Daylight Saving Time: How to Helping Children Adjust

Tips to help children adjust to the time change.

Speech Therapy: How To Involve Caregivers & Grandparents

Grandparents working with child on an activity

Speech therapy is not just about what happens in the therapy room—it’s also about practicing skills at home. Involving caregivers and grandparents in home carryover can greatly increase a child’s progress.

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Build Compassion In Our Community : Understand AAC Better

Learn how understanding the use of AAC can build a community of compassionate accepting individuals.

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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.

Autism Awareness behavior communication developmental delay Down Syndrome executive function executive function skills expressive language deficit language language deficit language development learning receptive language social skills special education special needs speech speech language delay support for special needs therapy

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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Exclusive: A Christmas Social Story for All Ages

‘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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How to Prepare for Gift Giving & Receiving

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.

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Playground Communication Board Funding: 6 Ways to Finance

Playground Communication Board Funding: 6 Ways to Finance Accessibility

Communication boards give non-verbal individuals and those with speech differences a voice to build relationships in public spaces. However, bringing a playground or pool communication board to your local park can feel challenging due to upfront costs.

Fortunately, you don’t have to carry the financial load alone. Today, we’re breaking down six practical ways to secure playground communication board funding for your school, park, or community center.

Proven Sources for Playground Communication Board Funding

1. Apply for Disability Grants and Foundations

Many non-profit organizations offer dedicated grant funding for AAC boards and assistive technology. Look into national disability organizations or regional community foundations that support inclusion initiatives. Applying for these specialized grants is often the most direct route to secure full project funding.

2. Pitch Local Corporate Sponsorships

Local businesses love supporting projects that directly impact their immediate community. Create a simple pitch deck showing how outdoor communication signage makes local spaces inclusive. Pitching a local business owner with a tangible goal (e.g., “$1,500 sponsors one board”) can secure quick funding in exchange for their logo on the sign.

3. Launch Crowdfunding Campaigns

Platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe allow you to collect smaller donations from many community members. When setting up your campaign:

Share personal stories about why inclusive play matters.
Detail exact costs so donors know where their money goes.
Ask local community groups to share the campaign link.

4. Host Community Events and Fundraisers

Organize local events like a 5K fun run, a charity bake sale, or a community walk to raise awareness while collecting donations. Partnering with local schools or parks departments for these events helps get more people excited about funding accessible play equipment.

5. Research Government Grants and Civic Programs

Municipal, state, and federal grants frequently allocate funds for park improvements, ADA compliance, and public accessibility projects. Check with your local city council or parks and recreation board to see if existing public improvement funds can be applied to communication signage.

6. Partner with Educational Institutions

Reach out to local universities, colleges, or school districts with special education or speech-language pathology programs. Educational institutions often have access to unique departmental grants or student research funds that can be co-applied toward public accessibility projects.

Securing Playground Communication Board Funding for Your Community

Finding playground communication board funding requires exploring a mix of local and institutional resources, but the payoff is immense. By combining local business support, grants, and grass-roots fundraising, you can give non-verbal children and adults a voice on every playground.

Ready to start? We are here to help. Contact us or Request a Quote today!

Yours in Speech,

Resources at Lakeshore Speech

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10+ Memorable Sensory-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips

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.

Autism behavior communication developmental delay Down Syndrome expressive language deficit getting ready for holidays language development receptive language sensory sensitive social skills social stories special ed special education special needs speech speech language delay support for special needs therapy visual cues

Tag: social skills

‘Twas days before Christmas

Young and old are excited

With gifts a plenty

All the smells and sounds

Have a plan in place

Happy Holidays to all

From Lakeshore Speech!

Playground Communication Board Funding: 6 Ways to Finance Accessibility

Proven Sources for Playground Communication Board Funding

1. Apply for Disability Grants and Foundations

2. Pitch Local Corporate Sponsorships

3. Launch Crowdfunding Campaigns

4. Host Community Events and Fundraisers

5. Research Government Grants and Civic Programs

6. Partner with Educational Institutions

Securing Playground Communication Board Funding for Your Community

Resources at Lakeshore Speech

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