Decision Making Opportunities for those with a Communication Disorder

Making little choices is an important daily function. We make decisions about what to wear, what to eat, and what to do daily. Imagine if someone else was making these decisions for you. Would you be happy with their decision? Despite the insignificance of these decisions, not making these decisions yourself can be demoralizing and limiting. 

It’s important to recognize how this may affect those with a communication disorder. Helping them to express their needs and wants through giving options could dilute a potential frustrating situation for them. While they may not know how to respond to open ended questions, giving choices can help them give an appropriate answer while practicing recall. For example, “Would you like to eat a banana or an orange?” instead of "What would you like to eat?"

Giving them the option to make these decisions gives them a sense of independence and empowerment. This also demonstrates that you respect their desires and needs.

Benefits of giving choices:

• Allowing children to make decisions demonstrates the role communication plays in making requests in a concrete, immediate way. For example, “Would you like to tie your shoes or would you like me to do it for you?”

• Giving them choices creates opportunities to model and expand language.

• Offering choices helps to set expectations when giving directions. Phrasing a command as two choices can give you a quicker response while helping the child to feel independent and as if it was their idea. For Example, “Would you like to put your socks or shirt on first?” This questions has an underlying command saying “It’s time to get ready.”

Also, it can help to make the child feel in control of their environment. Giving two choices can help them to maintain predictability and reduce the uncertainty of their environment.

Give to the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network!

Today, I want to share an email I recently received from a client's mother, Ashly Williams.  She is an amazing mother with a wonderful family who we all grew to love here at the clinic.  She is a volunteer with the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network.  Please read below to find out how you can help!

From Ashly:

When I found out that I could raise money for Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network and help pay my way to the annual DSDN retreat in Chicago I just knew I had to help!

Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network is a non-profit organization that is 100% volunteer base. They are an online-based network that has made it their mission to support new and expectant parents of children with Down syndrome.

Our organization is growing every day. One thing I really love about DSDN is being able to reach out to new moms and know that they are added to Rockin mom's groups for the extra support they need. 

If you would like to donate to this wonderful cause please let me know! If I reach a certain goal, my registration for the 2017 Rockin' Moms Retreat in Chicago will be covered!

That's why I created a fundraiser to support Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. I am very passionate about DSDN, and their mission to support new and expectant parents of children with Down syndrome by providing information, connections and support—and you can be a part of it.

Check out my fundraising page and please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal of $1,000. So far we have raised $521, we are over half way there. 

Give today.

Giving online is easy and fast, and your support will make a real difference. I appreciate your help!

Shopping While Autistic

Sometimes it's difficult for neurotypical people to imagine what it's like to live with the kinds of sensory issues that people on the autism spectrum experience.  Lynne Soraya, an author with Asperger's Syndrome, describes something as seemingly mundane as grocery shopping in this article:

Shopping While Autistic

This is how she describes the low point of her shopping excursion:

A black mist has descended over my vision, I must fight to focus through it. My vision has become subtly pixellated, like a pointillist painting, and I see after-images each time I change focus.  Little bright spots dance across my vision. My ears hurt, my head hurts, and I feel nauseous, but I can’t leave.  Not yet.

 She then concludes:

So, the next time you see a child melting down in a store, please stop for a moment to consider. Try to tune into the sounds and sensory experiences that you normally tune out.  Try to imagine what it must feel like to experience them full force, at the type of intensity that can send even an experienced person over the edge.

It's easy to take for granted how much many of us tune out the sensory input coming at us from our environment.  Descriptions like Lynne's help us remember and empathize with those who have more difficulty than typical.

Get Involved!

For families in the area looking to get more involved in the community or are looking for something fun to do locally, here is the link to the Maple Valley Community Center. They offer various programs and support groups for all ages. Check it out!

Maple Valley Community Center

--Megan

4 Easy Tips

It can be hard to communicate with someone with a speech or language impairment.  You often don't know what to do, and many people just avoid the interaction altogether because they're afraid of doing something wrong.

Laura, a young woman with aphasia (a language disorder often caused by having a stroke), created a video outlining some tips for how to communicate with her:
A Lot Of People Find It Hard To Talk To Laura. So She Put Together 4 Easy Tips.
Her tips are helpful for talking with children and adults with a variety of speech and language difficulties: speech sound disorders (i.e. pronouncing certain sounds, like /r/ or /s/, incorrectly), autism spectrum disorder, dysarthria (i.e. weak and uncoordinated speech muscles), stuttering, or even hearing impairment.

--Sarah

Employer of the Year Award!

Rock Therapeutic Services was honored with an Employer of the Year award from Vadis.  See what Vadis is all about here: www.vadis.org

We couldn't be more thrilled regarding our partnership with Vadis.  We feel lucky to have Bernard and Chi Shan brighten up our office with their smiles and laughter!

Happy Birthday Chi Shan!

Please join us in wishing Chi Shan a very happy birthday!  

Chi Shan works 4 hours per week at Rock Therapeutic Services through a program that provides jobs for adults with disabilities.

Chi Shan has an excellent attitude and is always eager to work.  He helps us with sorting paperwork, cleaning toys, and paper shredding.

Everyone in the office seems to smile more when he's around.

Chi Shan got a new Seahawks hat to add to his extensive cap collection and we celebrated with french fries!

Thank you for your hard work Chi Shan and a very happy birthday to you!

-Rock Therapeutic Services Team