We saw this lot number, and it was close to a stop sign.
It was the perfect opportunity to compare and contrast. If your child has difficulty coming up with similarities or differences, just prompt them with YES/NO questions.
Are they the same size? No.
“That’s right! The stop sign is bigger!”
Do they both have numbers? No.
“They don’t, do they? One has numbers and one has letters...”
Oh! Do they have the same colors? YES!
“They are both red and white!”
(could also do shapes/ locations)
Aiden is one of our amazing CP warriors. He has been using our cage during weekly occupational therapy sessions with Miss Julie. Just look at all the progress he has made! Not only has his trunk become stronger using the cage, his left arm is now close to reaching full range of motion in flexion and abduction.
We are SO proud of Aiden, and we cannot wait to see what the next six months will bring! #PracticePracticePractice #PracticeMakesProgress 👏🏼
Experience. Experience. Experience. Kids will retain new vocabulary if they experience it! While talking to your children about their surroundings, define a new word, then use the new word in a sentence! “That thing is not working (definition) one bit! Look how bad it’s malfunctioning (new vocabulary)!” Another example, “That toy isn’t working anymore, so we’ll need to buy a new one (definition). Let’s get a replacement (new vocabulary) at the store tomorrow!
Kids need to <experience> all the different components of language. If they’re not exposed to variations of vocabulary, they will have limited vocabulary themselves. Last week we talked about synonyms (words with the same meaning) but don’t forget those antonyms (words with opposite meanings). “WOW! That bug was MASSIVE! It wasn’t tiny, that’s for sure!”
Last week we talked about using the same phrases repeatedly to enhance language. RECAP: Kids need to be exposed multiple times & experience new terms frequently to develop new vocabulary. Has your child learned that coffee is HOT because you tell her every morning “Oo! Don’t touch! Hot, hot, hot!” If so, use a NEW word, we’re talking synonyms here, in the place of those that are familiar.
☕️ That is 🔥SCORCHING🔥, don’t touch! Perhaps they’ve heard you say every morning, “I am TIIIIRED. I need some coffee.” Next time yawn and say, “I’m EXHAUSTED!”
Same context, new word!
[Anyone else dreaming of coffee after a glorious long weekend? 😬☕️] #Yawn #Cheers #GrowThatLanguage
Mamas/caregivers sometimes wonder if they say the “same. thing. too. much.” The answer is NO! As you incorporate language in every day routines, you WILL use the same phrases on repeat! This is how those sweet, little brains soak up new vocabulary. They must hear it, see it, & experience it over and over. This is also why a kid might call a sneeze 🤧 a “bless you”. 😆 Every time a person sneezes, we don’t typically say, “there’s a sneeze!” We more frequently exchange, “bless you”. A silly reminder to label all the things as they occur. Every time you walk out of a room? Don’t just turn the light off and move on. NARRATE for your baby/child “Light off!” When your baby/child is going to bed, have them wave and say “bye bye” or “night night” 👏🏼 every 👏🏼 night!
Are you aware of your kid’s goals?! Are they working on receptive language? Expressive language? Both? Let them “read”! As you’re reading, leave off object names!
“I know, I’ll be a witch who rides on a ____?” Point to the broom as you sit quietly, and they’ll learn what you’re expecting them to say! As they listen to the context of who is doing what, this helps their receptive language. If they say “BROOM!”, they are achieving that expressive labeling goal! Perhaps they don’t know that word yet. After wait time, just model it for them. “She’s on a broom!”
This is a fun way to work on expressive language without constantly asking “what’s this?” !
It’s never too early to work on those prepositions! Do your kids make a mess with their toys? BAM! Instant language enhancing activity. Talk about all the toys OUT of the basket and ON the floor.
All done playing? Make a game out of cleaning them up! With every toss say, “IN THE BASKET!”
We had a sweet little graduate a few weeks ago!! Our therapists can have these bitter sweet goodbyes thanks to the hard work of our patients AND their caregivers who are consistent in bringing them to their sessions! #DreamTeam #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
🎃HAPPY HALLOWEEN🎃 from ATS!
Still reflecting on all the fun we had this week! 🤩
🎃👻 What a spooktacular week it’s been!
What’s more fun than wearing constumes?! WEARING THEM WITH FRIENDS! We’re having a blast today in therapy AND at our Halloween Party on the patio. Thanks for participating and joining the fun!
More party fun to be had tomorrow, too!
🎃🎃🎃🎃
Are you doing anything festive this week?! Think of ways to make them laugh by saying things that make no sense! (The fancy term for this is “absurdities”). Kids have to hear, receptive language, what isn’t quite right, then express the correction!
Parent/caregiver: Ok! I’ve got the icing and pepper! Let’s make Halloween cookies!!!
“No, mom! We don’t need pepper for our cookies! We need sprrrrrinkles!”
You don’t have to have fancy “speech and language” ideas or skills to use your environment!!!
It could honestly be you and your baby/toddler sitting in a room. Nothing else.
“How many people are in the room?! Let’s count! 1,2! Me and you!”
If you’re exploring a book together ... (per always) go beyond the text. Is the text about a sunny day? I bet there are birds flying around, COUNT THEM!
When you count, you’re giving the child something to do WHILE labeling/modeling various items, ie: VOCABULARY!
#LearnThroughPlay #ExperienceLanguage
Don’t forget to talk about pictures vs ONLY the written text!
Here is a great example!!
“Let’s count the marshmallows! Wow, there are four!”
“How many are IN the hot cocoa?!”
“How many are OUT of the cup?”
“I love the way marshmallows float on the top! They make hot chocolate so yummy, too!”
🤩
FAST
December 4, 2020 at 1:55 PM ·
Cute book that tell about a little boy with autism. Available on amazon!!
https://www.amazon.com/Delightfully-Different-childrens-about-autism/dp/B08NS6H63H/ref=sr_1_2?crid=38V6JTLAAWQ9B&dchild=1&keywords=delightfully+different+autism&qid=1607108115&sprefix=delightfuly+di%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-2
Kids are a curious bunch! When we give their little minds opportunities to explore new things, it’s an amazing platform for language!
Before throwing away containers, see if their little hands can open and close them. Talk about the container: is it big and plastic or small and cardboard? Truvia packets come the coolest hinged boxes 😬. Maybe go around the house and see what toys can fit in such a tiny box.
“Oh! The lotion won’t fit because it’s too big. Maybe your bouncy ball will!”
Make guesses. (Even if you know they’re wrong). Verbalizing your thought processes is a wonderful model.
“I wonder if my shoe will fit! Oh man! It’s too big. Let’s try one of your cars!”
Today’s tip: Start each day with a grateful heart! 😊
These hardworking therapists at ATS (from BOTH locations!) have a lot to be thankful for: amazing colleagues and patients to name a few! ☺️ #BetterTogether #ThankfulThankful
Do not be afraid to model word approximations, words that are close to the real thing!
For “up” (pick me up, cleanup...) you might first model “uh”.
Or perhaps they want you to open things for them. Teach them to say “op”. Model, model, model, until they say “op” themselves. Once they say the approximation follow up with, “YAY! Open!”
It’s kind of like getting on the same page for a code language. It’s not exactly right, but given the approximations you’ve practiced + context, you will establish functional language- effective communication for understanding each other!
It's very important to understand ANY intentional interaction our child performs COUNTS as communication! They do not have to be verbalizing actual/correctly produced (as far as language is concerned) words to communicate. It's equally important TO CELEBRATE these efforts! Do a silly dance or clap those hands in a circle for that goofy "round of applause". If they follow directions when they've been struggling to do so? PRAISE THEM. "Oh my goodness! You did that right away! I'm SO proud of you. You must have on your listening ears!" Maybe they simply look at something you're offering them (communication!), take a brief moment to verbally praise their choice. "Oo, pretty! You picked the purple ball! I like that one, too!"
Great event that sponsors children with autism!
FAST
January 11 at 6:35 PM ·
Jump’N Jacks Sensory Friendly Night is THIS Thursday, January 14th! Don’t forget to register at https://www.fastvaldosta.com/jumpnjacks and each child with Autism gets in FREE!
Also, keep an eye out in the next few weeks for changes to the process for our members and events that will begin in February!
