Every summer, we at Lakeshore Speech Therapy work to provide our clients and families with programming that meets everyone’s needs. This year we are excited to offer programs for everyone from toddlers to teens. Please take a moment to see all that we have to offer. Share this information with friends and family that may benefit from these amazing programs. As always, please share your ideas for future programs.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
The weather stations are all predicting record cold in the next few days. Record cold means staying in the house. Staying in the house means lots of ‘together time’. Use that time to promote language use and development and have fun as well.
These frosty days are perfect for working together not only on language use and practice, but beginning to develop some independent functional skills that promote a sense of independence and pride. You have all you need to accomplish this in your kitchen. Cooking, baking, food prep….functional and filled with language.
Creating in the kitchen builds a sense of togetherness and promotes language development and use. For most, food is a motivating force to decrease inappropriate behaviors, increase language use as well as social skills. For loved ones that are not motivated by eating different foods, you may be surprised at their willingness to help in the kitchen and be around different smells, tastes and textures (all great ways to start introducing new foods to limited palates).
Below are links to wonderful resources that not only promote cooking and baking as therapeutic tools, but provide free materials for everyone (young and old and in between) to participate in together time in the kitchen.
Collect and print your favorite recipes to make a special recipe book.
But on your favorite chef’s apron, roll up your sleeves, and get to creating delicious foods and of course – memories!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
It’s Okay! This week the message is short, but it comes with an assignment and that’s Okay.
The book “It’s Okay to be Different” by Todd Parr is a favorite in some homes (the author of this blog to be exact). The message is simple and speaks to everyone, young and old.
This week, go to your local library and take out a copy of “It’s Okay to be Different” and read it out loud every day. It’s guaranteed to make you and your loved ones smile.
Some families (again the author of this blog) adopted a specific line as a reminder that it’s OK; especially when a loved ones difference cause frustration or hurt feelings. “It’s Okay to eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub.” was enough to calm those hurt feelings or frustration.
Go ahead, get the book. It’s Okay!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
Practice – 8 little letters that require discipline and dedication. Practice – 8 little letters that can enrage and irritate the most patient of souls. Practice – 8 little letters that have a profound effect on a life.
Whether you yourself are learning a new skill or are helping a loved one learn a new skill, the time and dedication required can feel overwhelming and insurmountable. Practice provides the opportunity to try and fail and start again. Practice is part of the journey NOT the end goal.
Practicing speech and language skills may seem unnatural as these skills, for some, come naturally when communicating and engaging with the world. Without knowing it, children who are developing language are ‘practicing’ these skills every time they engage with a person, a friend, or a toy. Sometimes loved ones require practice on a very specific element of language, one that may easily be taken for granted. Be it eye contact, sharing, anticipating, or requesting, these skills may need practice toward mastery of communication.
Practicing communication skills should become a natural part of the day. Incorporating the practice of specific skills throughout the day may require a little planning, but eventually will become second nature. Clearly identify where and when the ‘practice’ could occur helps to create a less stressful and meaningful event. Start with a very manageable expectation, not only for your loved one, but yourself and eventually increase the expectation in small increments. You will amaze yourself at how quickly these skills improve.
While the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.”, a preferred saying is “Practice makes permanent.”
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
As I sit and watch the movie ‘Buddy the Elf’ I can’t help but think that I really should be making a list, checking it twice and comparing prices. Lists and lists of gift ideas are everywhere this time of year. People fall into two categories – easy to buy for and difficult to buy for. Our loved ones that experience communication difficulties may fall into the later category.
Below are links to articles and lists that are available online that may assist in making and suggesting purchases for our loved ones.
How to shop for Special Needs Children
500+ Gift Ideas for Child/Teen with Special Needs
2018 Holiday Gifts / Autism and Special Needs Christmas Gift Ideas
2018 Mom Approved Gift Ideas For Special Kids
The best toys for kids with special needs under $50
Holiday Gifts for Kids with Neurobehavioral Disorders
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR SENSORY PROCESSING GIFT IDEAS
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC. does not endorse any specific toy company or vendor, this is merely our attempt at saving you time in researching ideas so you can get back to the important parts of this time of year, being with loved ones.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
In the midst of sorting through your Black Friday deals and your Cyber Monday steals, you may be interested in some Winter Holiday activities in the greater Cleveland area. This list is just the start of all the area has to offer; please share via Facebook or email if you find others that provide you and your family some fun adventures and treasured memories.
Remember most city centers (especially downtown Cleveland at Public Square – https://www.clevelandpublicsquare.com/what-s-happening ) have lovely light displays as well as many neighborhoods.
Share adventures and build memories!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
In a few days we will gather with family and friends to be thankful for all we have our lives. The days leading up to Thanksgiving (or any holiday) can be exciting, yet filled with anxiety, which could result in unexpected behaviors and reactions for some of our loved ones.
We talked about making changes in the actual celebration to better support your loved ones. We need to focus on preparing them for what they might experience – the different smells, sounds and expectations – during the Thanksgiving celebration.
Social Stories: These tools help by creating a simple straightforward explanation of what will happen during or leading up to an event, as well as behavior expectations. Ideally social stories should be reviewed multiple times prior to an event and directly before. Bring the social story to the event and reread it in a quiet place. This may help to decrease the stress and refocus behaviors. Please feel free to print and use these social stories or you may find some free by searching the web.
Visual Schedule: Enjoying a relaxed unscheduled day may sound perfect, however your loved one may need to ‘see’ his/her day to decrease anxiety and unexpected behaviors. A visual schedule may prove to be the needed tool. Visual schedules are helpful for all family members. You can use actual photos, simple stick-figure drawings or icons to depict your daily events. You may choose to split the day by listing the AM schedule first and then changing it to the PM schedule at a natural break. You may choose to list the entire day and have your loved one remove the icon/picture as each part of the day is completed. Please feel free to print and use these icons to create a visual schedule of your loved one’s day.
First-Then cards: First-Then cards may be a new tool in your toolbox. These cards use the same icons or pictures as a visual schedule, however are presented two at a time. This tools gives your loved one a focused message of the immediate expected event or behavior and what will directly follow. You may consider following a non-preferred activity with a ‘break’ or ‘leisure choice’ to increase his/her attention to the non-preferred activity. For example, First: eating dinner – Then: going outside to swing. Please feel free to print and used these materials to create a First-Then card for your loved one.
Remember to take a moment to step back and truly see all the beauty that surrounds you. Cherish your time with family and friends. We at Lakeshore Speech Therapy are thankful for our Lakeshore families. We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving day filled with laughter and happiness.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
You used your parental superpowers to navigate the full moon last week, and you will use those powers again this week, especially on Wednesday, October 31st. Check your list: comfortable costume – done; communication method – done; prep for the big night – read on.
Halloween evening is filled with anticipated wonder. This anticipation can lead to anxiety which can cause unexpected behaviors. Preparing your loved one in advance may eliminate or diminish the anxiety. These proactive techniques are not difficulty, expensive or complex.
Communicating to your child about what they can expect on Halloween evening can make a significant difference. This communication can look like a bedtime story – “Once upon a time, a little girl/boy was excited for Halloween. Her/His name was (your child’s name). Child’s name was going to be dressed as a (your child’s costume). On Halloween day, she/he went to school and had a great day. When child’s name got home from school she/he made sure her/his homework was done. Child’s name and her/his family had dinner. After child’s name ate her/his dinner she/he changed into her/his costume. Etc…..”
This communication can look like a picture book. Draw basic stick figures to represent the expected activities o Halloween. Please feel free to utilize these sequence pictures as well. trickortreatsequence.png
This communication can look like a social story. We have provided a social story about Halloween for you. Social stories are more effective when read frequently. While this is coming to you a few days before Halloween, reading the story two to three times prior to the event can decrease anxiety as well as increase success. halloween-social-story
Remember to breathe and enjoy the moment…… these moments go by too quickly.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
October celebrates National Down Syndrome Awareness month. During the month of October, take time to put aside the candy corn and pumpkins and learn more about how you and your family can celebrate the abilities and accomplishments of individuals with Down Syndrome.
Some basics about Down Syndrome.
Organizations that work to ensure an individual with Down Syndrome has the services, therapies and help they (and their families) need to be successful can be found throughout the greater Cleveland area.
Gigi’s Playhouse of Cleveland is a wonderful agency providing social, educational and support programs for individuals ages birth through adulthood. Make the pledge and find out more about how YOU can become part of Generation G.
The Up Side of Downs of NorthEast Ohio has been supporting, educating and advocating for people with Down Syndrome (and their families) since the 1980’s. From tennis to yoga to dances and more, this incredible organization has a calendar full of activities and resources for you to explore!
Connecting for Kids! Provides support and education to families and children throughout Northeast Ohio. Looking to better understand a diagnosis, resources and support, please take a moment to investigate this outstanding resource.
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC. would like to share our most sincere well wishes, support and admiration for our friends thriving with Down Syndrome and their families. Our world is better because of you!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech, LLC
