Special Olympics 2018

The 2018 USA Games Special Olympics will be held in Seattle! 

The Special Olympics goes from June 30th - July 6th with a special Independence Day celebration!

June 30, 2018 - Welcome Day at SeaTac Airport

July 1, 2018 - Opening Ceremony at Husky Stadium

July 1st - July 5th - Games and Activities 

• University of Washington - Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Flag Football, Powerlifting, Tennis, Volleyball
• Angle Lake - Stand-up Paddle Board
• Celebration Park - Softball
• Kenmore Lanes - Bowling
• Seattle Pacific University - Gymnastics
• Seattle University - Basketball, Soccer
• King County Aquatic Center - Swimming
• Willows Run Golf Club - Golf

July 6th - Closing Ceremony at Lake Union Park

Check out their website for more information and to see how you can contribute! 

Back to School Transition Tips

Have you begun transitioning from summer time to back to school routines?

It's not to let to prepare for the school year.

Here are few tips on how to ease the transition from summer to school.

1. Get into the routine. Start transitioning by getting your kiddos up earlier and going to bed earlier.
2. Practice. Practice preparing lunches and practice their school time morning routine.
3. Phase out nap time for kindergarteners. If your child is going to all day kindergarten and they don't take nap breaks, you need to start this process prior to the first day of school.
4. Check out the school. Go to the open house or practice the drive to and from school.
5. Have a back-up plan. Make sure your child is aware of what to do if their pick up/drop off slides through.


Also, get your child excited to go back to school by creating a back to school countdown chain. 

Scholastic offers an article regarding tips to get your child school ready and to help you with the transition! 

Find it here!

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!

Free Zoo Days!

Did you know the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium offers free admission on select days for seniors (65+) and those with a disability?

Click here to visit the website

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

9 Summer Learning Activities

Keep the learning going this summer with these fun activities! 

1. Visit a museum - Check out our previous blog here

2. Write in Journals

3. Language Games - Apples to Apples, etc.

4. Read, Read, Read

5. Gardening

6. Scavenger Hunts

7. Family Activity Day Planning - Have your kiddo plan a day out regarding all concepts (Time, Cost, Lunch, etc)

8. Visit the Zoo 

9. Colors Calendar - Click here for the free download