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 ...

Recently, a reader inquired on the blog about the specific requirements needed to qualify for services. Her question reads as follows: ''...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 ...

On September 29th 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 with autism. When the IEP goals were written for this child transitioning from birth-3 to the ...

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 Therapy: Tricks n' Treats and featured ideas such as: carving a ...

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 ...

Last December I was assigned a new child to my caseload. She was already being seen by several of my co-workers who each informed me of their grave concerns regarding her development. At the time, she had not yet been diagnosed with anything other than a developmental delay; however two of my seasoned staff members confided that they were ...

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 teachings and what I found at Wikipedia, she shared that ''originally these stages ...

Recently I received the following email from a fellow therapist: ''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 ...

Earlier this week, I wrote a post entitled, Surviving the Financial Crunch to address the increasing financial woes that are plaguing not only our country, but now our industry as well. I am facing it first hand in the county where I live and work. In addition to my own personal and professional experiences, I recently received an email from a ...

I must admit, I love a good controversy every once in awhile! Recently I have been both fascinated and flabbergasted by some of the comments posted on the blog related to oral-motor therapy and its effectiveness. I myself am a huge supporter of oral-motor therapy and use it almost everyday with the majority of the children I treat in EI. I was ...