Visualization

Creating Pictures from Words: “Along the road stood many spindly trees…” Visualization or mental images we create in our mind help us see and plan for our future, convey a story, and to comprehend. The ability to make mental images in our heads is often taken for granted, but what happens if you can’t visualize? …

Language is Everywhere

We have all had exhausting days as parents when all we want to do is get home, but at the same time when opportunity knocks its important to seize the moment to teach our children. A child lagging  behind his mother, walking home from school  today was a perfect opportunity for that mom to foster and …

Autism many parts different whole

One theory regarding autism is that many of the symptoms are the result of problems in the brain integrating language and the senses. “Researchers know that autism is a complex brain disorder that affects the way the brain uses or transmits information. Studies have implicated several causes for the disorder but still more investigation is …

Management = Communication Leader

A primary role of management is communicating effectively with your team. Tom is  management at his company. He is working on a deal with a  senior manager and two junior level managers. One of the junior level managers is not performing to expectations. So far Tom has only vented his frustration regarding the poor performance …

I Am Not My Disability

When I see children or adults in my practice what I enjoy the most is building the therapeutic relationship with them. After testing gives me a general idea of their needs, I spend weeks and even months getting to know who they are as a person. It’s part of the therapeutic process, but the best …

Why is my child with ASD still having difficulty with writing?

Recently I received an email about someone on the autism spectrum who had writing difficulties, even after receiving tutoring from Sylvan Learning Center and their schools learning disability center. Part of the reason Sylvan might not work for clients on the autism spectrum is because traditional writing interventions do not address the communication issues inherent …

Whole language vs. phonetic based reading

Why are we trying to decide whether whole language or phonetic based reading instruction is the right kind of reading instruction. Kids should have both. The difference between the two forms of training is that whole language instruction means that reading instruction is done within the  context of  whole- language. Phonetic-based instruction, like Orton-Gillingham is reading …

Only Part of the Story: A Professional Assessment

I love TED Talks, and of course, I was interested in a talk by Amy Cuddle titled “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are?  At the age of 19 Ms. Cuddle was in an extremely serious car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Afterward she was told that her IQ was lowered by 2 standard deviations. …

A plan to written success

Students with language-based disabilities often struggle with the acquisition of written language skills. Writing is difficult because there is no ability to repair a breakdown in communication which we do so often in in oral speech. If a reader does not understand a person’s writing, there is no opportunity to question or revise.  When writing …

Stuttering, no …. problems with language formation

Client #1 talking about how to wash the dog “…..will just will just wash off not getting not getting not getting any dirt.  So put wat.. . so wash so wash water on it first then put soap on.” Stuttering, right?   This speech problem is actually the result of difficulty with language formulation, and …