Down Syndrome | Lakeshore Speech Therapy

How To Encourage The Use of Communication Boards

Children using Playground communication boards

In this week’s blog, learn how to model and encourage the use of communication boards to increase communication and build meaningful relationships.

How To Make Sure Inclusive Playgrounds Have What They Need

Inclusive playgrounds create an environment of acceptance for all children. When designing a playground it is important to include the key elements.

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How to Make Play an Important Part of the Day

Play is important at all stages of child development. Play is the ‘work’ of childhood.

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Following Your Schedule: How to get Back on Track

Holidays can be a time when the normal routine is disrupted. It’s time to get back on track and follow your daily routine.

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Talking and Growing: New Year’s Resolutions for Speech Therapy!

A brand new year is days away, and that means we get a chance to make some new resolutions! This year, let’s think about making some special resolutions for speech therapy.

Practice Every Day:

One resolution could be to practice your speech exercises every day. Turn practice into playing a game. The more you practice, the better you will become!

Use My Special Words:

Use the special words your speech therapist teaches you as much as possible. These words help you talk smoothly, and they make you feel super proud!

Speak Slowly and Clearly:

Work on speaking slowly and clearly. This way, everyone can understand you when you talk.

Tell More Stories:

Make a resolution to tell more stories or help your child tell more stories. Share your adventures, dreams, and funny moments. It’s a fun way to practice talking.

Ask Questions:

Ask more questions and join in conversations. Questions help you learn new things, and it’s a cool way to make friends!

Read Out Loud:

Reading out loud is like a speech party! Pick your favorite books and read them to friends, family, or even to a pet. It’s great practice!

Be Patient and Positive:

Sometimes, it might feel tricky, but you might want to promise to be patient. Stay positive and celebrate even the small wins. Every step is a step forward!

Thank Your Speech Helpers:

We help each other, and this year, thank your speech buddies. We’re in this together!

Try New Sounds:

Be adventurous and try new speech sounds. It’s like a fun challenge to make your speech even more awesome!

Celebrate Progress:

At the end of each month, celebrate the progress you’ve made. Maybe treat yourself to something special. Yay for progress!

So there you go, friends! These speech therapy resolutions are yours for the taking. Let’s make it an amazing year of talking, growing, and reaching new speech goals together. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

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Days Before Christmas

‘Twas days before Christmas

And all thru the place,

Anticipation was brewing

Behaviors a disgrace.

Young and old are excited

Let’s celebrate – oh Joy!

Use your expected social skills

For every girl and boy.

With gifts a plenty

Don’t forget the magic word,

For friends and family,

“Thank you” must be heard.

All the smells and sounds

For many is bliss,

Yet other lament

“I can do without this!”

Have a plan in place

Creating comfort abound,

Makes for a season

Of happiness all ‘round.

Happy Holidays to all

The message to you each,

Tidings of joy to everyone

From Lakeshore Speech!

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9 Easy Ways to Create Sensory Friendly Holiday Decor

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. We’ll explore how to create a sensory-friendly holiday environment by making thoughtful choices in your decorations.

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Sensory-Friendly Thanksgiving

Celebrating Thanksgiving with a child with Autism may require some preparations ahead of time and on the special day to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

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Sensory Sensitive Holiday Fun!

December has arrived and as with every year, it seems as if the calendar speeds up during this festive time. Packing in all the shopping, decorating and taking in the holiday fun can seem overwhelming. The elves at Lakeshore Speech Therapy took a little time to compile a one stop list of events in the Northeast Ohio area that are sensory friendly. These events are not only sensitive to the amount of unnecessary smells, sounds and sights, but often the pace of the event is slowed as well as those ‘working’ the event have been given some information on how to best engage with individuals with special needs.

Sensory Friendly “Carol” by Great Lakes Theatre
Krafts with Mrs. Clause
Sensory Friendly Santa
Children’s Museum of Cleveland – December
Santa Cares
Westlake Porter Library
- BINGO for adults
- Sensory Friendly Movie
Lakewood Public Library
- Sharons Signers Presents: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Cleveland Public Library
- Adapted Story Time
Cuyahoga Library
- Adapted Story Time
AMC Movie Theater Sensory Friendly Movies
SkyZone – Sensory Hours
Kringle’s Inventionasium (While there is not a specific a specific sensory friendly event, when given advanced notice, the website indicates accommodations can be made.)

We hope you are able to take a few moments and enjoy these events with your loved ones.

Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC

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Making a Self-Care Plan

All of the clocks have finally all been changed (except for one, there is always ONE clock in the house that just never quite makes the cut and is never changed), the Halloween decorations have been put away and what is that sound? Silence. The calm before the Holiday Season frenzy.

Take a few seconds of this ‘down time’ to focus on realizing the importance of self-care. Parents and caregivers of individuals with special needs typically do not stop to worry about themselves. Not only is this pattern unfair to your loved ones, but more importantly, it is not fair to Y.O.U.

Consider the five minutes it takes you to read this blog post as the start of your self-care routine. Consider taking this time to make a plan for yourself. Give yourself the opportunity to refill your tank so you can cruise into the Holiday Season ready and rejuvenated.

Yours in Speech,

Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC

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Tag: Down Syndrome