Special Spotlight: Little Henry

Henry has been coming to North Paulding Speech Language Therapy one time/week for over a year.

During that time he was diagnosed with Autism. To some, this diagnosis can be overwhelming and defeating. However, his Mom and Grandma committed to bringing Henry to therapy on a weekly basis to improve his communication skills. Henry has made consistent progress learning to use gestures, signs, vocalizations, and a communication board to communicate his wants/needs.

With Speech therapy, Henry is gaining new words and phrases daily. Henry is a smart little boy who just learns differently from other normal developing children. His weaknesses turn into strengths and he amazes us every Speech session. Henry is a 3-year old boy with wonderful parents and grandparents! He teaches me something new every week and brings much JOY to this Speech- Language Pathologist!

Kristin Dabbelt, M.A, CCC-SLP

SLP Tips: Simple at home exercises

Basic coloring tasks while asking “who, what, where” questions, as well as showing understanding of function (“what we see with, smell with, eat with” etc).

Reviews basic concepts and early developing skills (amounts, colors, sizes, etc). When drawing, you can also work on emphasizing ending sounds if your child drops ending sounds in words.

Plurals can also be addressed such as “shoes, eyes, hands, ornaments,” and more. Giving choices is a great way to encourage verbal speech as well. 

Emily Gantt Cantrell, M.Ed, CCC-SLP

SLP Tips: Christmas themed activities to consider using with your child this year:

Here is a List of basic inexpensive Christmas themed activities to consider using with your child this year:

1 Coloring sheets and other crafts based on child’s interests. 

2 Make a sensory bucket. Consider dollar tree items that are Christmas themed that go along with the story (a train, cotton balls for snow, a small tree figurine etc, a green pom pom with eyes to make the grinch, red and green spiral noodles, etc) 

3 Act out a story or scene from a movie. Dress up as a character, work on taking turns talking (not interrupting) and staying on topic about the information from the story/Christmas movie. 

4 Make your own Christmas story together! Illustrate it too, if you’d like! Be sure to include important elements like: Characters, settings, a main idea, feelings/emotions characters have along the way, a few fun details or steps (example: 1st  they gathered lights, then they put them on a tree, and after that they put on ornaments that were red and white), and a conclusion. 

5 Compare and contrast Christmas items to other items. Example: a Christmas tree and a palm tree, or a sleigh and a car. How are they the same? How are they different? 

6 Develop some routines related to Christmas, such as signing a Christmas song every time you leave the house or ride in the car. Pause the music or stop singing, to see if your child will continue and use verbal words/targets on their own. 

7 Work on amounts by placing items in a stocking, having the child count out those items (such as toy coal, reindeer toys, or soft ornaments without hooks that are safe). Once all items are out ask them for “one, some, all” etc. 

8 Us a Christmas box with a lid or top (rip/cut off the bottom or just make a slit so it can be opened if you’d like). Place items “in, on, under, behind, next to the box” or even move the box and name where it’s located such as “behind the couch, under the table, in front of the  tv,” etc. To work on understanding positional words. 

9 Think of songs that use your kids articulation sounds: if your child works on R sounds, consider practicing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”

10 Work on following directions, following a schedule (using pictures for each step if needed), showing understanding of action words (stir, pour, pat, sprinkle, etc), and engage in hands on sensory input by letting your child help you with a simple Christmas recipe. 

11 Match and sort items (all snowflakes in one area, all Santa hats in another). All green items go on a green paper with a tree drawn on it, or on the red paper with the stock ing drawn on it)

12 Work on negations. Examples: which Christmas bag has “no” toy, which toy is “not” in a bag, which bag is “not” red, etc). It’s easier and more basic if you have at least three bags, and two are the same and one is different. Such as having two bags with a toy inside, but one is empty. Two bags are red but one bag is blue.

Emily Gantt Cantrell, M.Ed, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

SLP Tips: On the 12th day of Christmas my SLP gave me, 12 ideas for using Christmas stories!

How can we used Christmas stories to work on a child’s skills?

1. Improve vocabulary by teaching meanings of unfamiliar words first, review, then read the story and talk about the words.

2. Answer comprehension questions (consider asking: who, what, where, when, why questions, or yes/no  questions depending on your child’s level and what they work on in speech)

3. Sequence the story (what came first, what was next, after that, what happened last?). Give some choices or have them place pictures from the story in order for example. 

4. Make predications. (Do you think he will find it? What do you think is inside? Etc)

5. Assume feelings of characters and come up with solutions for when the character may have a negative emotion (how do you think they feel? If the character might be sad, see if the child could come up with ways the character could solve a problem and no longer be sad)

6. Use sensory/touch and feel books for your child with sensory needs.

7. Have your child work on book orientation (holding it right side up, flipping pages one at a time and only forwards not backwards, showing understanding of a “word” verses a “picture,” the cover, etc). 

8. Have your child work on sitting and attending to a book until it’s finished. Consider shorter books and interactive books for this skill if it’s challenging for your child! Give high fives, praise and allow them to sit in a space that allows some movement or fidgeting (like in a rocking chair or on a cushion/pillow they can wiggle on) throughout the story for remaining seated and attentive.

9. Rhyming in books! Work on ending sounds if your child deletes and omits the last sounds in words. Also, rhyming improves comprehension skills.

10. Opposites in books to improve comprehension and vocabulary skills. If the book mentioned “cold” ask for the opposite to have them think of “hot.”

11. Have child imitate/repeat sentences and statements from story. (For improved recall and memory)

12. Seek and find items/pictures on the pages, or act out actions mentioned in the story along the way. 

 

“Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

(Higher level story).

Potential Vocabulary words:

 

You don’t have that story? That’s okay! Just look up “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas read aloud” online.

 

“I’m the Grinch.” 

Potential Vocabulary words:

Don’t have the story? That’s okay. Check out an online read aloud. Like this one here

Other stories to consider: 

“Polar Express”

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

“The Cool Bean: As Cool As It Gets” (great for building understanding of some different more complex feelings and emotions, such as being nervous), found here

Emily Gantt Cantrell, M.Ed, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Holiday Shopping List for Kids


Special list from our NPSLT SLP’s

The weather is getting a litter cooler, the leaves are falling, and you are starting to hear the sounds of the season as you venture into your favorite stores. As the holiday season approaches we typically get asked this question as an SLP.

“What are the best developmental toys I can get for my little one, also where can I get them?”

We are here to provide you will a starter list along where best to find the item. Hope this helps you find those wonderful toys that will help your little one grow and advance in the skills they need.

HOLIDAY LIST

Recommended toys for ages 0-5 years old, early years, and early language development.

Potato head:

Playskool Mr. Potato Head Tater Tub Set Parts and Pieces Container Toddler Toy for Kids https://a.co/d/6weQqJH

Potato Head Create Your Potato Head Family Toy For Kids Ages 2 and Up, Includes 45 Pieces to Create and Customize Potato Families https://a.co/d/cUsaqq3

Poke a dot books:

Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Book Bundle: First Words, First Colors & Shapes (Amazon Only) https://a.co/d/8Ie3Xhe

Melissa & Doug Children's Book - Poke-a-Dot: Old MacDonald’s Farm (Board Book with Buttons to Pop) https://a.co/d/4Faxnnr

Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Book – Dinosaurs A to Z & Poke-a-Dot Book – 10 Little Monkeys https://a.co/d/3tEifv0

Spin again:

Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Kids Stacking Toy https://a.co/d/8i4Ipuc

Battat shape sorter:

Battat – Shape Sorter – Colorful Sorting Toy – 3 Shapes & Sounds – Educational & Developmental Toy for Toddlers – Shapes & Sound Sorter – 18 Months + https://a.co/d/aOOZV3B

Car ramp:

TOP BRIGHT Car Ramp Toy for 1 2 3 Year Old Boy Gifts, Toddler Race Track Toy for 18 Month Old with 4 Wooden Cars and 3 Car Garage https://a.co/d/29BOCjG

Velcro ball and target game:

28'' Dart Board for Kids, Large Board Games for Kids with 12 Sticky Balls, Indoor Outdoor Party Games Toys for Kids Birthday Toys Gift for Boys Girls Age 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Years Old https://a.co/d/bDuJOCz

Food/sorting with colors:

Learning Resources Farmer's Market Color Sorting Set - 30 Pieces, Ages 18+ months Pretend Play Toys for Toddlers, Play Food for Toddlers, Play Kitchen for Toddlers https://a.co/d/bw5dJpH

Water wow:

Melissa & Doug Water Wow! - Water Reveal Pad Bundle - Farm, Safari & Under The Sea https://a.co/d/7vc4x8Q

Animal toys/matching:

Melissa & Doug Pop Blocs Farm Animals Educational Baby Toy - 10 Linkable Pieces https://a.co/d/6K6bIK6

Blocks:

Kingtree Baby Blocks (Set of 9), Squeeze Building Blocks Soft Stacking Baby Toys for 6 Months and up, Colorful Teething Chewing Educational Stacking Blocks Set with Numbers Animals Shapes Textures https://a.co/d/gD2h2AL

Chewy tubes:

Lull Kids Chewy Tubes Oral Motor Tool - Sensory Toys for Autistic Children, Sensory Chew Toys for Autistic Children, Chewies for Kids Sensory, Autism Chew Toys Sensory, Chewy Sticks (Blue/Red) https://a.co/d/cjhqfgj

Chew Necklace by GNAWRISHING - 6-Pack （ Dog Tag, Shark and Building |Block）- Perfect for Autistic, ADHD, SPD, Oral Motor Children, Kids, Boys, and Girls (Tough, Long-Lasting) https://a.co/d/dzqkbHT

Sensory bin:

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Outer Space - Preschool and Toddler Sensory Toys, Fine Motor Skills Toys and Sensory Activities for Kids Ages 3+ https://a.co/d/1QyK0iN

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ocean and Sand - Fine Motor and Sensory Toys for Kids https://a.co/d/07JLpyN

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Bake Shop - Pretend Play Toddler Activities, Sensory Toys for Toddlers Ages 3-4+ https://a.co/d/iZ4DvOM

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Mermaid Lagoon - Preschool Learning Toys for Girls and Boys Ages 3+, Mermaid Toys for Toddlers https://a.co/d/4KioIDH

Truck/in and out:

VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck, Yellow https://a.co/d/34Ux56P

Puzzles:

Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Sound Puzzle - Wooden Peg Puzzle With Sound Effects (8 pcs) https://a.co/d/i3qh1ew

Melissa & Doug Zoo Animals Sound Puzzle - Wooden Peg Puzzle With Sound Effects (8 pcs) https://a.co/d/8QIIgZg

Dress up/clothing:

Melissa & Doug Abby and Emma Deluxe Magnetic Wooden Dress-Up Dolls Play Set (55+ pcs) https://a.co/d/1uUvYPp

Reusable stickers:

Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad: Habitats - 150+ Reusable Stickers 7 Ounces https://a.co/d/4ncN9ww

Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad: Vehicles - 165+ Reusable Stickers https://a.co/d/0OyddFn

Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad: Dress-Up - 165+ Reusable Stickers https://a.co/d/haanuOt


SLP TIPS: How do I help my kiddos as a busy mom?

As an SLP this is a question I get asked quite often. As a working mom of two (who receive therapy services), I know how difficult and overwhelming it can be to drop the kids off at school, go to work, leave work, take the kids to therapy, cook dinner, get the kids to bed, and get myself to bed. Then, the kids’ therapists give us homework?! I want to help my kids, but I don’t have the time to sit down a few times a week to work on their therapy goals. I like quick, on-the-go practice. Games we can play in the car are my favorite types of activities! 

Play Simon Says (to work on following directions)

Play I Spy (to work on expanding vocabulary)

Sing Nursery Rhymes (to work on vocabulary for younger kiddos)

Have your kiddo find things they see that start with their error sounds (to work on articulation)

Play Categories (to work on groups/vocabulary)

Talk about what you are doing (stop, go, etc. to work on action words)

Describe things you see/what you’re doing (to work on adjectives i.e., fast, slow, large)

Go to a park and have a scavenger hunt! (visuals for a fun scavenger hunt)

Danielle Morgan, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Article in the "Roswell City Lifestyle Magazine" this Month

Pick up your latest copy of Roswell City Lifestyle and check out the ad for North Paulding Speech Language Therapy, announcing the opening of our latest office in Roswell. We are thrilled to join the Roswell community and bring our services to families in need!

Every Child Deserves a Voice

Now Open!!! - New Clinic in Roswell GA

We are thrilled to announce our new clinic in Roswell GA is now open. We have an amazing staff of therapists ready to serve the needs of the community and are excited to meet new faces, helping them find their voice.

Please contact us directly at, 470-423-9477 or visit our website to fill out our intake paperwork to get started with service.

Website - northpauldingslp.com

Intake Paperwork - North Paulding SLT Intake

Roswell location - 1160 Grimes Bridge Rd, Roswell GA 30075

Ribbon Cutting

Roswell Expansion!!!

North Paulding Speech Language Therapy now has a new clinic located in Roswell GA. We are thrilled to bring our services to the Fulton County area and are beyond excited to meet all the new kiddos. Please stop by and see our new facility and see if we can help with your needs.

New Clilic Address:

1160 Grimes Bride Rd

Roswell GA 30075