Hello, Early Intervention Speech Therapy readers!

Stephanie is taking a brief hiatus. She'll return with a new post next Friday. In the meantime, consider this post an open thread to initiate discussion with colleagues about issues pertinent to early intervention. Or, feel free to leave suggestions for Stephanie regarding topics you'd like to see covered in this blog.

Please take care to keep comments ...

Every few days or so, I read through recent comments posted throughout the blog and attempt to address the questions that have been raised by our readers. One of the most pressing issues that is frequently raised by parents reading the blog is apraxia.

When I review the questions and concerns asked by parents, I can hear the intense concern and worry in their messages. It seems as though most of these parents ...

"...I need an explanation of what qualifies as a "25%" delay. I typically am not involved in the eligibility process but was recently put in the position.  How is the 25% delay determined?  Does the child have to score below a certain percentile or be a certain number ...

On September 29^th 2009 we published a post entitled: Autism and Early Intervention Speech Goals. The post discussed a local case of a speech therapist working with 3-5 years olds who prefers and recommends only using sign language with children diagnosed ...

Halloween is just a few short weeks away and those who read my blog often know how much I love the holidays and festive therapy sessions!

Last October I wrote a post filled with simple ways to add a little Halloween fun to your therapy sessions. The post was called Halloween ...

Over the past year this blog has addressed a variety of syndromes, disorders and conditions that affect the many children we treat in early intervention. Due to my lack of time (but not lack of interest!), I do not always have a chance to research all the suggestions that people post and share on the blog. I always find this frustrating because I enjoy hearing what other therapists are doing to enhance their sessions. ...

Last October when I first began writing this blog, I wrote a post entitled: Fall Fun: Using Seasonal Themes to Enhance Therapy, which featured a variety of fall activities that therapists could do with young children during an EI session. I always find seasonal activities ...

When ...

Last week I wrote a post entitled Parents and the Five Stages of Acceptance. Today's post is a continuation and will provide more information about what Elizabeth Kübler-Ross taught us and how we can utilize it in early intervention.

Based on my research of her ...

"I have a little boy who just turned 2 and is not talking, babbling, or vocalizing in any way shape or form.  I have educated the mother repeatedly regarding having his hearing checked and the possibility of other diagnoses and need for evaluation at our Children's Hospital.  She is in denial over the whole thing and says her brother did ...

Thank you to everyone who wrote into the "Surviving the Financial Crunch" post and for sharing your personal experiences regarding the financial hardships we are facing not only as an industry, but also as a nation. Therapists wrote in from across the country: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Illinois, voicing individual stories, concerns and frustrations.

For some of you, your unfaltering ...

There is a family I have worked with for the past two years. The little girl I see will be turning 3 next month and has a diagnosis of Down syndrome. She has a little sister and two wonderful parents. I have had the amazing ...

Recently, more and more readers have been commenting on the blog and have also been sending me personal emails asking for advice and guidance regarding various populations and disabilities. I absolutely love the feedback and I think the networking that has occurred is invaluable. What I am attempting to do in order to answer as many emails/comments as possible, as well as continue ...

One of the ...

Happy July and I hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th Weekend!!

Today's entry will serve as the spirit post for the month of July and will continue to focus on the importance of the initial visit, which is where trust is built and the relationship between therapists and the families we work with begins.

In ...