Speech and Language Disorders Blogs This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

How to Handle Reluctant Parents
I meet many parents who repeatedly tell me, “I’m not worried,” when we discuss the reason they’re bringing their child to me for an evaluation. One of the best things I learned in college was to begin each meeting with the same questions for parents: “Who referred you to seek an evaluation for your child and what are your concerns?” From these essential questions, I quickly learn how ready parents are to seek my help, as well as their feelings about the original referral. As the evaluator, I determine how the parent feels about the evaluation. Some parents just go through the motions of getting an a...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - June 13, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Jasna Cowan Tags: Audiology Speech-Language Pathology Early Intervention Language Disorders Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs

Watching for Signs of Ear Infections in Young Clients
Approximately two-thirds of children get at least one middle-ear infection (otitis media) by age 3, and one-third of these children will experience at least three episodes. The earlier a child gets their first ear infection, the more susceptible they are to recurrent episodes. Children with recurrent ear infections accompanied by middle-ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) often experience fluctuating mild to moderate hearing loss. This type of hearing loss can be difficult to detect, yet can have a major effect on language and speech-sound acquisition. Speech-language pathologists can play an important role in tracking ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - June 8, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Jody Vaynshtok Tags: Audiology Speech-Language Pathology ear infection Early Intervention hearing loss hearing protection Language Disorders Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs

Computer Games to Combat Hearing Loss in Children
In an effort to provide audiologists with tools to remain competitive in the age of personal sound amplification products and over-the-counter hearing aids, Nancy Tye-Murray—otolaryngology, audiology, and communication sciences and disorders professor—looked for a way to help audiologists customize hearing health care. She worked with her colleagues at Washington University in St. Louis to create an auditory training game program for adults with hearing loss. The Customized Learning: Exercises in Aural Rehabilitation (clEAR) allows users to select various options and then generates game-like listening drills based on t...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - June 7, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Shelley D. Hutchins Tags: Audiology Speech-Language Pathology Hearing Assistive Technology hearing loss Language Disorders Schools Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs

Dig Deeper if Treating a Child With Suspected APD
Editor’s note: In response to our recent School Matters column, “Don’t Wait to Diagnose Auditory Processing Disorder,” the Leader is presenting a series of blog posts sharing different views on the validity of APD as a specific diagnosis. The first in this series appeared April 27 and was written by Andrew Vermiglio, AuD, CCC-A: “Does Auditory Processing Disorder Meet the Criteria for a Legitimate Clinical Entity?” This is the second in the series. In recent years, I’ve noticed an increase in research on the diagnosis and treatment of auditory processing disorders (APD)—also known as central auditory proce...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - June 6, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tatyana Elleseff Tags: Audiology Speech-Language Pathology Language Disorders Schools Source Type: blogs

Collaborating with Teachers to Help English-Language Learners Succeed
The U.S. population is incredibly diverse. Our students and clients speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, French, German, Hmong, Italian, Korean and Russian—to name just a few. This diversity makes our lives rich and our jobs as speech-language pathologists challenging. However, I feel the simple framework described below can help SLPs tackle these challenges by: Identifying whether a child’s errors are due to language influence or speech-language disorder. Selecting appropriate goals for speech-language treatment. Helping general education teachers address English-as–a-second-language goals. Last ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 25, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Ellen Kester Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Bilingual assessment bilingual service delivery Language Disorders Schools Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs

Reasons and Ways to Use Gross Motor Equipment in Articulation Treatment
I’m a school-based and private clinician, but some of my favorite therapy activities use equipment more typically associated with occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) services. When I can get my hands on them! Stability balls, sensory bins, tummy scooters … these activities are highly engaging for students and can promote progress with their speech-language goals. Check out the following research-based benefits of using gross motor equipment as a speech-language pathologist: Behavior bonus: For our students with attention deficit or other behavioral disorders, the traditional sit-at-a-table-and-spea...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 23, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Dvorah Waldman Tags: Speech-Language Pathology articulation Early Intervention Language Disorders motor speech disorders Schools Source Type: blogs

5 Reasons to Complete ASHA ’s Public Policy Survey Today
What legislative and regulatory issues are most important to you? Take ASHA’s online survey today. ASHA’s Government Relations and Public Policy (GRPP) Board and GRPP staff members will review the submissions and—based on the responses and the predicted political climate for 2018—develop the 2018 Public Policy Agenda. The annual public policy agenda helps ASHA determine its highest priority issues and allocate resources to make advocacy progress. To learn more about current advocacy issues, review ASHA’s 2017 Public Policy Agenda. All issues are based on our seven foundational principles, which provide a c...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 22, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Michelle Mannebach Tags: Advocacy audiology Autism Spectrum Disorder Health Care Language Disorders Schools Speech Disorders speech-language pathology Source Type: blogs

10 Collaboration Tips for SLPs and Behavior Analysts Treating Students With Autism
Many students with autism work with a team of professionals on a regular basis. Those teams might include a speech-language pathologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, intervention specialists and behavior analyst. SLPs and behavior analysts treat people with autism and—especially in school settings—these two professionals often work together to help the same students. They also share several areas of expertise, so they might find handling their overlap of services challenging. However, when SLPs and behavior analysts forge a collaborative, positive and effective relationship, the sky is the limit for stud...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 18, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Rosemarie Griffin Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Autism Spectrum Disorder Language Disorders Professional Development Schools Source Type: blogs

Where to Start When Treating Clients Post-Stroke
So, let’s say your receptionist tells you your new patient recently had a stroke. And you immediately think, “the last time I saw someone post-stroke was grad school!” Fret not! Instead, I hope my evidence-based insights into treating clients who experienced a stroke will help you brush up on treatment approaches. First, see what patient information you can access before the patient even steps foot in your office; what can any previous evaluations or medical documents tell you? Do you know the location of the injury? In general, a left hemisphere injury brings about more speech and language challenges, while a right ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 16, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Jordyn Sims Tags: Speech-Language Pathology acquired brain injury Aphasia Cognitive Rehabilitation Language Disorders Source Type: blogs

6 Tips on Treating Adults With ADHD
Nearly 8 million adults in the United States have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These adults often find speech, social and executive function skills challenging, affecting their social communication. As speech-language pathologists, we can help people with ADHD through educating and coaching social communication skills and self-awareness. Adults with ADHD experience difficulty forming social relationships, communicating clearly in those social relationships, and controlling executive functions. SLPs understand social communication and skills from our work with people on the autism spectrum, we understa...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 11, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Melissa James Tags: Speech-Language Pathology ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Executive Functions social skils Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs

Echoes of Language Development: 7 Facts About Echolalia for SLPs
It’s no secret that verbal repetition and imitation are important parts of early speech and language acquisition. Speech and language input create a framework for children to understand their environment, say first words, learn new vocabulary and exercise increasingly complex functions of communication. As children hear language around them, they begin to assign meaning, repeat words and eventually use language in novel ways to become independent communicators. Echolalia, a form of verbal imitation, is one of the most common characteristics of communication in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although previous...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 9, 2017 Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Kylie Grace Davis Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Autism Spectrum Disorder echolalia Language Disorders Source Type: blogs

5 Things to Know for Apraxia Awareness Day on May 14
As I sit here and think about the fifth annual Apraxia Awareness Day, I think about my life as a speech-language pathologist and a mother to a child with a severe speech and language disorder. My daughter has resolving apraxia, but still deals with a significant expressive and receptive language processing disorder at 7 years old. I want to talk to you not as an SLP, but as a mom to a child who has this severe speech and language disorder and tell you why Apraxia Awareness Day—coming up on May 14—is so important to parents in the apraxia community and how we as SLPs can get involved. Acceptance and community: As SLPs,...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - May 4, 2017 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Laura Smith Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Childhood Apraxia of Speech Language Disorders Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs

Does Auditory Processing Disorder Meet the Criteria for a Legitimate Clinical Entity?
Editor’s note: In response to our recent School Matter’s column, “Don’t Wait to Diagnose Auditory Processing Disorder,” we are presenting a series of blog posts sharing various views on the validity of APD as a specific diagnosis. A legitimate communications disorder is called a “clinical entity.” The concept of the clinical entity is important when addressing controversial conditions such as auditory processing disorder (APD)—sometimes also called central auditory processing disorder. Although the ASHA Working Group on APD concluded in 2005 that sufficient evidence exists to support APD as a diagnostic e...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - April 27, 2017 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Andrew Vermiglio Tags: Audiology Speech-Language Pathology auditory processing disorder Language Disorders Source Type: blogs

Engage With Your Co-Workers for BHSM!
As a school-based SLP, I usually celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) by creating an activity to use with my students and a classroom lesson for teachers. But what about raising awareness with our co-workers? So this year, I created an activity I’m using with my ASHA co-workers and thought you might like to share it in your school, private practice, office, health care facility or community-based organization meeting during the month of May! This BHSM game is a takeoff on Family Feud. First, divide your group into “families.” Ask each family to determine their spokesperson. They can also select f...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - April 25, 2017 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Stacey Glasgow Tags: Advocacy Audiology Events Speech-Language Pathology Early Intervention hearing loss hearing protection Language Disorders Professional Development Swallowing Disorders Source Type: blogs

The Benefits of Summer Camp for AAC-Users
Dak Prescott, NFL quarterback and former MSU player, visiting with a CJJ camper as part of the super hero activities. My speech-language pathology colleagues and I want to give children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) the same opportunities and benefits that their typical peers enjoy. These benefits include improving interpersonal skills, forming friendships, taking safe risks, character growth, developing life skills, meeting positive role models and discovering their best self, as described in the “Sunshine Parenting” article, “Five Reasons Every Teen Should Go to Summer Camp.” La...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - April 11, 2017 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Laurie Craig Tags: Speech-Language Pathology Augmentative Alternative Communication Autism Spectrum Disorder Language Disorders Schools Speech Disorders Source Type: blogs