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It is well recognized that hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, and learning. Children with listening difficulties due to hearing loss or auditory processing problems continue to be an underidentified and underserved population. The earlier hearing loss occurs in a child’s life, the more serious the effects on the child’s development. Similarly, the earlier the problem is

What are orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD)? With OMD, the tongue moves forward in an exaggerated way during speech and/or swallowing. The tongue may lie too far forward during rest or may protrude between the upper and lower teeth during speech and swallowing, and at rest. What are some signs or symptoms of OMD? Although a “tongue thrust” swallow is normal

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Stuttering Foundation Team Up to Spread the Word  (Rockville, MD – May 7, 2012) The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Stuttering Foundation are working together during National Stuttering Awareness Week (May 7–13) to raise awareness with parents and other caregivers about the warning signs of stuttering and the need for early intervention for

Hi All! My name is Terri and I will be taking over the blog for the next month.  I recently graduated with my Masters of Science from Adelphi University in Communication Sciences and Disorders.  My externship experience includes work at a skilled nursing facility, elementary school, and the Head Injury Association.  Suffolk Speech and Myofunctional Therapy is a dedicated organization

Lots of clients come in and wonder why speech pathologists care when a child stopped using a bottle, stopped breast feeding, stopped using a pacifier and other oral centered behaviors. Prolonged breast/bottle feeding perpetuates the anterior motion of the tongue within the oral cavity and can influence oral facial muscle imbalance, adversely affecting feeding and swallowing skills as well as expressive

Oral Motor exercises are designed to increase the strength, coordination, and range of motion of the muscles we use for feeding and speaking. But how? Oral motor exercises strengthen the muscles of the lips, tongue, and jaw through mass practice. Super Duper Publications provided a great list of at home oral motor exercises. http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/179_Oral-MotorWorkout.pdf LIPS ο Open and close your

Practice is one of the most important parts of speech therapy! As speech pathologists we only get to see a child or adult once or twice per week (sometimes more but it is rare). What about the rest of the time? Practicing outside of the therapy room is crucial for progress and success. Here are some great practice ideas: practice

This week ” The Story of Luke” is released in a limited amount of theaters. It isn’t like the rest of the summer blockbuster movies people are dying to see…but maybe it should be. The story follows Luke, a 25 year old man with Autism whose life is turned upside down after his long term caregiver (his grandma) passes away.

I came across this story on Facebook and had to share it! This is from Carly Fleischmann’s Facebook page. Carly is a non verbal teenager with Autism.  Below is her response to a newspaper article written about her and an introduction from her Facebook page. So guess the cat is out of the bag! I CARLY FLEISCHMANN someone who is