Developmental Milestones

In the past few weeks many parents have been asking me for information regarding developmental milestones that occur during the toddler years.  I wanted to share a few websites that are awesome resources about what types of skills should be seen during that stage and other ages.  I also want to mention that not all kiddos follow this timeline.  Some may develop skills earlier or later than the specified ages and that's okay!  If concerns arise always follow-up with your pediatrician or talk to a speech-language pathologist :).

Development and Behavior Resources 

Speech and Language Milestone Chart

I hope you find the sites helpful!

-Cassee

A New Magazine for Seattle's Autism Community

The Spectrum Experience

Autism is a journey. We meet you along the way.

The launch of a new magazine for autism families is coming to the Pacific Northwest! Come check it out!

“Are you as excited as we are about the launch of The Spectrum Experience? If you haven't heard, a new quarterly magazine for autism families is coming to your region in spring! Featuring industry news, feature editorial and interactive online content, we work to empower and provide a platform to families and those with autism.

Founded by the mom of a child on the spectrum, we truly understand how to bring the autism community together. After 3 successful years in Portland, we have been invited to add a 2nd magazine in Seattle. Partner now with the only magazine of its kind in the Pacific Northwest!”

Click on this link to see what The Spectrum Experience is all about!

http://thespectrumexperience.com/about

         

            

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy today, I'm reminded of his amazing "I Have a Dream" speech.  In it, Dr. King spoke eloquently about equality and inclusion.  I wanted to share another example of inspirational words that I was shown early in my journey toward becoming an SLP:

A Credo for Support:

This document, read in the video above by individuals with disabilities, was one of the first examples of advocacy that I was exposed to when I began working with individuals with disabilities and their families.  It has remained something that I try to revisit frequently so I don't forget to apply its lessons in my work:

Do not see my disability as the problem.
Recognize that my disability is an attribute.

Do not see my disability as a deficit.
It is you who see me as deviant and helpless.

Do not try to fix me, because I am not broken.
Support me. I can make my contribution to the community in my own way.

Do not see me as your client.
I am your fellow citizen.
See me as your neighbor.
Remember, none of us can be self-sufficient.

Do not try to modify my behavior.
Be still & listen. What you define as inappropriate may be my attempt to communicate with you in the only way I can.

Do not try to change me; you have no right.
Help me learn what I want to know.

Do not hide your uncertainty behind “professional” distance.
Be a person who listens and does not take my struggle away from me by trying to make it all better. Do not use theories and strategies on me.
Be with me.
And when we struggle with each other, let that give rise to self-reflection.

Do not try to control me. I have a right to my power as a person.
What you call non-compliance or manipulation may actually be the only way I can exert some control over my life.

Do not teach me to be obedient, submissive and polite.
I need to feel entitled to say No if I am to protect myself.

Do not be charitable towards me.
The last thing the world needs is another Jerry Lewis.

Do not try to be my friend. I deserve more than that.
Get to know me, we may become friends.

Do not help me, even if it does make you feel good.
Ask me if I need your help.
Let me show you how you can assist me.

Do not admire me.
A desire to live a full life does not warrant adoration.
Respect me, for respect presumes equality.

Do not tell, correct, and lead.
Listen, support, and follow.

Do not work on me.
Work with me!

Wishing everybody a happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

--Sarah

Individual and Family Resources

It feels like lately our office has been made aware by many our families about how local resources are limited and needed!  I figured this would be a good opportunity to provide information about an amazing organization in the Seattle area.

The Arc of King County is an organization, helping individuals and their families with intellectual and developmental disabilities from its inception in 1936, and as such is the oldest organization of its kind. The Arc assists individuals from birth through death.  They have an extensive training and education program at many locations in the county, covering the following topics (as well as many more): http://arcofkingcounty.org/what-we-offer/training-and-education

Trainings for parents throughout the lifespan

• How to access services for people with I/DD

• Transition services 

• Wills/Trust and Guardianship

• Disability Awareness 

• Helping Parents Training 

• Financial Literacy 101 

• Social Security Benefits

• Navigating the special education system 

• Navigating employment services

They have supported a living program http://arcofkingcounty.org/what-we-offer/supported-living-services where they help individuals remain independently in the community, and are a major force in advocating for individuals with disabilities at the local, state and national level. The King County Family Coalition is a great place to get involved in advocacy or learn more about issues. http://arcofkingcounty.org/what-we-offer/king-county-family-coalition

The Wings for Autism Program is a national Arc initiative which we do twice a year with our partners, Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle, allowing families to spend the day at Sea-Tac Airport, doing a real time airport rehearsal of checking in, going through security, waiting at the gate, boarding the airplane and taxiing around the runway.  http://www.arcofkingcounty.org/index.php/get-connected/news-events/2-general/119-wings-for-autism

There is also a Parent to Parent Program, http://arcofkingcounty.org/what-we-offer/parent-to-parent-program where parents are matched with a helping parent who has a child with similar needs or  challenges, whether it be the same disability, medical issues, or for peer support. There are also a whole slew of online support groups that can be accessed. There is also a wide range of support for multicultural families available through the organization.  The Arc has monthly Coffee and Conversation groups at multiple locations and other events scheduled through out the year for families. They are a great resource for IEP questions and information.

On January 23rd, they will be having an Open House and Annual Meeting at the Arc, which is a great opportunity to learn more about the organization and meet other families.

There is a newsletter which you can sign up to learn of ongoing events. There is also a general information and referral service available to link families to community resources: http://arcofkingcounty.org/what-we-offer/general-information-and-referral-i-r

As well as a Resource Guide and Community Calendar.

The Arc of King County contact information: 

King County Family Coalition contact:

Cathy Murahashi

Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator

By Phone: 206.829.7039 Tuesdays and Thursdays – 8:30AM to 3:30PM

Cell 425.643.4048 Wednesdays and Fridays - 8:30AM to 4:30PM

Wings for Autism contact: 

Samantha Court

By Phone: 206.829.7006

By Email: scourt@arcofkingcounty.org 

Training and Seminars:

Department Supervisor Contact

Robin Tatsuda

Director of Information and Family Support

By Phone: 206.957.7011 

Information and Referral:

By Email: ask@arcofkingcounty.org

By Phone: 206-829-7053

Hope this information is helpful, and a special thanks to Stacia Irons for providing me with all of this information!!

-Paige

New Sports Banner!

Rock Therapeutic Services is a proud sponsor of the Ravensdale Park Foundation.  Check out our Outfield Banner at one of the new baseball fields:

The Ravensdale Park Foundation is a nonprofit organization set up to design and facilitate upgrades and enhancements to Ravensdale Park through a partnership with King County Parks.  The founding organizations were Rock Creek Sports and Maple Valley Soccer.  Their mission is to build a park to service the whole community while maintaining the rural character of the park.

From an RTS employee:

  "As the father of a son who has played for both Rock Creek Baseball and Maple Valley Soccer I can say we are very proud of what the Foundation has been able to accomplish.  Recently completed Phase II added two new fully lit all-turf sport fields, a new parking lot and restrooms/snack bar.  This was a great addition to the existing turf baseball and soccer fields which draw teams and crowds from all over Puget Sound.  Most days when you come to the facility you will see every square inch of every field being utilized by baseball, soccer, lacrosse and football.  Not to mention the casual users who come to walk their dog, play on the playground and have a gathering at the sheltered picnic area.  It is great to see so many members of the community get together for healthy activities."
-Todd Storch, Office Manager 

Rock Therapeutic Services is proud to support local communities!  We'll see you at the field!

‘Tis the Season for Sequencing!

SLPs evaluate and target an individual’s ability to sequence events.  Sequencing events requires a person to put steps in order whether completing a task or telling a story.

All children can benefit from developing sequencing skills.  Stop every once in a while and see what you child thinks should come next. Here are some ideas of ways you can help develop your child’s sequencing skills:

• Packing for a trip: 
• What clothing and other items will you need? 
• Is there an order to putting things in?  
• Taking things out?
• Baking: 
• What ingredients and tools will you need?  
• Should you turn the oven on first or put the cookies in first?
• Making cocoa: 
• When should you put in the marshmallows?
• Shopping: 
• What are the steps to choose and purchase? 
• This could easily work with groceries:  Should you put produce or frozen items in the cart first?
• Wrapping gifts: 
• Which should go on first, paper or ribbon?

Have fun and be silly with these activities!

--Elizabeth

So what exactly does an SLP do?

I was able to attend the ASHA Convention a few weeks ago in Denver and completely enjoyed myself!  You may be thinking what is ASHA?

Well it's our national research and credentialing association (see two posts below for more info).  Each year they host a 3-4 day convention where speech-language pathologists (SLPs) gather from across the nation to learn all about the latest research and approaches of our field.  There were around 14,000 SLPs in Denver this year and it was quite the event! While there were many fantastic classes I attended, it was the diversity of topics offered that I was so impressed with.  Our field is so vast and many out there don't know all of the areas of speech-language pathology.  This handout by Super Duper (http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/162%20SLPs.pdf) is a great resource of information and also where I got the information below.  Here are some of the different areas of SLP:

Speech Disorders 

• Articulation - the way we say our speech sounds 

• Phonology - the speech patterns we use 

• Apraxia - difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed to make speech sounds 

• Fluency - stuttering 

• Voice - problems with the way the voice sounds, such as hoarseness 

Language Disorders 

• Receptive Language - difficulty understanding language 

• Expressive Language - difficulty using language 

• Pragmatic Language - social communication; the way we speak to each other 

Other Disorders 

• Deafness/Hearing Loss - loss of hearing; therapy includes developing lip-reading, speech, and/or alternative communication systems 

• Oral-Motor Disorders - weak tongue and/or lip muscles 

• Swallowing/Feeding Disorders - difficulty chewing and/or swallowing

Pretty cool right?  Well, I like to think so.  :)  We have an amazing field and I'm grateful to be a part of it.  Ok, enough sappiness about my love of SLP, it's Friday everyone---go enjoy your weekend!

---Cassee