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We live in a world of screens; whether it be an iPhone, iPad, television, video game, or computer, it seems like there’s always something for children to stare at.  While I always love and encourage the use of new technology, we should be aware of the effects this has on our new generation, especially on their speech, language, and feeding

What are phonological processes? Phonological Processes are patterns of sounds that typically developing children use to simplify speech as they are learning to talk. A phonological disorder occurs when the phonological processes persist beyond the age when most typically developing children stop using them or when the processes are used abnormally (or differently than expected). Why do children have phonological

What is Pragmatic speech? Definition: Pragmatic speech is language used to communicate and socialize. It involves three major areas. Using language for a variety of functions such as: greeting (i.e. hello, goodbye), requesting (i.e. I would like a book), demanding (i.e. give me a book), and informing (i.e. this book is about a dog). Changing Language: This aspect of pragmatics

What is a Lisp? This term usually refers to difficulty making the /s/ and /z/ sounds due to incorrect placement of the tongue. The tongue may be sticking out too far between the front teeth, or the sides of the mouth may not be tense or high enough to produce the sound. Both of these errors create a distortion of

Why is Pointing so Important? 1. It Makes Us Look What They’re Pointing At When a toddler points at something it is your first reaction to look at what they are pointing at. This is called initiation of joint attention. Joint attention is an early-developing social-communicative skill in which two people (usually a young child and an adult) use gestures and

  What is selective Mutism? This is a disorder in which children completely avoid speaking in certain situations (e.g. school). What are the Signs & Symptoms of Selective Mutism? The problem usually starts between 2 to 3 years of age although help is often sought out around 5 to 6 years of age. According to Dr. Kurtz, “ the lag

With all the snow and cold weather upon us in the start of February, I thought it would be a good idea to post some toys that are useful in promoting speech and language right at home: Nesting/Stacking toys: These toys are very useful for infants and toddlers. Not only do these toys last a long time but children are

What is Echolalia? Echolalia, if you aren’t familiar with the term, is when an individual repeats what he/she has heard. It is often associated with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). There are two types of echolalia: immediate and delayed. Immediate echolalia is when the child repeats what you just said or what he/she just heard. Delayed echolalia is when the child repeated

What are the benefits of breastfeeding as compared to bottle-feeding? Studies are mixed on whether breastfeeding can give your baby a true advantage (when compared with bottle-feeding) in developing speech and language skills, but breastfeeding does naturally strengthen the tongue, lips, and jaw in a way that promotes speech and language readiness. An increased duration of breastfeeding is associated with