Asha.org recently just put out a new infographic regarding tips to help improve communication for those with Autism.
It's a must read for everyone!
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Thursday, May 18, 2017
F.A.S.T
American Stroke Month
American Stroke Month started at the beginning of May. If you or someone you know is having a stroke, it is critical to get medical attention immediately! Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.
Recognizing the symptoms when someone is having a stroke is vital in order to get the most immediate medical attention. Here are the most common symptoms of someone experiencing a stroke:
1. Face Drooping —> Ask the person to smile. Is one side of the lower than the other?
2. Arm Weakness —> Ask the person to lift both arms. Is one arm drifting downward?
3. Speech Difficulty —> Is their speech slurred? Ask them to repeat a simple sentence
4. Time to call 9-1-1 —> Time is important! Tell them “I think this is a stroke”
Monday, May 8, 2017
Better Hearing & Speech Month 2017
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month!
Communication: The Key to Connection.
Approximately 46 million Americans experience some form of communication disorder. Communication disorders can compromise physical and emotional health.
Better Hearing and Speech Month is working to raise awareness about communication disorders and resources available.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Summer Sensory Activities
There are many benefits of sensory activities.
Sensory play is extremely beneficial to children with developmental delays and is often used in Sensory Integration Therapy. It has been proven that sensory integration therapy improves daily function in children with autism.
It's not just children who have difficulty with sensory integration who benefit from sensory play; it's all children!
These activities help to stimulate your child's senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing. Sensory play also supports language development, cognitive growth, fine & gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
Frozen Fractals Ice Art is an activity I recommend you try this summer. This activity allows your child to have creative freedom and is less structured than others. It is a messy activity, so make sure you take it outside on a sunny day!
Erupting Ice Chalk is another outdoor activity I highly recommend! Just make sure when it is time for the vinegar portion of this activity that your child does not touch their eyes.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Summer Camps for Children with Special Needs
Are you looking for camps for your child to attend this summer?
Seattle Children's Center for Special Needs has created an entire directory of special needs summer camps!
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
April is... Autism Awareness Month!
The tenth annual World Autism Awareness Day was Sunday, April 2nd. The Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy (WAAA) hosted the WAAAlk for Autism at Marina Park in Kirkland on April 2nd. If you missed Autism Awareness Day and the WAAAlk on April 2nd, the entire month of April is National Autism Awareness Month. This month is to educate the public about autism and to raise awareness & acceptance for those with Autism.
You can help raise awareness/acceptance by wearing blue or red for the month of April.
The “Light It Up Blue” campaign is backed by Autism Speaks. They have traditionally been focused on ‘curing’ or preventing autism in children by funding research. You can show your support by wearing blue.
#RedInstead is a campaign that is apart of Autism Acceptance Month. Their goal is to shift from just raising awareness to encouraging others to become more open and accepting of autistic individuals. You can show your support by wearing red.
You can also show your support at the Autism Speaks Walk in Seattle on September 23, 2017. You can donate or sign up to walk and help to raise funds for Autism Speaks. Click Here to learn more.
You can support the autism community year round with the Puzzle Ribbon. The ‘Puzzle Ribbon’ is the symbol for Autism awareness and is promoted by the Autism Society as a means of supporting awareness/acceptance for autism.
Monday, April 3, 2017
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.
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