Due to changes at the workplace, which are mainly fiscally driven, my current work position is expanding and I will no longer treat children solely in the preschool. Now, some of my days will be split as I will be back on the road in homecare therapy for a few hours a week. It's been more than 3 years now since I left homecare and the birth to ...

This week I'd like to continue with specific therapy material suggestions for new graduates and the books and manuals that have worked for me, with a focus on cognitive-linguistic resources. Cognitive-linguistic therapy is a very important aspect of our work in geriatrics and long-term care (LTC). At the very least, we should be supporting ...

Dear Kathie: ''Chad is 5 years old and ‘very' autistic and non-verbal. He covers his ears with his hands when there is a loud noise, such as a fire alarm, or even when he anticipates a loud noise, like a balloon that he thinks may pop. How can I help him, his classroom teacher, and his parents? - Payton, speech-language pathologist My ...

Dear Kathie: What are your thoughts on using an iPad with the autistic population?'' - Mary, speech-language pathologist and parent of a child with autism Kathie's Response: I like it. I love it. I want some more of it. But, instead of calling it an iPad for the autistic population, I think we should rename it a wePad. That is because WE ...

Last week, Sam asked a great question: if I could give one single word that best describes what autism is or how it feels to have autism, what would it be? That single word is anxiety. This week, I want to give you some techniques to use with people with autism to ease that high anxiety level they suffer. And I do mean suffer. Anxiety ...

  This blog is based on the following presentation from the 2011 ASHA Convention: Exploring Child Characteristics/Family Factors in Evidence-Based Practice for Autism By Twyla Perryman, PhD, CCC-SLP Assistant Professor East Carolina University, Greenville, NC perrymant@ecu.edu    Dr. Perryman and Kathie Dr. ...

I love to hug children Hugs feel so good I'd hug them every day If only I should. But hugs are for parents Grandparents and such Professionals should go with High fives, knuckles and thumbs up. Today, on Thanksgiving Give your family your best Squeeze them with hugs Save high fives for the rest. ...

I'm working with several young, bright children on the autism spectrum and I need a new, creative way to teach the alphabet. I want to take them beyond rote memory skills and into conversational speech. What kind of ideas do you have for me? Shannon, SLP Kathie's Tips:  Have I got a great, new, techie, alphabet chart to share ...

Part III-A, posted last week, my blog presented some fun strategies for targeting humor/ laughter and attention/focus for the very young autistic mind. The purpose of these two blogs is to mesh the right side of the brain with the left side of the brain and to help a person with ASD ''dance'' in a more synchronized fashion. Here are two ...

Every 6 months or so, I like to recap and review popular posts and the topics that seem to be most important to our readers. In addition, I carefully comb through recent reader comments to make sure that questions are being addressed and people are able to get the answers they are seeking. Today's post will do just that, so please join me in ...