from the eyes of a speech pathologist
As a Speech Pathologist, I often get asked questions about what parents can and should be doing at home for different stages of development. I wanted to share my journey into becoming an actual parent for the first time mixed with the professional advice I can give about development at every stage. I also will be reviewing products that I use with children to stimulate and encourage language as well as baby products I am purchasing and using.
You don't need to have a master's in Speech Pathology to use a lot of these techniques and strategies with your own children. In fact, a lot of these strategies work really fantastically with neurologically typical children and help enhance or advance their language. Remember, parents are always a child's first teacher! If your child is struggling, these tips will also be very helpful.
You don't need to have a master's in Speech Pathology to use a lot of these techniques and strategies with your own children. In fact, a lot of these strategies work really fantastically with neurologically typical children and help enhance or advance their language. Remember, parents are always a child's first teacher! If your child is struggling, these tips will also be very helpful.
What does an slp do exactly?Speech Pathologists (SLPs) work with children and adults who have difficulty in any number of areas that involve language learning, voice, and swallowing. We are trained in anatomy and the science of how the body and the mind work together to produce and understand language.
In the early life, an SLP may be called upon because the child is having difficulty with feeding. As they get older, children may have difficulty speaking or understanding directions. We work with students who have learning disabilities and teach them strategies. Also, children with severe communication impairments, where we try to teach them different ways to communicate so they are not frustrated, sometimes using technology. Sometimes, we improve voice quality and fluency for those who stutter. These issues arise for various reasons, some from trauma or brain injury, others are just born with deficits. No matter the level of functioning, we are experts in teaching language! |
ABOUT MEMy name is Christine and I have been a Speech Language Pathologist for the last 8 years, working with children under 1 to geriatric adults. I have worked in schools, homes, rehab facilities, and have a private practice. I have a great deal of experience with Autism and have worked with children who are medically fragile, have Apraxia, feeding aversions, or are just late talkers. I am certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and am licensed by the state of New York to provide therapy. Personally, while I have taught and helped many families and children over the years, I have never been a parent myself- until now! I am on the pregnancy journey and I know that it will give me a new perspective on children and parents. I am so looking forward to this journey and I know it won't come easy. Our family strives to live as cleanly as possible! What does that mean? We eat organic, buy all non-toxic products, try to be environmentally friendly. It's taken years, hours upon hours of research, because I research EVERYTHING! I am a HUGE researcher and extensively search for the best products. None of the products I discuss are because someone paid me. It is because I use them and trust them and think they are beneficial to people and the environment. Thank you for visiting my page! I hope there is something here you can find valuable or beneficial in some way. ~ Christine |
