Getting and giving gifts can be exciting but hard for some individuals. Preparing for this time of the year helps to make everyone’s celebration special.
Continue readingHow to Prepare for Gift Giving and Receiving
Sweet Dreams
Preparation for the start of a new school year is well under way for many. As you may have noticed, the sun is setting a little earlier as we inch our way from summer into fall. Late nights chasing fireflies and roasting s’mores gives way to sports practices, music lessons, and therapy sessions. There are many ways to begin to prepare you and your family for the inevitable change of schedule, none as important as remembering the critical role SLEEP plays in our lives. Young and old, sleep is one of the more overlooked aspects of healthy living.
Please take a moment and read through these two articles not only to understand the role sleep plays for children learning, but some techniques that make help increase your loved ones sleep (as well as your own).
12 Sleep Tips for Kids with Special Needs
Sweet dreams!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
Tax Free Weekend
There are still plenty of SUMMER fun days left before the 2019-20 school year kicks off. Alas, Ohio state’s Tax Free weekend turns our attention to the new school year earlier than we might want. If you are taking advantage of the financial savings this weekend you want to make sure you are prepared with the facts so your aren’t caught paying more than what you anticipated.
School supplies are tax exempt this weekend (up to $20 per item). Get a copy of your child’s supply list before heading off to the store. Make your game plan for the near and far future. Creating a ‘school supplies collection’ in your home could save hours of frustration, melt-downs, and your overall sanity later in the school year. Yes, your child will need to bring the suggested number of glue sticks, but it’s a known fact that glue sticks dissolve upon entry into any school building. Purchase extras (lots of extras) to store in your ‘school supplies collection’ site. Other items to consider purchasing extras include but are never limited to paper, notebooks, pencils, erasers, scissors, highlighters, markers, markers and markers. Throw in a few extra pencil pouches or pencil boxes and maybe some construction paper for good measure.
Clothing (up to $75 per item) is tax exempt this weekend. All clothing … for all ages…. Including DIAPERS. While the children need to be looking their best with in the new school year so do Y.O.U. Make your game plan for the near and far future. Attempting to try on clothes for yourself when shopping with little ones is a kin to attempting to juggle jello spheres in the sun … a hot mess … just a hot mess. Take inventory of what the children need to make your time shopping most effective and then take a look at what YOU need! Consider going shopping for yourself without the company of the children – your time will be spent on someone equally important – Y.O.U.
A few more money saving tips for this weekend…..coupons can be used…get to clipping. You can redeem ‘store bucks’ toward purchases this weekend as well. Tax free clothing applies at second-hand stores, consignment shops and outlets.
Happy shopping!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
It’s All Routine
This month we’ve focused on schedules and free activities to fill those schedules. This week we are discussing routines and the importance of routines related to speech-language development. Personal, familial, classroom, or therapy routines provide a framework of certainty. Within these routines are the skills and expectations that help to introduce and maintain speech-language skills, social pragmatic skills and increased independence with executive functioning skills.
Take a moment and replay your morning routine back in your head. Do you brush your teeth before you wash your face? Do you take a medication right away or do you take it with your first cup of coffee? It’s easy to picture yourself completing your morning routine and if something is off, you know it immediately.
Routines for infants and toddlers provide a number of opportunities to practice important speech-language and social skills. Anticipating the steps, sequencing steps, learning the vocabulary associated with the steps are all skills infants and toddlers need to develop meaningful associations with language and action. Daily routines provide the repetition of vocabulary and actions leading to independent participation in these routines.
Routine for school aged children can provide a calming environment for anticipating activities as well as expectations throughout the day. Similar to infants and toddlers, sequencing steps, learning vocabulary and making associations provides the foundation for increasing successful independence throughout the day. Routines also give the child the opportunity to learn the expected behaviors and unwritten social rules in a repeat practice setting. Daily routines facilitate conversations between child and adult to specifically explain and model appropriate social and behavioral expectations.
Routines for older children and young adults create a setting where focus can be more on new skills and independence versus the actual steps. These routines are not only part of the day, but provide the opportunity to increase independence and demonstrate expected behaviors and social skills which should be the focus of mastery for young adults. Routines at this age also provide opportunities for increased independence imperative for vocational and secondary education settings.
Individuals who have tendencies to become rigid regarding implementation and execution of routines, such that any variation creates adverse behaviors need to have their routines continuously changed. This does not mean the target task or activity needs to change, however change when the task or activity occurs. For example, night time routine might go tv time -change in pjs – brush teeth – book time – lights out. Consider changing to book time – brush teeth – change in pjs – tv time – lights out or some variation. You know your loved one best and will be able to determine how often the change needs to occur.
If you have any questions or need a sounding board regarding routines, please reach out to your speech-language pathologist.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
Lakeshore Speech Therapy Summer 2019 Programming
Every summer, we at Lakeshore Speech Therapy work to provide our clients and families with programming that meets everyone’s needs. This year we are excited to offer programs for everyone from toddlers to teens. Please take a moment to see all that we have to offer. Share this information with friends and family that may benefit from these amazing programs. As always, please share your ideas for future programs.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
Testing..1, 2, 3….Testing
The end of March marks the start of the ‘testing’ season for student’s in the elementary, middle, and high schools. These high stakes tests are stressful for everyone, but imagine the stress your loved one might be experiencing knowing these tests are looming in the near future. Your loved one may appear more irritable or extremely giddy. Your loved one may want to sleep more or have more energy than you’ve ever seen. You may be eaten out of house and home or begging your loved one to eat just something. Stress looks different on everyone, but what is a parent or caregiver to do?
Breathe.
Helping your loved one cope with high stress situations is a life lesson that will span the ages. Helping your loved one not only cope with the stress, but providing much needed relief can make these days and weeks less ….. stressful.
You know your loved on the best and can probably tell their stress level just be the look in their eye. Unfortunately, being able to relieve that stress may take more convincing and patience on your part.
Create a ‘stress-less zone’. Make a special corner of a bedroom or living room the ‘stress-less zone’. A comfy pillow and cozy blanket may be the needed tools. Consider some music (some students prefer the louder the better rather than quiet music) and lighting (dim or bright) as the invisible walls of the ‘stress-less area’. Aromatherapy may be an option to add to the stress-less zone. Expensive oils may or may not be needed; consider an old t-shirt with familiar perfume or cologne on it or a stuffed animal with powder on it – any smell that is soothing to your loved one.
Create a ‘crash zone’ for your loved one. An old mattress or gym pads on the floor or a mini trampoline may provide just the place to for your loved one to ‘crash’ into at the end of the day. Old school blow up punching doll or an actual punching page may prove to be effective tools to de-stress. A few empty cardboard boxes that can be stomped and crushed may also be great additions to this area.
Create a ‘silent zone’ for your loved one. An area that is void of all stimuli. An area in the corner of a closet may be just the spot to recenter and decompress. Make the area as simple as possible with a mat or a single pillow. Remove as much visual and auditory clutter as possible. A place where silence is truly golden.
Create a ‘zone’ for your loved one that is combination of the few mentioned here and those that you know work best. Take the time to designate the space and materials to creating these ‘zones’. Your loved one may not be able to express how much it is appreciated or how they enjoy their special zone, but you will know by the look in their eye.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech, LLC.
It’s Okay!
It’s Okay! This week the message is short, but it comes with an assignment and that’s Okay.
The book “It’s Okay to be Different” by Todd Parr is a favorite in some homes (the author of this blog to be exact). The message is simple and speaks to everyone, young and old.
This week, go to your local library and take out a copy of “It’s Okay to be Different” and read it out loud every day. It’s guaranteed to make you and your loved ones smile.
Some families (again the author of this blog) adopted a specific line as a reminder that it’s OK; especially when a loved ones difference cause frustration or hurt feelings. “It’s Okay to eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub.” was enough to calm those hurt feelings or frustration.
Go ahead, get the book. It’s Okay!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
National Audiology Awareness Month!
October celebrates many worthy causes and organizations. Our brothers and sisters in Audiology are recognized in October as it is National Audiology Awareness month!
Hearing is something taken for granted too often. While it is a true fact that hearing acuity decreases with age, taking steps to preserve hearing is important at all ages. The National Department of Human Services “It’s a Noisy Planet Protect Their Hearing” Campaign shares important information and reminders for parents of child of all ages.
Sound that is 85 decibels or higher may cause hearing loss. The volume and length of time spent listening to sound at an elevated level as well as the proximity to the source, the more damage can occur to your hearing. Our environment is filled with sounds that are well over 85 decibels (dB), some you probably have never considered.
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We all need to be mindful of what and how long we are exposing our children and ourselves to damaging sounds. Damage can build up over time. Simple ways to decrease the risk of hearing loss are move away from the sound source, wear hearing protectors (earmuffs, earplugs, etc) and turn the volume down, especially when wearing headphones/earbuds.
Take time this month to pay attention and make positive changes to preserve your hearing that of those you love. More information can be found at the “It’s a Noisy Planet” website.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
Friday Night Lights
Friday night lights! High school traditions! Go Team!
Fall is the time of year to grab your favorite sweatshirt and enjoy an evening of high school football. “Enjoy” – that’s the difficult part especially for some. The many sounds and smells as well as the number of people all in one place can cause loved ones with integration issues difficulty in large crowds. There are a number of proactive steps families can take to help loved ones adjust to these situations.
Paint a picture of what the individual will experience during their time at the game. For example:
- We are going to park the car in the parking lot (or, in some instances, the – field, street, etc.)
- We will walk to the gate or entrance of the field.
- We will have to stand in line to get our tickets.
- Note: if available, please consider purchasing tickets ahead of time. Less time anxiously waiting, the better.
- There will be a lot of people around us; you will hear them talking and shouting.
- We will walk to our seats
- We will walk up or down the stadium steps
- Note: if the stadium steps are open (meaning you can see the ground below) you may want to consider sitting in an area closer to the ground or where the steps are solid.
- We will sit in our seats
- Note: if the individual is sensitive to pressure – consider bringing a blanket or stadium chair to decrease the sensation of the ‘hard’ stadium bleachers.
- Etcetera
- Don’t forget to include what will be
- heard (band, horns, cheering, etc.)
- seen
- smelled
- Don’t forget to include what will be
Carry an ‘important tools’ bag. This bag should contain items that calm the individual, items that may distract attention from an unpleasant sensation and items that will help to diminish non-preferred sensations. The bag may include noise canceling headphones, headphones and a music source,ear plugs, fidget toys, extra blankets, weighted blankets, etc.
Plan your arrival and departure around preferred events. If the individual loves watching the marching band, but is bothered by all the whistles during the game, arrive at the game 15-25 minutes late. If the individual does not appreciate the marching band, make arrangements for an activity or get special permission to leave and re-enter the the stadium during halftime. If the individual does or does not like the mascot, plan your seats in the location accordingly.
Give your loved one a voice during the game. Pre-record a cheer or a special message on a voice recorded switch. No need to get too high tech, this is a high energy exciting time, it’s more important to get the message out! If a device is not an option, make a sign that shares the message or use a horn or bell for the individual to be part of the roaring crowd. If you need more information or ideas, please do not hesitate to ask any speech therapist at Lakeshore Speech.
Friday night lights shine brighter when everyone is involved. Go Team!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC.
Getting out the door in one piece
A new school year, a new therapy schedule, just the time to create some new habits for a smooth transition. Being pulled in a million different directions is enough to make anyone harried . You and your family’s stress levels do not need to be off the charts. Help yourself and those you love create a game plan that is sure to score big this Fall.
Organizing tasks, managing time and executing a plan are all executive functioning skills. Skills we all (no matter the age) continue to polish and refine throughout our lives. Executive functioning skills are not innate to some, butare skills that need to be taught and practiced. When executive functioning skills begin to mature and become second nature, the stress decreases significantly.
Your game plan to create an environment that supports and teaches executive functioning skills does not have to be elaborate. Try a few of these suggestions and see the difference for yourself. .
- Under 5 years old
- Specific area or tub or bin where favorite toys are kept
- Diaper bag filled and ready to go – this bag should be kept in the same location (ie: hook, shelf) at all times so it is easy to find and grab while you are running out of the door.
- Keep an emergency bag/bin in the car at all times – stock with snacks, diapers, change of clothes (for your child and yourself), wipes, etc.
- School Age
- Backpack, coat, boots, etc. all have a specific location. This does not have to be elaborate. Grab a few empty cardboard boxes, have each child (and adult) decorate the box, arrange boxes near the entrance door. Elminiates the “trail” of belongs going through the house when your children return from school.
- In/Out Boxes/bins for school papers. Inevitably, your child will have a ‘home’ folder and/or school papers that need your attention. Make a simple In/Out box system using gift boxes (reinforced with tape) to ensure these important papers do not get lost in a pile. Work with your child in getting the home folder out of the backpack and into the In/Out box. You won’t have to worry about losing the papers and can get to them when you have time to focus your attention.
- “Everything has a place and every place as a thing.” Words to live by!
- Key hooks
- Shoe mats
- Lunch box baskets
- Home information Centers
- School clothes dresser drawers vs play clothes dresser drawers
- Simple after school “To Do” list :
- Put folder in IN/OUTBox
- Change clothes
- Get a snack
- Start homework
Your family’s unique style will dictate the creative ways in which you discover to better manage executive functioning skills. Do not hesitate to consult with a Speech-Language Therapist for specific techniques not only for the entire family, but for specific members who could use individual attention in this area.
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC