Fostering Growth Mindset in Students with Speech & Language Challenges
Carol Dweck’s research on “growth mindset” supported my work with adults and children struggling with speech and language challenges. Early in my career working with elementary, middle and high school students, the biggest challenge was getting students to produce. No grades were given, the work being done was in the most difficult areas and many […]
“Your Fantastic Elastic Brain”: Motivating Children and Teens with Speech and Language Disorders
Struggling to motivate children and teens with speech and language disorders is an on going concern. Many learn to navigate around their deficit using strategies, but others avoid learning risks at all cost. In therapy using interesting games is a popular motivator, but using these tools does not teach students how and why they should […]
Please, stop screaming!: ADHD and Aggressive Behavior
I read an article on Understood.org by Kate Kelly ADHD and Aggression: What You Need to Know. I wish I had read this article on ADD and aggressive behavior earlier in my parenting career because it would have been nice to confirm my personal experiences. Hitting, throwing objects, screaming, falling on the floor, or refusing […]
Speech-Language Therapy vs Tutoring (Updated)
Speech-language therapy vs tutoring: What’s the difference? In order to choose the right services for yourself or your child, it’s important to understand the difference between speech-language therapy vs tutoring. How is speech-language therapy different from tutoring? Why choose one service over the other? Tutors re-teach information taught in the curriculum. Students acquire information at […]
Not eligible for speech-language services
Not eligible for speech-language services “Not eligible for speech and language services!” What’s going on? Your child has been receiving speech and language services for several years or needs services. After a recent team meeting, you were informed that your child is not eligible for speech-language services. How can this be? Is this the right time […]
College Academic-Social Skills Coach
John, not his real name, a freshman was having difficulty managing his life on campus. He spent most of his time in his room playing video games or watching Netflix, went to bed a 2-3 am missed classes and was turning in late assignments. By midterm, not only had John gained weight, he had no […]
Reading Comprehension > Decoding Words
Reading comprehension is one of the most complex cognitive activities in which humans engage, making it difficult to teach, measure, and research. (2) Reading is not equal to just decoding words. In order to have excellent reading skills, children must have strong decoding skills, a strong language foundation, in addition to other cognitive skills. Reading […]
3rd Grade Communication Goals
Third grade expectations have changed! It’s a pivotal year because children are beginning to move from learning to read to reading to learn. If students have a strong language foundation then the transition is not difficult, but children struggling with reading, vocabulary development or comprehension will have a hard time. Here is ASHA’s 3rd grade […]
Communication Problems: Fighting Back
People with communication challenges write novels and poetry, create and sing their own lyrics, and give public speeches, but they sometimes need additional support.
Music Instruction Develops Executive Function Skills
My daughter often doesn’t want to practice her instrument, so much of my time and effort has been spent figuring out how to get her to practice her instrument, but I do because music instruction develops executive function skills and will improve other skills like math. Yesterday I attended a yearly Martin Luther King event […]