanksgiving 
• The very first Thanksgiving was held in 1621
• Thanksgiving is the reason for TV Dinners! - There was so much left over turkey someone had the idea to put it in an aluminum tray to heat up later. 
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924
• There were no forks at the first Thanksgiving! Only spoons and knifes. 

Dyslexia Awareness Month

Dyslexia Awareness Month

Dyslexia is defined as difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities. Typically, Dyslexia results from a deficit in the phonological component of language. 

Dyslexia Awareness month was first celebrated in 2002. 

You can help raise awareness by using the hashtag #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth on social media! 

Resources:

• http://nild.org/october-is-national-dyslexia-month-do-you-know-the-signs/

National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month

1 out of every 5 students report being bullied according to PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. 

October is the National Bullying Prevention Month. October 25th is unity day. Where we raise awareness by wearing and sharing orange. This day was initiated by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center in October of 2006. It has since grown to an entire month of raising awareness to prevent bullying. 

This year, for every #CleantheMean post on Facebook or Instagram, clarisonic will donate $1 to PACER's National Prevention Center (up to $100,000.) Get involved and help raise awareness by posting using the hashtag #CleantheMean! 

Resources:

• http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/

International Stuttering Awareness Day

International Stuttering Awareness Day

International Stuttering Awareness Day is Oct. 22nd. To help raise awareness and celebrate here are some fun facts and myths about stuttering:

• Over three million Americans stutter
• Children who stutter are at a higher risk for bullying
• Stuttering affects three to four times as many males as females
• Approximately 5% of all children go through a period of stuttering that last six months or more. 3 quarters will recover by late childhood, leaving 1% with a long term stutter.
• Studies show that people who stutter are as intelligent and well-adjusted as those who don't. 
• Nervousness does NOT cause stuttering
• Famous people who stutter include Emily Blunt, Joe Biden, and Marilyn Monroe

Your response when conversing with a person who stutters is important. It is not an appropriate response to tell them to "think about what you say first" or to "take a deep breath before talking." It is also not favorable to finish their sentences. A more appropriate response would be to listen patiently and treat them as you normally would treat someone in a conversation.  

Our very own speech language pathologist, Tiffani, has written a wonderful article regarding her journey with stuttering and her own fluency disorder. Check it out here! 

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Down Syndrome is a condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome. The physical features and medical problems associated with down syndrome can vary widely from child-to-child. Kids with Down Syndrome tend to share certain physical features such as a flat facial profile, an upward slant to the eyes, small ears, and protruding tongue. Some also may have low muscle tone (called hypotonia), which is also a characteristic.

Today, many kids with down syndrome go to school, hold jobs, and enjoy many of the same activities as other kids their age. They go to college, and transition to semi-independent living as well. 

This month is not about celebrating disabilities, it's about celebrating abilities! Join us in celebrating and raising awareness. 

Resources:

• http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/
• http://downsyndromecommunity.org

10 Benefits of Building Blocks

Did you know the benefits of development when it comes to building with blocks or legos?

1. Problem Solving 

Problem solving is beneficial in block building as it requires the builder to think about how to make this block structure stand on it's on. Problem solving on how to place the pieces to benefit the structure. 

2. Imagination

Imagination comes into play when the builder decides what to build. Sometimes it is thought of beforehand and sometimes the structure just comes together as they problem solve. They get to follow their own plan or work together as a team to create the structure they envision. 

3. Self-Expression

When children get to express themselves through art no matter if they are drawing, dancing, or building they are expressing their thoughts and in turn themselves. 

4. Mathematics

Carefully calculating the number of blocks on each side or tall is vital in the building process. You must calculate out the blocks in order to create a sturdy structure. 

5. Continuity & Permanence

Building block engages spatial awareness and mobile abilities. It can be in the sense of parallel play or working together as a group. 

6. Creativity 

Along with self-expression, children get to be creative on what they build. They use their imaginations to come up with a concept and problem solve to make it come to life!

7. Science

This activity is an opportunity to test hypotheses and build scientific reasoning through play and imagination. 

8. Self-Esteem

Children discover that they have ideas and that they can bring their ideas to life by creating, transforming, demolishing, and re-creating something unique. 

9. Social and Emotional Growth

Blocks help children learn to take turns and share, develop friendships, become self-reliant, increases attention span, follow directions, and develop confidence in their abilities. 

10. Fine Motor Skills

Using your fingers to manipulate different size and textures of blocks helps in the development of fine motor skills. 

Back to School

It is almost time to go back to school!

Have you adjusted your therapy schedule to accommodate the school schedule? 

Tahoma School District has made changes to the upcoming 2017-2018 school year! Click here to find the new changes and start/end times. 

Let us know if you need to change your appointment time. 

Afternoon time slots are filling up fast!

Ear Infections in Children

Ear Infections are common in infants and children. In some cases, it can affect hearing and sometimes language development. 

         Two out of three children get at least one middle ear-infection (optitis media) by the age of 3. 1 out of 3 of these children will experience at least 3 infections. 50% of children have at least one ear infection by their first birthday. Unfortunately, the earlier the child gets their first one, the more susceptible they are to recurrent episodes. 

         Recurrent and middle ear fluid infections may experience mild to moderate hearing loss, which can affect the speech/hearing learning process. When fluid builds up in the ear, it can cause temporary hearing loss. 

         Children ages 2 to 4 have shorter, more horizontal eustachian tubes than adults that let bacteria and viruses find their way to the middle ear more easily. A common cold of flu can also lead to ear infections. 

Learn how to detect, treat, and prevent ear infections here!

7 Tips for Talking with Your Child

Most children who stutter benefit from taking time to speak at a rate that promotes fluency. Here are a few tips on how you can help your child's fluency when speaking to them. 

1. Reduce the Pace - Speak with your child in a unhurried way, pausing frequently.

2. Full Listening - Increase the times that you give your child your undivided attention.

3. Asking Questions - Try to resist asking one question after another. Sometimes it's best to just comment on what your child has said and wait. 

4. Turn Taking - Take turns listening and talking. Children find it much easier to speak when there are fewer interruptions.

5. Building Confidence  - Use descriptive praise to build confidence.

6. Special Times - Set aside a few minutes at a regular time each day to give your child your undivided attention

7. Normal Rules Apply

Museums to Visit This Summer!

Going to a museum is a great way to continue education throughout the summer! 

Museums offer a dynamic opportunity to experience new things and explore in a rich educational environment. They are a foundation for creativity, critical thinking, and connection to the world around us. Museums promote imagination and inspire identity building learning experiences for all. 

Here are museums to visit this summer without breaking the bank and even getting in for FREE! 

Seattle:

Seattle Art Museum – Free for children 12 and under. First Thursday of each month, admission is free to the public!

Burke Museum – Free for children 5 and under. First Thursday of each month is free to the public

Henry Art Gallery – Children are free. First Thursday of every month is free to the public. Free admission every Sunday.

Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation -Visitor Center -  Admission is free during their business hours of 10am - 6pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Seattle Children's Museum – Children under 1 are free. DSHS/Provider One card holders get $1 admission. Sensory Sensitive Saturdays are the first Saturday of every month from 8:30am – 10am, tickets are $3 admission and must be repurchased.

Misc:

Artists at Play Playground – Free to the public

Tacoma:

Tacoma Children's Museum – Pay-as-you will admission program allows you to pay what you can afford to attend the musem. Tuesdays from 10am – 11:30 are specials needs play days!

Tacoma Art Museum – Admission is free with Tacoma Children’s museum ticket (from same day.) Children under 5 are free. The third Thursday of every month is free from 5pm to 8pm. Bank of America card holders/employees are free the first weekend of every month.

LeMay - America's CarMuseum - On certain Fridays each month, Lemay offers a free drive in movie at the America's Car Museum Haub Family Field. Watch from your car, chair, or blanket. Friday, August 11th they will be playing Moana!

Bellevue:

Bellevue Arts Museum – Free admission on the first Friday of every month. Children under 6 are free.

KidsQuest Children's Museum - free admission on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Children under 1 are free.

Renton:

Museum of Flight - Children 4 years and under are free. On the first Thursday of every month admission is free to the public from 5pm - 9pm. 

Bremerton:

Bug & Reptile Museum - free to the public.

Bainbridge Island:

KiDiMu - Kids DiscoveryMuseum - free admission the first Thursday of every month. Children under 1 year old are free