Speech therapy is a personalized approach to improving communication skills, particularly for those with conditions like autism, articulation disorder, stuttering, etc. Learn about evidence-based interventions and developmental milestones.

<h1>The Power of Play in Child Development</h1>Play is the language of childhood. Watching children play may seem like a simple daily occurrence, but there is more happening in this activity than meets the eye. Play is a crucial component of healthy child development, serving as a cornerstone for learning, social interaction, and mental growth. In this blog post, we delve into the psychology of play and explore how it profoundly influences the development in children.<h2>Cognitive Development Through Play</h2>Cognitive development refers to how children think, explore, and figure things out. It is the emergence of the ability to understand and interact with the world. Play and cognitive development are intertwined, with each play session acting as a small but significant classroom lesson.<h3>Exploration and Discovery</h3>From the moment a baby shakes a rattle to a toddler building a tower of blocks, children are learning about cause and effect, spatial relationships, and problem-solving. These activities are not just for entertainment; they are the groundwork of scientific thinking. Through play, children test hypotheses, learn to predict outcomes, and understand the concept of trial and error.<h3>Language Skills</h3>When children engage in play, particularly social play that involves other children or adults, they develop language skills. They learn to communicate their thoughts, negotiate roles, explain rules, and articulate challenges. This rich language environment promotes vocabulary development and narrative skills, which are essential for literacy.<h3>Mathematical Thinking</h3>Believe it or not, play is filled with opportunities to develop mathematical understanding. When a child sorts toys by color or size, creates patterns with building blocks, or divides food equally among dolls, they are engaging in the foundations of mathematical learning. These activities help children recognize numbers, understand quantity, and develop spatial awareness.<h2>Social Development Through Play</h2>Social development is about learning the values, knowledge, and skills that enable children to relate to others effectively and to contribute positively to family, school, and the community.<h3>Cooperation and Sharing</h3>Play often involves multiple participants, which naturally introduces concepts like taking turns, sharing, and cooperating. Through these interactions, children learn to understand others' perspectives, to negotiate, and to resolve conflicts. These are critical social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.<h3>Emotional Intelligence</h3>Play provides a safe space for children to express their emotions and learn to manage them. Pretend play, in particular, allows children to step into different roles, which can help them understand and empathize with others' feelings. This kind of emotional play helps children to develop empathy and emotional regulation.<h3>Social Norms and Roles</h3>Through play, children learn about societal roles and norms. Pretend play often mimics adult behaviors and roles seen in society. By engaging in these roles, children learn about cultural expectations and the functioning of their community.<h2>The Role of Adults in Children's Play</h2>While play is often child-led and spontaneous, adults have a crucial role in facilitating and supporting play. Parents, caregivers, and educators can enhance play's developmental benefits by:<ul><li>Providing a safe and stimulating environment for play.</li><li>Offering a variety of play materials that encourage exploration and imagination.</li><li>Engaging with children during play without dominating, to promote language and social skills.</li><li>Observing children's play to understand their developmental stage and interests.</li></ul><h3>Nurturing Creativity</h3>In addition to cognitive and social benefits, play is a breeding ground for creativity. When children engage in free play, they use their imagination to create scenarios, characters, and entire worlds. This kind of imaginative play fosters divergent thinking, a component of creativity that involves generating unique solutions and ideas. As children grow, this creativity is not just limited to artistic endeavors but extends to problem-solving and innovation in various fields.<h3>Physical Development</h3>While the focus here is on cognitive and social development, it's important to acknowledge that play often has a physical component that is equally beneficial. Running, jumping, climbing, and other forms of active play are not only fun but also crucial for developing motor skills, coordination, and overall physical health. This physical aspect of play can also reinforce cognitive and social skills, as children navigate spaces and learn to play within groups.Play is often seen as a break from learning, but for children, play is learning. As they engage in imaginative scenarios and physical activities, they're not just having fun—they're developing crucial cognitive and social skills that will serve them throughout their lives.From Synopsis Team

The Power of Play in Child Development

<h1>Guide to Proper Evaluation Reports in Therapy</h1>An evaluation report is a vital component of the assessment and treatment planning process in occupational therapy and speech therapy. It serves as a documentation of the client's initial condition, goals, and treatment recommendations. Writing a thorough and well-structured evaluation report is essential for effective communication among healthcare professionals and ensuring high-quality care. In this guide, we will walk you through the key steps to write a proper therapy evaluation report, applicable to both occupational therapy and speech therapy.<ol><li>Understand the Purpose: Before diving into the evaluation report, it's important to understand its purpose. The report serves as a record of the client's functional abilities, limitations, and specific needs related to daily activities, communication, and participation. It should provide a clear and accurate snapshot of the client's current situation to guide treatment planning and future interventions.</li><li>Gather Relevant Information: Start by gathering all the necessary information for the evaluation report. This includes the client's medical history, referral details, initial assessment forms, and any relevant test results. Additionally, conduct a comprehensive therapy evaluation using standardized assessments, interviews, observations, and client self-reporting tools to gather data on the client's physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and communication functioning.</li><li>Organize the Report: A well-organized report ensures that information is presented in a logical and structured manner. Begin with an introduction that includes the client's basic details, referral source, and reason for the evaluation. Divide the report into sections, such as background information, assessment findings, analysis, recommendations, and goals. Use clear headings and subheadings to guide the reader through the report seamlessly.</li><li>Provide Background Information: In this section, provide relevant background information about the client, including their age, gender, diagnosis, and relevant medical history. Summarize the client's presenting issues, concerns, and reasons for seeking therapy services. Include information about their support system, living environment, and any previous therapy interventions.</li><li>Present Assessment Findings: Detail the results of the therapy assessment. Include objective data, such as assessment scores, observations, and measurements, as well as subjective information gathered from interviews or self-reporting tools. Be specific and concise in describing the client's strengths, limitations, and functional abilities related to activities of daily living (ADLs), communication skills, and any relevant therapy domains.</li><li>Analyze Assessment Findings: In this section, provide an analysis and interpretation of the assessment findings. Connect the dots between the client's functional abilities, limitations, and their impact on daily life and communication. Identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. Use clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to support your analysis.</li><li>Formulate Recommendations: Based on the assessment findings and analysis, formulate clear and actionable recommendations for therapy intervention. Provide specific strategies, treatment modalities, and adaptive equipment or communication aids suggestions that will help address the client's identified needs and promote functional independence and improved communication. Include any modifications or environmental adaptations that may enhance the client's performance.</li><li>Establish Goals: Set realistic and measurable goals that align with the client's needs and priorities. Ensure that goals are client-centered, functional, and time-bound. Break them down into short-term and long-term objectives that are relevant to the client's specific challenges and aspirations. Goals should be easily understood by other healthcare professionals and be revisited periodically for progress monitoring.</li><li>Summarize and Conclude: End the evaluation report with a concise summary of the key points discussed. Emphasize the client's strengths, areas of concern, and recommended interventions for both occupational therapy and speech therapy. Conclude with a professional and optimistic tone, expressing your willingness to collaborate with other healthcare professionals and support the client's ongoing therapy journey.</li><li>Proofread: After completing the initial draft of the evaluation report, dedicate time to proofreading and editing. Review the report for grammar and spelling errors, ensure clarity and coherence, check formatting and structure, verify the accuracy of information, and seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors to ensure a polished and accurate evaluation report.</li></ol>Remember, the evaluation report is a crucial document that contributes to effective therapy interventions and communication among healthcare professionals. Taking the time to write a comprehensive and well-structured report will support the client's progress and optimize their therapy outcomes.From the Synopsis Team

Guide to Proper Evaluation Reports in Therapy

<h1>Enhancing Communication in Autism</h1>Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects communication skills in individuals. Speech therapy plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals with autism to enhance their communication abilities and improve overall quality of life. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of setting goals in speech therapy for individuals with autism and discuss effective intervention strategies that therapists employ to facilitate meaningful progress.Understanding Autism and Communication ChallengesAutism presents a unique set of challenges that impact social interaction, language development, and sensory processing. Individuals with autism may struggle with nonverbal communication, understanding social cues, expressing their needs, and engaging in meaningful conversations. These communication difficulties can significantly hinder their ability to connect with others and navigate daily life.Setting Goals in Speech Therapy for AutismGoal setting is a fundamental aspect of speech therapy for individuals with autism. It involves collaboratively establishing specific and measurable objectives to guide the therapeutic process. Here are key considerations when setting goals:<ol><li>Individualized Approach</li></ol>Recognize that each person with autism has unique communication strengths and challenges. Tailor goals to their specific needs, focusing on their areas of growth and functional communication targets.<ol start="2"><li>Long-Term and Short-Term Goals</li></ol>Develop a comprehensive plan that includes both long-term objectives, which reflect broader communication milestones, and short-term objectives, which break down the goals into manageable steps.<ol start="3"><li>Functional and Meaningful Objectives</li></ol>Prioritize goals that have practical applications in real-life situations, enabling individuals with autism to communicate effectively in various contexts, such as at home, school, and the community.<ol start="4"><li>Communication Domains</li></ol>Address different communication domains, including speech production, receptive and expressive language, pragmatic language skills (e.g., turn-taking, maintaining eye contact), and social interaction.Effective Intervention Strategies in Speech Therapy for AutismSpeech therapists utilize evidence-based strategies to support individuals with autism in achieving their communication goals. Here are some effective intervention approaches:<ul><li>Visual Supports and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Visual aids, such as visual schedules (TEACCH), social stories, and picture exchange communication systems, such as PECS, can enhance understanding and facilitate expressive communication.</li><li>Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Techniques: ABA principles are often integrated into speech therapy to reinforce positive behaviors, teach new skills, and promote generalization of communication abilities.</li><li>Structured and Naturalistic Language Intervention: A combination of structured activities and naturalistic play-based interactions helps develop language skills, encourage spontaneous communication, and foster social engagement.</li><li>Social Communication Training: Targeting social skills and pragmatic language, therapy sessions focus on developing turn-taking, initiating and maintaining conversations, interpreting nonverbal cues, and perspective-taking.</li><li>Parent and Caregiver Involvement: Collaboration with parents and caregivers is vital for generalization of skills beyond therapy sessions. Training and support are provided to extend speech therapy techniques into everyday routines and activities.</li></ul>Speech therapy plays a vital role in empowering individuals with autism to improve their communication abilities. By setting individualized goals and employing evidence-based intervention strategies, speech therapists help individuals with autism unlock their communication potential, fostering connections and meaningful participation in their communities. Through consistent support and collaboration with families, speech therapy can make a profound impact on the lives of individuals with autism, enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential.From the Synopsis Team

Enhancing Communication in Autism

<h1>Articulation Disorder and Treatment</h1>As a speech therapist, you may have encountered clients with articulation disorders. These are speech disorders that affect a person's ability to produce speech sounds correctly, leading to difficulties in being understood by others. In this article, we will delve deeper into what articulation disorder is, the symptoms, and the various treatment options that can help your clients improve their speech.What is Articulation Disorder?Articulation disorder is a type of speech disorder that affects a person's ability to produce specific speech sounds correctly. This can result in difficulties in being understood by others, leading to frustration and social isolation. The disorder can occur at any age, but it is most common in children. It is estimated that around 8% of children have articulation disorders.What are the symptoms of articulation disorder?A child with a speech disorder may have one or more of these signs and symptoms:<ol><li>Addition: Adding sounds or syllables to words that don’t belong there (for example, “puh-lay” instead of “play”).</li><li>Distortion: Changing a sound, which might seem like a lisp (when “s” sounds like “th”).</li><li>Omission: Leaving certain sounds out of their speech altogether (for example, never using “sc” in “school or “scratch”).</li><li>Substitution: Always substituting one sound for another (for example, using “s” instead of “th” or “w” in place of “r”).</li></ol>Treatment Options for Articulation DisorderThere are various treatment options available for individuals with articulation disorder. As a speech therapist, it is important to tailor the treatment plan to the individual's specific needs and goals. Here are some of the most common treatment options:<ul><li>Articulation Therapy</li></ul>Articulation therapy involves working with the individual to identify specific speech sounds that are difficult for them to produce and developing exercises to help them improve their pronunciation. This can involve techniques such as using mirrors to help the individual see their mouth movements, practicing specific sounds in isolation, and gradually incorporating the sounds into words and sentences.<ul><li>Oral Motor Therapy</li></ul>Oral motor therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles used in speech production. The speech therapist will work with the individual to develop exercises to improve their tongue and mouth movements, making it easier for them to produce speech sounds accurately. Examples of exercises can include blowing bubbles, using straws to drink liquids, and practicing tongue movements.<ul><li>Language Therapy</li></ul>Language therapy is another approach to treating articulation disorder that can be beneficial for some individuals. This type of therapy focuses on improving the individual's overall language skills, including vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. Improving these skills can enhance the individual's ability to communicate effectively, making it easier for them to be understood by others.<blockquote>Articulation disorder is a common speech disorder that affects many individuals, particularly children. As a speech therapist, it is important to be able to identify and diagnose different symptoms of articulation disorders. Treatment options can include articulation therapy, oral motor therapy, and language therapy. By tailoring the treatment plan to the individual's specific needs and goals, you can help your clients improve their speech and communication skills, leading to better quality of life and social interactions.</blockquote>From the Synopsis Team

Articulation Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment 

<h1>Stuttering</h1>Core symptomsWe all have times when we do not speak smoothly. We may add "uh" or "you know" to what we say. Or, we may say a sound or word more than once. These are called disfluencies.People who stutter may have more disfluencies and different types of disfluencies. They may repeat parts of words (repetitions), stretch a sound out for a long time (prolongations), or have a hard time getting a word out (blocks).The following types of disfluencies happen when someone stutters:<ul><li>Part-word repetitions – "I wa-wa-wa-want a cookie."</li><li>One-syllable word repetitions – “My-my-my name is.”</li><li>Prolonged sounds – “Fffffffrank is nice."</li><li>Blocks or stops – "I want a (pause)&nbsp;glass of water."</li></ul><blockquote>These core symptoms can vary in frequency and severity and the individual's situation and personal condition.</blockquote>Accompanying symptomsMany people who stutter develop accompanying symptoms. They can be visible, for example tension of the facial muscles or body movements. Invisible are accompanying symptoms such as fear of speaking or the avoidance and concealment of stuttering. Words are exchanged at lightning speed, filler words are used or speaking situations are generally avoided.Accompanying symptoms can be extremely stressful for people who stutter in everyday life, become more severe and lead to social withdrawal.Why does one stutter?Speaking itself is a highly complex process. Our brain must receive and process a multitude of impulses in order for the speech process to work. Some of these processes are impaired in people who stutter. The area of the brain responsible for controlling the speech muscles is not supplied without interference by the other areas involved. Thus, the preparation for the upcoming speech task fails - the person stutters.According to current knowledge, the main cause of stuttering is seen in an inherited predisposition to it, which does not necessarily, but with a high probability, lead to the occurrence of stuttering. Stuttering is therefore a neurologically caused disturbance of the flow of speech. It does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the intelligence, character or origin of the person affected.According to the NIDCD, stuttering affects people of all ages. It occurs most often in children between the ages of 2 and 6 as they are developing their language skills. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of all children will stutter for some period in their life, lasting from a few weeks to several years. Boys are 2 to 3 times as likely to stutter as girls and as they get older this gender difference increases; the number of boys who continue to stutter is 3 to 4 times larger than the number of girls.TreatmentSpeech TherapyAfter a comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist, a decision about the best treatment approach can be made. Several different approaches are available to treat children and adults who stutter.Basically, there are two different therapy approaches used by speech therapists: Stuttering Modification on the one hand, and Fluency Shaping on the other. Both therapy programs last several weeks and especially Fluency Shaping requires intensive practice of the new speech patterns, as well as regular sessions after the end of therapy in order to avoid relapses.<ol><li>Stuttering Modification/Non-Avoidance Approach:</li></ol>Stuttering modification is not about trying to avoid stuttering, but learning how to deal with it better. The therapy approach is divided into 4 phases:<ul><li>Phase 1- Identification: the person who stutters observes when stuttering events occur and how they feel about them.</li><li>Phase 2- Desensitization: Stuttering is intentionally observed in order to reduce negative feelings about stuttering by becoming accustomed to it and to notice during practical exercises that the listeners usually react very tolerantly to stuttering.</li><li>Phase 3- Modification: Techniques are learned to make stuttering more fluent - pauses are inserted, stuttered words are repeated slowly or are pronounced more slowly in the first place.</li><li>Phase 4- Stabilization: Finally, the fluent stuttering and the more relaxed way of dealing with it are stabilized and adopted into everyday life.</li></ul><ol start="2"><li>Fluency Shaping:</li></ol>Fluency shaping is the systematic development of a fluent way of speaking. The main focus of fluency shaping intervention is to increase fluent speech through teaching, for example, one or more of the following: easy onsets, loose contacts, changing breathing, prolonging sounds or words, pausing, as well as other methods that reduce speaking rate. The overall goal is to encourage spontaneous fluency where possible and controlled fluency when it is not.<blockquote>Through Synopsis app the speech therapist can find very quickly fluency goals, in order to plan her therapy treatment in a more efficient way.</blockquote>Cognitive Behavioual Therapy: This type of psychotherapy can help the person who stutters learn to identify and change ways of thinking that might make stuttering worse. It can also help resolve stress, anxiety or self-esteem problems related to stuttering.Electronic devices: Some people who stutter use electronic devices to help control fluency. For example, one type of device fits into the ear canal, much like a hearing aid, and digitally replays a slightly altered version of the wearer’s voice into the ear so that it sounds as if he or she is speaking in unison with another person. In some people, electronic devices may help improve fluency in a relatively short period of time. Additional research is needed to determine how long such effects may last and whether people are able to easily use and benefit from these devices in real-world situations. For these reasons, researchers are continuing to study the long-term effectiveness of these devices.<hr>There is no known cure for stuttering, and like any other speech disorder, it requires therapy and practice to treat or manage it.Approximately 75% of children recover from stuttering. For the remaining 25% who continue to stutter, stuttering can persist as a lifelong communication disorder.From the Synopsis Team

Stuttering

<h1>Treatments for Down Syndrome</h1>
What is Down Syndrome?
According to the CDC, Down Syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes determine how a baby’s body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down Syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21. A medical term for having an extra copy of a chromosome is ‘trisomy.’ That is why Down Syndrome is also referred to as Trisomy 21. This extra copy changes how the baby’s body and brain develop, which can cause both mental and physical challenge for the baby.
Even though people with Down Syndrome might act and look similar, each person has different abilities. People with Down Syndrome usually have an IQ (a measure of intelligence) in the mildly-to-moderately low range and are slower to speak than other children.
Some common physical features of Down Syndrome are a flattened face, almond-shaped eyes, short neck, small ears, hands and feet, poor muscle tone etc.
Causes
As mentioned by the NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society), the cause of the extra full or partial chromosome is still unknown.
Maternal age is the only factor that has been linked to an increased chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome. However, due to higher birth rates in younger women, 51% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.
The additional partial or full copy of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome can originate from either the father or the mother. Approximately 5% of the cases have been traced to the father.
There is also no definitive scientific research that indicates that Down Syndrome is caused by environmental factors or the parents’ activities before or during pregnancy.
Treatments
Down Syndrome is a lifelong condition. Although it can’t be cured, doctors know more about it now than ever. Services early in life will often help babies and children with Down Syndrome to improve their physical and intellectual abilities.
Most of these services focus on helping children with Down Syndrome develop to their full potential. These services include speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and they are typically offered through early intervention programs. Children with Down Syndrome may also need extra help or attention in school, although many children are included in regular classes.
Speech Therapy
The developmental differences of people with Down Syndrome can impact speech and language, for example:
<ul>
<li>Difficulties in articulation due to low facial muscle tone.</li>
<li>Harder to form sounds, because of a larger size of the tongue</li>
<li>Hearing impairments from frequent ear infections due to the presence of fluid in the ears.</li>
<li>Slower learning capabilities can delay speech milestones.</li>
</ul>
These differences lead to receptive language being stronger than expressive language. There are several preventative and proactive treatments that can be done early on to help bridge this gap.
Of course there is no hard-set protocol for the speech therapy of a child with Down Syndrome. Speech therapists need to alter these programs and accommodate the needs and skills of each child.
In general, the speech therapists aim to:
<ul>
<li>Improve oral motor skills</li>
<li>Develop eating and drinking skills</li>
<li>Develop emerging language skills</li>
<li>Improve and develop speech sounds</li>
<li>Use alternative and augmentative communication e.g. sign language and visual aids to support language learning.</li>
<li>Improve more complex speech disorders</li>
<li>Increase vocabulary</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
The primary goal of speech and language therapy for children with Down Syndrome is to maximise the individuals communication to their highest potential across their home, educational and social environments.
</blockquote>
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists play a key role within the multidisciplinary team for treatment of individuals with Down Syndrome. Occupational therapists are able to provide practical support and advice, enabling individuals with Down Syndrome to live more independent lives.Occupational therapists work with many different diagnoses and in different settings, such as in early intervention services or in the outpatient setting.
The type of interventions occupational therapists use will depend on the difficulties which are highlighted from an initial assessment. The intervention program will be tailored to suit the individual and their needs. Occupational therapy focus on the individual's ability to complete skills to enable independence. These skills include:
<ul>
<li>Self-care</li>
<li>Fine Motor</li>
<li>Gross Motor</li>
<li>Play and leisure</li>
<li>Feeding</li>
<li>Skills related to a school setting e.g. writing, cutting etc.</li>
<li>Sensory development and regulation</li>
</ul>
Occupational therapists can help individuals with Down Syndrome by breaking down tasks into smaller steps, and then teaching them how to complete each step by step task. Occupational therapists can also provide appropriate aids and adaptations to assist with the completion of skills. This may include advice on positioning during certain tasks e.g. specially adapted chairs to use at school, due to the low muscle tone (hypotonia).
<blockquote>
Individuals with low muscle tone may have a harder time processing proprioceptive input. Because of this decreased proprioceptive input, people with Down syndrome frequently need more input in order to grade the force of their movements.
</blockquote>
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is important during the early stages of the child’s development. Early physical therapy interventions for children with Down Syndrome can help to address any developmental problems and muscle weakness, whilst maximising function and their quality of life.
An initial assessment carried out by the physiotherapist will determine the type and severity of difficulties the individual is having with their motor skills and physical functioning. From the initial assessment the physiotherapist will implement an individualised treatment plan which will be tailored to the specific needs and abilities of the individuals.
Physical therapy can help individuals with Down Syndrome to:
<ul>
<li>Develop gross motor skills such as sitting, crawling and standing</li>
<li>Improve posture, balance, muscle strength</li>
<li>Improve gait</li>
<li>Improve joint range of movement</li>
<li>Improve independence in functional activities</li>
<li>Reduce the development of compensatory patterns</li>
<li>Decrease the risk of joint problems as they age</li>
<li>Increase endurance</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
It is important that physical therapy interventions for individuals with Down Syndrome also begin at an early age to help prevent secondary complications developing.
</blockquote>
<hr>
Many conditions in people with Down syndrome are manageable with treatment and therapies. Medical care, support and education help them throughout their lives. Like anyone else, people with Down syndrome go to school, work, have meaningful relationships and can lead healthy and active lives.
From the Synopsis Team

Treatments for Down Syndrome

<h1>Speech and language milestones</h1>Each child, even within the same family, has his or her own rate of language development. There are some variations in language abilities between children of the same age, but there are some basic developmental milestones.Below are the milestones from the age of 1 month to 5 years, as listed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Birth to 6 Months<ul><li>Quiets or smiles when you talk.</li><li>Seems to recognize your voice.</li><li>Quiets if crying.</li><li>Makes cooing sounds.</li><li>Cries change for different needs.</li><li>Smiles at people.</li><li>Moves her eyes in the direction of sounds.</li><li>Responds to changes in your tone of voice.</li><li>Notices toys that make sounds.</li><li>Pays attention to music.</li><li>Coos and babbles when playing alone or with you.</li><li>Makes speech-like babbling sounds, like pa, ba, and mi.</li><li>Makes sounds when happy or upset.</li></ul>7 Months to 1 Year<ul><li>Turns and looks in the direction of sounds.</li><li>Looks when you point.</li><li>Turns when you call her name.</li><li>Understands words for common items and people—words like cup, truck, juice, and daddy.</li><li>Starts to respond to simple words and phrases, like “No,” “Come here,” and “Want more?”</li><li>Plays games with you, like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.</li><li>Listens to songs and stories for a short time.</li><li>Babbles long strings of sounds, like mimi upup babababa.</li><li>Uses sounds and gestures to get and keep attention.</li><li>Points to objects and shows them to others.</li><li>Uses gestures like waving bye, reaching for “up,” and shaking his head no.</li><li>Imitates different speech sounds.</li><li>Says 1 or 2 words, like hi, dog, dada, mama, or uh-oh. This will happen around his first birthday, but sounds may not be clear.</li></ul>One to Two Years<ul><li>Points to a few body parts when you ask.</li><li>Follows 1-part directions, like "Roll the ball" or "Kiss the baby."</li><li>Responds to simple questions, like “Who’s that?” or “Where’s your shoe?”</li><li>Listens to simple stories, songs, and rhymes.</li><li>Points to pictures in a book when you name them.</li><li>Uses a lot of new words.</li><li>Uses p, b, m, h, and w in words.</li><li>Starts to name pictures in books.</li><li>Asks questions, like “What's that?”, “Who’s that?”, and “Where’s kitty?”</li><li>Puts 2 words together, like "more apple," "no bed," and "mommy book."</li></ul>Two to Three Years<ul><li>Understands opposites, like go–stop, big–little, and up–down.</li><li>Follows 2-part directions, like "Get the spoon and put it on the table."</li><li>Understands new words quickly.</li><li>Has a word for almost everything.</li><li>Talks about things that are not in the room.</li><li>Uses k, g, f, t, d, and n in words.</li><li>Uses words like in, on, and under.</li><li>Uses two- or three- words to talk about and ask for things.</li><li>People who know your child can understand him.</li><li>Asks “Why?”</li><li>Puts 3 words together to talk about things. May repeat some words and sounds.</li></ul>Three to Four Years<ul><li>Responds when you call from another room.</li><li>Understands words for some colors, shapes and family members</li><li>Answers simple who, what, and where questions.</li><li>Says rhyming words, like hat–cat.</li><li>Uses pronouns, like I, you, me, we, and they.</li><li>Uses some plural words, like toys, birds, and buses.</li><li>Most people understand what your child says.</li><li>Asks when and how questions.</li><li>Puts 4 words together. May make some mistakes, like “I goed to school.”</li><li>Talks about what happened during the day. Uses about 4 sentences at a time.</li></ul>Four to Five Years<ul><li>Understands words for order, like first, next, and last.</li><li>Understands words for time, like yesterday, today, and tomorrow.</li><li>Follows longer directions, like “Put your pajamas on, brush your teeth, and then pick out a book.”</li><li>Follows classroom directions, like “Draw a circle on your paper around something you eat.”</li><li>Hears and understands most of what she hears at home and in school.</li><li>Says all speech sounds in words. May make mistakes on sounds that are harder to say, like l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th.</li><li>Responds to “What did you say?”</li><li>Talks without repeating sounds or words most of the time.</li><li>Names letters and numbers.</li><li>Uses sentences that have more than 1 action word, like jump, play, and get. May make some mistakes, like “Zach gots 2 video games, but I got one.”</li><li>Tells a short story.</li><li>Keeps a conversation going.</li><li>Talks in different ways, depending on the listener and place. Your child may use short sentences with younger children. He may talk louder outside than inside.</li></ul>These stages are indicative, but they are an important guide that speech and language therapists should necessarily be aware of.Knowledge of these stages is essential for proper assessment and information for parents.From the Synopsis Team

Speech and language milestones

<h1>Ideas for a fun speech therapy session</h1>No matter how good a person is at their job, sometimes they feel they need a refreshment, something different and fun. Routine is a problem in our daily work, especially when working with young children, who get bored easily. So here are several ideas that can be incorporated into a speech therapy session and will change the mood of young and old alike.MotionAll children love to move! Through movement, they discover and learn new things faster while strengthening skills such as vocabulary, articulation, following directions, categories, etc.<ul><li>Yoga. The child can also for as long as he maintains the pose, say 5 words that you have asked him. In addition, he will practice body awareness and right-left perception.</li></ul><img src="https://assets.synopsisapp.com/production/admin/files/ideas-for-a-fun-speech-therapy-session-girl-doing-animal-pose-yoga.jpeg?updatedAt=1704026658968"><ul><li>Outdoor space: go outside in a yard or go to the nearest playground. The child can do slide, swing, hopscotch, race. Ask the child to describe the toys, how they are played or just work with colors and materials. You can also reinforce social skills by having the child talk with other children on the playground. In addition, you will be able to work on spatial concepts and sizes.</li><li>Ball: you can throw the ball to each other and say words that start with a specific letter or words of a specific category, e.g. fruit. You can also have the child throw the ball 5 times at a target or into a basket each time they hit one of your targets.</li></ul>Board gamesA board game, in addition to being a recreational tool, can also be a good therapeutic tool. You can change the rules or use them as they are. Board games also help to strengthen vocabulary and memory, find solutions to everyday situations, improve articulation and phonology, etc. For example, the classic Snakes and Ladders can be adapted and players in order to progress should produce the words or phonemes, present in the squares. Build your own Snakes and Ladders board game according to the child's needs.<img src="https://assets.synopsisapp.com/production/admin/files/ideas-for-a-fun-speech-therapy-session-board-games.jpeg?updatedAt=1704027246562">Thematic gamesThe child comes to the session and sings you Elsa's song or shows you his favorite Spiderman shirt. Take advantage of it! Children "get hooked" on certain heroes and children's toys and only want to engage with them. Draw their hero/heroine, sing the songs of the animation movie, describe pictures of the hero, say vocabulary related to the animation, use symbolic play related to the plot of the animation.CraftsTake out from the cupboard cardboard, glue, scissors, glitter, tongue depressors, finger paints and pom poms. Crafts are also a creative and fun way to practice and reinforce skills such as following directions, memory, staying on task-concentration, using vocabulary (tools), learning numbers, quantities, letters, etc.<img src="https://assets.synopsisapp.com/production/admin/files/ideas-for-a-fun-speech-therapy-session-kids-doing-crafts.jpeg?updatedAt=1704027515893">The addition of such activities to the speech therapy intervention program certainly strengthens the therapeutic relationship between the child and the therapist. This makes the child more cooperative and willing to work and do exercises that he or she might not do otherwise. It is also important to remember that children always learn best when they are playing.From the Synopsis team

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