An augmentative alternative communication (AAC) device can be anything that is used to help a person communicate; it can be as simple as a communication board or book or as high-tech as a speech-generating device (SGD). These communication systems are meant to help children or adults who have difficulty communicating verbally. A few weeks ago, Jessie…
As a speech therapist, I’ve found that I can connect with some children right away. These children want to please me and work really hard – maybe we even make some progress in that first session! These sessions make me feel like I am the best speech therapist that has ever existed. This has happened to me…
Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder – the child knows what he or she wants to say, but the brain is unable to move the body parts needed to say the sounds, syllables, and words needed for speech. This Sunday, May 14, is Apraxia Awareness Day, so we asked one of our Kid’s…
As summer quickly approaches, I know everyone is looking for fun and easy ways to keep your kids occupied. Today we’re sharing a few quick and simple ideas for sensory play disguised as fun! Slimy Rainbow Spaghetti Visit Laughing Kids Learn for details on how to make rainbow spaghetti for play, as well as some great ideas for how…
For most people, the ability to talk is taken for granted. Unless you have struggled with speech yourself or have a family member who has struggled with it, you don’t necessarily understand the hardship involved. When a person can’t communicate in a way others understand, there is frustration… on both ends. If a mode of communication is never…
Not only is April Occupational Therapy Month, but 2017 is occupational therapy’s 100th birthday! Today, Kid’s Creek OT Claire Whatley shares a brief history of occupational therapy, how OT is used to treat children, and some information about a little-known aspect (her favorite!) of OT. A Brief History of Occupational Therapy (OT) Many people believe…
On Tuesday, we shared with you a blog written by Kid’s Creek Therapy alum Daniel Harper, a college student who has autism, as part of National Autism Awareness Month. Today, we share some thoughts from his parents, Doug and Jane Harper, about what it was like parenting Daniel. If you missed Daniel’s post, you can…
April is National Autism Awareness Month! Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now affects one in every 68 children in the US, and activities this month promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all. This week we welcome Daniel Harper, an “alum” of Kid’s Creek – now an adult and a college student! Daniel has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form…
As many of you probably remember, last summer I went to China with Operation Smile. In January, I had the opportunity to travel across the world again….this time to the Philippines. This time, I went with the International Children’s Surgical Foundation (ICSF), which was a much smaller group, though no less effective. Two other therapists and I spent…
Last weekend, I stopped at my local grocery store to buy some needed items for dinner. As I was checking out, I noticed a boy crying in a grocery cart. He appeared quite upset as he screamed and hit the cart with his hands. As I finished my shopping and headed home, I thought about…