Literacy-based therapy is one of the most effective therapeutic methods for building communication, language, and literacy skills. Speech-language pathologists can incorporate these children’s holiday and winter-themed books to assist children in practicing articulation techniques and language skills to promote increased listening comprehension, oral language, semantic knowledge/usage, and syntactic knowledge/usage. Many children are excited during the holiday season and anticipate Christmas, Hanukkah, and spending time with their family and friends. December is an excellent time to discuss th ..read more

A communication or speech/language disorder can impact a child’s form, content, or use of language. The speech/language disorder may contribute to articulation/phonological errors or language processing weaknesses with: phonology, morphology, syntax (language form) semantics, supralinguistics (language content) pragmatics (language use) A speech/language difference occurs when a child is able to speak another language that is different from the language used for instruction and sometimes the greater population in the area. The differences are due to communication influenced by the primary lang ..read more

Children and adolescents can learn strategies to improve their language & literacy skills. They can make gains in academic and linguistic abilities when they practice their strategies during speech/language therapy sessions, the classroom, and at home. Speech/language pathologists, teachers, and parents can guide them through applying metalinguistic, visualization, and memory strategies to succeed across school curriculum areas such as language arts, science, social studies, and math. Metalinguistics is an individual’s ability to actively think about, talk about, and analyze language. Thes ..read more

Effective language and literacy skills are the foundation for successful communication, academic, and life skills. Therefore, it is important to understand the connection between phonology, morphology, syntax, and orthography. Children and adolescents with excellent linguistic skills readily learn various tasks in these language domains. However, those with language disorders, learning disability, and dyslexia will struggle immensely with these areas. Phonology is the study of phonemes or sounds and their patterns. This is a pre-requisite skill to develop literacy skills. It is part of languag ..read more

It is imperative that children with language disorders and language-based learning disabilities are identified at an early age. Speech/language pathologists are skilled at identifying receptive and expressive language disorders across the lifespan. Children can start receiving speech/language therapy as a toddler if their comprehension and oral language skills are not age-appropriate. Services can continue through the preschool and school aged years as needed to build essential communication, language, and literacy skills. Speech/language pathologists participate in special education eligibili ..read more

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that is characterized by deficits in understanding and using the phonological system for literacy. Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other speech and language skills such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words. Dyslexia affects individuals throughout their lives; however, its impact can change at different stages in a person’s life. It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia impacts the way a person’s brain processes information and subsequently can make it very difficult for a student to succeed a ..read more

It is well within the scope of practice for speech language pathologists to address all domains of literacy. Speech language pathologists can address both oral language (listening/speaking) and printed language (reading/writing). The literacy domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are all related to one another. It is important to incorporate all areas during language therapy sessions. During language therapy, speech language pathologists can address these four areas when working on vocabulary and comprehension goals. For example, if a student with a language disorder is practici ..read more

Speech language pathologists can maximize the success of children with communication, language, and literacy disorders by taking a holistic approach to the delivery of speech/language assessment and therapy services. By focusing on a child’s development that encompasses their communication, language, literacy, social-emotional, physical, and functional life skills, clinicians can truly make a difference in the lives of children and families. Pediatric speech language pathologists can provide services in a child’s natural environment where they spend a large portion of their days such as school ..read more

Children, teenagers, and young adults need social-emotional skills to be successful at school, home, and for their lives. These are the skills that help kids build confidence, understand their own strengths and weaknesses, collaborate with others, navigate social situations, develop strong relationships, and make better decisions. These are critical skills for all learners. Some activities to integrate in speech language therapy and/or at home: Journaling Many prompt questions can be used to help the child journal their feelings. This activity can be cotreated with an occupational therapist ..read more

The mission of Anderson Multicultural Books LLC is for children and families around the world to develop a love for literacy and an appreciation for individuals from diverse cultures. Communities are enriched by preserving, embracing, and encouraging cultural diversity. It is the co-existence of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious groups within a society. Multiculturalism enriches communities rather than a belief in a dominant culture. Anderson Multicultural Books also honors and supports linguistic diversity. Many individuals around the world are bilingual and multilingual. Most families ..read more