Summertime, and the Living Is Easy Breezy!

I'm not a big Alice Cooper fan, but he and I do agree- when school is out, it's worth singing about!  

Bring on the good times! 

Friday was the first official day of summer vacation and the guys were ready for some fun.  The conversation went something like this:

What are we going to do this summer, Mom? 
I don't know. What do you want to do?
We don't know.
Well, why don't you two go make a list of all of the things we can do this summer. Come back later and let me see what you came up with.

Off they went.

When they came back, they presented this list:

• baseball camp
• movies 
• beach
• sleep overs
• travel/ visit grandparents
• Schlitterbahn
• stay up late

Doesn't look like it's going to be too difficult to keep them entertained this summer, does it?

Since we all know that summer vacation doesn't really exist for most grown ups, I decided I had some planning to do too- I needed to map out my plan for the weekend. It could be the last chance I have to get things in order around the house for a while. Knowing that, I grabbed my legal pad and started writing.  This is the actual list of what I planned to do:

• check mail
• pay bills
• check bank accounts
• file papers
• purchase graduation gifts (x5) 
• write blog for 06/08/15
• return pajamas to Dillard's
• exercise (x2)

With my list complete, I moved on, feeling confident:  I am going to accomplish 8 things this weekend. I can do this!

Well, remember the old saying about the best laid plans for mice and men? Yup, that was me...my plans went awry.

John Steinbeck should have written about the best laid plans for mice, men and women who make lists of things to do.

Anyway... 

Here is a list of what I actually did:

• went to a pool party at the neighbor's house- a great way to kick off the summer!

• went to Coby's baseball game- they lost, but I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard (PS:  next time you see me, but sure to ask to hear the story and/or see the picture of  Dirty Mike- it's sure to give you a good laugh too)

• packed the family up for a trip to the beach-  we took every beach related item we owned and had so much fun we decided to stay till almost 1 in the morning; my crafty husband even built us a bonfire as the sun was going down; we watched a beautiful moon rise as we sat under the stars and marveled at the universe- glorious!

• attended online church (by myself) while I folded 5 baskets of clean laundry (by myself)- it was the low point of the weekend 

• baked a big batch chocolate chip cookies- delicious!

• went to a baseball team party for Mike and Jay- I actually had a great time!

• watched 8 innings of an LSU baseball game- we won!

• took the dog for a walk- enjoyed the cotton candy colored sky as the sun set

• thought about writing an outline for the 06/08/15 blog- but ate a mango popsicle instead

In the end, I did not do a single thing on my list, and  believe me, under ordinary circumstances, this would be major source of frustration, aggravation and disappointment. But, not this weekend, it's summertime and I'm going to do like Jack Johnson- I'm going to move like a jellyfish and go with the flow.

This week, as you go about your work, try to be just a little more relaxed in your approach to life, and take some time to enjoy all that the summer has to offer.

Remember: the tan may fade, but the memories of an easy breezy summer will last forever.

In the meantime, I'm headed to Padre Island...I'll save you a seat!

Thanks for reading...have a great week!

Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air.  
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome to the Real World! 10 Tips for New Grads

June is a very busy time of year for so many. Which category do you belong to?

A.  Last day of school is right around the corner- yay!
B.  Last day of school is right around the corner- oh my gosh, what now?
C. Graduation- moving on!
D. Summer school- keep going!
E.  Looking for a job- wish me luck!

It was about 21 years ago this month that I had a shiny new diploma from Texas Christian University: a Master of Science in Bilingual Speech Language Pathology. I was on top of the world!

Until....

My dad, the greatest father ever, informed me, "Melissa, effective July 1st, you are officially off the Lawson family payroll."

What?

That's right, the gravy train was leaving the station and in the next 30 days and I was expected to be on my own.  

Knowing that you can never let 'em see you sweat, I took a moment then shot back, "No problem, Dad!"

Long story short, I got to work, found a job, moved from Fort Worth to Houston, and by July 5th, was gainfully employed. Whew!

Over the years, I have learned a variety of very important lessons and I thought I would take a few minutes to share a top ten list of things every new graduate should know. Here goes...

Top 10 Things Every New Graduate Should Know

1.  You will look dumb:  You will learn more in the first 6 months on the job than you did in all 6 years of school. No questions, hands down, there is nothing better than OJT (on the job training). When you finally show up to take the real world by storm, be prepared, you will look dumb. It's happened to all of us. Just keep your chin up, keep on smiling and carry on. Eventually, you will get the hang of things. 


2.  You will never stop learning: The State Board of Examiners and ASHA will make sure of that you spend at least 10 hours each and every year learning something new. It is critical that you broaden your horizons to learn new concepts, diseases, disorders, techniques, equipment and/or interventions. You may not want to read another journal article for the next 100 years, but you must keep learning.


3. Become a specialist:  I recommend you consider a specialty and learn all that you can about one area. I chose dysphagia in the beginning as a means for pure survival. Then, I took every course possible on  documentation. Finally,  dementia was the name of my game. Along the way, I received special certification in accent reduction and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with Vital Stim. Currently, I thinking of a new certification in orofacial myology...sounds like fun, right? Whatever you decide:  focus, focus, focus.


4.  Use your resources:  Take your books to work and reference them without being ashamed. In addition to grad school texts on neurology, voice and swallow, I always have Mosby's Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary handy. I could not have survived in the hospital without my Medical Abbreviations Dictionary, and, over the years, I also found it helpful to have a thesaurus, a copy of The Pill Book and The Speech-Language Pathology Desk Reference. People will come to you with questions, and this way, you are sure to have the answers. 


5.  Get LinkedIn:  When you're first getting started, you will have a CFY supervisor to hold your hand. But, after that, I suggest you work to develop professional contacts. You can literally create a LinkedIn profile to commiserate with other SLPs, or you can join an ASHA Special Interest Group (SIG) and participate in some great forum discussions. What ever you choose, stay connected with other professionals.


6.  Join a professional organization:  While completely optional, and usually kind of pricey, it is a good idea to join a local, state and/or national professional organization. Membership does have its privileges, including: newsletters, journals, access to job postings, discounts on conference registration, etc. Besides the wonderful perks, it looks good on a resume. And speaking of resumes, 


7.  Keep your resume current:  You just never know what the future brings, so be prepared and have an up-to-date resume ready to go. There are tons of online resources to help you perfect the paper version of who you are. Once you have captured the essence of who you are and what you can do, be sure to make updates each year. 


8.  It's a small world after all:  It's not just the best ever ride at Disney World, it is very true...the (medical) community is much smaller than you realize. That said, be careful: don't burn any bridges. That annoying co-worker may someday be your boss- you never know. Take the high road each and every time...you'll be glad you did!


9.  Get it together: Success in the real world is heavily dependent upon a few important skills, namely organization and time management. Get organized and make the most of your time at work. Productivity is the name of the game, so strive to be the most efficient version of yourself possible. Have a plan, know the plan and work the plan!

10.  Build an arsenal:  Begin building a therapy tool box.  Include flashcards, workbooks, handouts, diagrams, etc. If you are technologically advanced purchase apps for your smart phone or iPad. A variety of treatment materials will benefit your patients from keep you from getting bored at work. 

If you have any other pieces of sage advice, let me know...I would love to hear from you! In the meantime, feel free to share these tips with anyone you may know who is moving on, moving up, or, as was the case with me, moving out.

Thanks for reading...have a great week!

Huh? What? Are You Talking to Me?

As the mother of 4 active children (ages 10, 12, 12 and 14), things in my house are never perfect and communication in my home is rarely optimal.  No matter how I try, we seem to be breaking all the rules for clear and effective communication.  

For example...

We talk to each other through closed doors, from one room to the next, with faces buried in pillows and with backs turned. We try to have conversations while taking showers, when the dishwasher is on and even while mowing the grass. Who does that? 

Just because you're watching tv, talking on the phone or intently staring directly at the screen of a computer, doesn't mean that you are unavailable for conversation. Nope, not at my house- we just keep on talking to each other.

Even if your body language is shouting, "Don't talk to me!", "I'm busy!" or "Leave me alone!"  my family just can't take no for an answer. In fact, we have conversations with people when they are having conversations with other people. It's terrible!

We talk to each other from upstairs to downstairs, from downstairs to upstairs and while going up and down the stairs. Oh brother!

We would never take the time to lower the noise of the TVs, radios or video games in order to have a conversation- we just talk louder. 

And with 3 of those 4 children now in braces, clear speech production is a thing of the past. With mouths full of brackets, rubber bands and the dreaded transpalatal appliance, it seems to me that everyone is mumbling. 

Huh? What? Are you talking to me?

Add to the mix a spouse who has a mild hearing loss in his left ear and it's a wonder we are able to exchange information with one another. In fact...

Communication breakdown occurs every single day! 

I didn't hear you say that. 
I didn't know what you were talking about. 
I didn't know you were talking to me.
I didn't understand a single word you just said.

What's a girl to do?

Well, I might not be able to keep it together at home, but at work, I've got answers!  I can help you solve even your toughest communication problems related to hearing loss. Here is a list of tips I regularly share with my patients and their family members so that they can communicate successfully.

Being that May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, I thought it would be the perfect time to share...

18 Tips for Maximizing Comprehension

During Conversational Exchange

1.  Shhhhh! Quiet: reduce or eliminate unnecessary noises- put the TV on mute, turn down the radio, ask the host/ hostess at a restaurant for a table in a quiet location

2.  Keep your hands away from you face: nearly all listeners are able to make some use of lip reading, besides, a hand in front of your mouth will muffle the sound of your voice- just don't do it

3. Make things clear: rapid rushes of speech are sure to lead to misunderstanding, or worse, communication breakdown; focus on clear, precise pronunciation

4.  Pay attention: prepare the listener for interaction by saying their name or touching their hand, arm or shoulder; establish good eye contact to make sure everyone is ready

5.  Get up close and personal:  it is best if communication partners are no more than 3-6 feet away from each other; move the furniture if necessary; no matter what, you should always be in the same room

6. Get on their good side:  if a "better ear" is known to exist, position yourself on that side whenever possible

7.  Keep an eye on things: maintain eye contact- this is a great conversational technique under any circumstance, but facing the person with hearing loss allows them to get important visual cues, like facial expressions, that can add vital information to the exchange

8.  Slow down: a slow, deliberate rate of speech with intermittent pauses increases understanding and allows extra processing time, it's a win-win solution

9.  Go deep:  lower the pitch of your voice a bit; persons with hearing loss typically have the greatest difficulty distinguishing high frequency sounds, making a woman's voice harder to comprehend; so ladies, do your part and drop it down a notch 

10. Rephrase rather than repeat: if a listener didn't understand the first or second time, it is likely they won't get the third time either; when repeating, it may be necessary to find a different way of saying what's on your mind

11. Flick the switch: a light, bright environment can actually increase comprehension as it allows listeners to clearly see your face, so check to make sure that there is good overhead lighting before sitting down to have a talk

12. Preferential seating: when going to a restaurant, ask for a table away from the kitchen, server stations or large parties; at a meeting, sit closest to the main speaker; in school or at church, sit on the front row

13.  Get acquainted: introduce the listener to the general topic of the conversation in advance to enhance comprehension; avoid sudden changes of topic

14.  Repeat it back:  when giving specific information to someone who is hearing impaired, have them repeat specifics back to you to make sure they understood

15. Put it in writing:  whenever possible, provide pertinent information, such  as directions, numbers, times, schedules or assignments, in writing

16. Pay attention:  a puzzled look on the face of your listener usually indicates misunderstanding; tactfully ask the hearing impaired person if they understood to make sure you get the message across

17. Take turns:  avoid interrupting other speakers so that messages can be shared in entirety and without confusion

18. Everything is worse when you are sick and tired:  recognize that everyone, especially a hearing impaired person, has a harder time hearing and understanding when ill, or in the the later part of the day


Whether you are using these strategies during a therapy session with a 96 year old patient or when talking to your grandpa, I think you will find this list to be comprehensive and very helpful. 

If you suspect you have a hearing loss, use these techniques to reduce your difficulties during interactions with others, and be sure to see an audiologist for a complete audiological assessment. 

As for me and my gang- we are a work in progress.  I'll keep you posted.

Have a great week...thanks for reading!




Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
Winston Churchill 

Spot the Signs of a Stroke- FAST

I am the last person in the world you want around in the event of emergency. I just never seem to know what to do. 

For instance...

When I was younger, my friend Catherine and I volunteered to wash the windows at our pastor's home. Standing on nothing but a narrow brick ledge, she scrubbed the large picture window in the front of the house.  All was going well until she lost her balance and fell backward into a hedge of  thorny holly bushes. There she was, sinking deep into the hedges, flat on her back and feet  up in the air.  It was a sight to see!  Covered in scratches and starting to bleed, she was screaming and crying, but attempts at pulling her out only brought her more pain and made me start cracking up laughing. All I could do was leave her there and run for help. 

A few years later, I was babysitting a bunch of kids- I think there were 6 altogether. I was personally responsible for 3 of the children and a few neighbors had come over to play. I was certainly out of my league in terms of crowd control, and it was becoming obvious that I was outnumbered by little people. They were running all around the house, jumping on the sofa, acting like kids,when I decided to take control. "Hey everybody, let's go outside!" 

Just as I was scooting the last one out the back door, the craziest thing happened:  one of the boys was impaled with a wire coat hanger. It was as if the thing jumped out of the clear blue sky and into the skin covering his knee cap. So gross! Like a fish hook, the curved part of the hanger went in at the bottom of his knee, it came back out at the top of his knee, so that, as he stood there, the hanger actually hung from his knee. I didn't even want to look at it more less try to remove it, and having no idea what to do, I left him there on the back steps with clear instructions not to move and ran for help.

Do you detect a trend here?

Over the years, there have been other emergencies where I was totally useless: the afternoon my mom got run over by a horse, the morning our pontoon boat began sinking in the lake and the night the barbecue pit caught fire and exploded. I could go on, but the point is, life is scary, painful and  dangerous...and you better not count on me to help.
Of course, everyone reacts differently in emergency situations, but clearly, I am useless in the event of accident, bodily injury, catastrophe or fire.  Or so I thought...

I was just a few months out of grad school, working at a nursing home in Wharton, Texas, when I had an opportunity to redeem myself.

It was lunch time and I was seeing a patient for dysphagia therapy in the dining room. As my patient ate his Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and spinach, he started slurring his words. The food he was eating began seeping from the corner of his mouth and dripping down his chin to his neck. His left eye was nearly closed shut, and he began to lean to the side. It could only be one thing: he was having a stroke!

I jumped right up, alerted the kitchen staff, got the nurse, called 9-1-1 and in less than 10 minutes, the man was being loaded into an ambulance. Yay for me! Now, I'm not trying to make myself into a hero, but I do believe that, had I not recognized the signs of stroke and taken action, the outcome would have been very different. 

So, here we are, recognizing American Stroke Month, and  come to find out, the American Stroke Association, in their 2015 campaign, would classify me as a hero- a stroke hero. 

Stroke heroes are ready to spot stroke signs and act quickly by calling 9-1-1. They might help make the difference between life and death, or between full recovery and permanent disability. 

You too can become a stroke hero just by knowing the stroke warning signs.  

If you have 60 seconds,  NBA star Paul George can give you a quick run down of the basics:  Spot a Stroke- FAST. 

Now for the specifics:

Face Drooping:  Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?






Arm Weakness:  Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?





Speech Difficulty:  Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?




Time to Call 9-1-1:  If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptom appeared.



Next, take time to learn the other signs of stroke:





Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.



 

Sudden trouble walking,dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

Sudden trouble seeing from one or both eyes.

Sudden headache with no known cause.






Over the course of my career, I have been a stroke hero a total of 5 times. My kids say that qualifies me for being a stroke super hero.  I'm not so sure about that, but one thing is certain, you can count on me to recognize a stroke and get you the help you need.

I hope you'll join me by learning the FAST signs and sharing them with as many people as possible. Teach your family, friends and coworkers to spot a stroke FAST and call 9-1-1 immediately. 

Because anyone can have a stroke, everyone should be ready.  American Stroke Association

Build Your Caseload with New Referrals

How do you handle a dramatic change in your caseload?  Do you:


A.   panic, then have an emotional breakdown
B.   start looking for another job
C.   spend your extra time shopping at the mall
D.   consider a change of careers
E.   roll up your sleeves and do something about it

One of the agencies I contract with has slowly but surely stopped sending referrals over the last few months. At first, I was okay with it and took the, "Good. Now I can go on vacation during Spring Break" attitude. But, almost 2 months later, it's much more of a concern than it was back in March. My caseload has dwindled from about 20 visits each week to only 2 visits scheduled for this week. Yikes! 





I found myself asking, "Why isn't the phone ringing? I'm going to be unemployed next week if I don't get some new patients. What am I going to do?" I contemplated my options and then used the process of elimination to help me find the best answer. 





Option C- ELIMINATED.  I learned years ago that shopping is a bad idea. Even though there is more time for picking out new shoes to coordinate with your new outfit, you are spending money.  When there is less work,  that also means that there is less money. Now, I was in remedial math until 8th grade (seriously, I'm not kidding), but I have figured out that the money coming in needs to be more than the money going out. Using the old test taking strategy of eliminating the obviously wrong choice first, I moved on.

Option D- ELIMINATED. I've invested 21 years of my life working as an SLP, and changing course right now would be an even worse idea than going to the mall. Better keep going down the list.

Option A- ELIMINATED. The thought of getting all worked up and crying just seemed like it would not be worth the effort. Besides, people would certainly think twice about sending new referrals to the  teary-eyed therapist who was struggling to keep it together. Tears pouring out of my eyes are not going to result in new referrals, so, I'll keep going.

Option B- ELIMINATED...for now. I haven't had to look for a job in years and I really don't want to start now. The entire HR process you have to go through as a new hire for most companies is long.  It typically involves watching a bunch of boring videos about HIPPA requirements (again), demonstrating your ability to follow Universal Precautions (again), taking tests to prove you really do understand blood borne pathogens (again), updating the resume (again) and worst of all, peeing in a cup. Yuck! Who really wants to do all of that stuff...again? Right now, not me.

Option E- this is the only option that has not already been eliminated, so, I'm going to roll up my sleeves and do something about this pesky problem of mine.  Here goes!

After commiserating with my OT and PT friends, I made a few phone calls to talk to the bosses and the CEO. The common response was, "We're just not getting the referrals we used to." Hmmm- that can only mean one thing: someone is not doing their job! I'm not going to sit around waiting for someone else to do something about this situation, I'm going to get involved. 

I know exactly what to do...remind everyone how important Speech Therapy is!  After all, it is Better Hearing and Speech Month,and the timing could not be more appropriate. Now, how will I spread the news?

I remembered a handout I created before I did a presentation at the Corpus Christi Parkinson's Support Group not too long ago. I pulled up the document, made a few small adjustments for my new audience and printed it on some bright paper. 

I've been known to pop in to speak to agency staff during weekly case conference meetings, and that's my plan again.  Watch out nurses, here I come!

Making a Referral to a Speech-Language Pathologist

Common Diagnoses:  Referral to an SLP is usually justified with any of the following medical diagnoses:                                                                                                

• ·        Stroke, TIA
• ·        Parkinson’s Disease
• ·        Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
• ·        Altered Mental Status
• ·        Dysphagia
• ·        Cancer of the Head or Neck
• ·        Head Injury
• ·        Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• ·        Pneumonia
• ·        Head Injury (Closed Head Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury)

Dysphagia:  70% of geriatric patients are experiencing difficulty swallowing

• ·        History of aspiration or aspiration pneumonia
• ·        Alternative feeding methods are being/ have been used
• ·        Weight loss: gradual or sudden, usually unexpected
• ·        Poor appetite
• ·        Altered diet:  changes to solids or liquids
• ·        Pneumonia- usually in the lower lobes
• ·        Dehydration
• ·        Malnutrition
• ·        Nutritional supplementation required (Ensure, Boost)
• ·        Difficulty swallowing medications
•          Coughing, choking

Justification:

• ·        Promotes continuity of care
• ·        Provides cost effective treatment
• ·        Enables functional activities in a functional setting
• ·        Diminishes social isolation
• ·        Maintains quality of life
• ·        Allows for medical acuity and frailty at home
• 
  

You don't have to be a marketing expert to get your point across, just put on a big smile, pass these handouts around the room and let the enthusiasm you have for your job pour out of you. 

By the way, if anyone is interested in the complete, extended version of this document, contact me and I will be happy to share.

Over the years, I have found that information like this, given to the right people, can really make a difference in the amount of referrals you get. You are providing information and raising awareness, all at once- so efficient! 

Whether you're a speech language pathologist or not, the moral of the story still the same:  take responsibility, take charge and stop waiting for someone else to do the job. 

This week, consider situations that could be improved based on the actions YOU take. 

Post a comment to share your success story- I would love to hear from you!  In the meantime, don't forget to continue the celebration of Better Hearing and Speech Month.

  

Hope it's a great week....thanks for reading!

If it is to be, it is up to me.  William H. Johnsen

Ten Tips for Managing Tech Time

The average child age 8 and under in the United States uses more than three personal tech devices at home each day. With even the youngest kids now plugged in to tablets, smart phones and video games, it is important to remember to manage tech time so it doesn't overtake time for talking with children.

Talking to children in their first years of life sets them up for future academic success. The easiest and most effective way that children learn is simply by talking. Studies have proven that a link exists between the number and variety of words a child hears and later academic achievement. If that doesn't make you want to sit down and talk to a child, I don't know what would!

Every year, our national professional organization  recognizes May as Better Hearing & Speech Month.  Not only does it  allow SLPs to sparkle and shine, it designates an entire month to prioritize communication. The American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends the following 10 tips for parents on how to manage kids’ technology use and  to keep communication at the forefront of child development.

     Create tech-free times. Find at least one or two opportunities during the day—at the dinner table, for example—for everyone to disconnect. Mealtime is a prime opportunity for conversation. Make a commitment and have everyone check their devices at the kitchen door.

      Resist over-reliance on technology to pacify boredom. Fifty-five percent of parents worry that they rely on technology too much to keep their child entertained, according to an ASHA poll. Roughly half of parents say that they are using technology as a means to keep kids age 0–3 entertained. Remember that the best opportunities for conversation and learning are often found in situations that may be viewed as boring, such as while running errands or on a long car trip—particularly for the youngest children. While it may be tempting, try to resist the urge to immediately turn to these devices as a source of entertainment.

Don't overestimate the value of educational apps. Children learn best simply through talking, conversing, and reading. Technology is not the best way to teach, though it can reinforce and allow practice of skills under development.

     Make tech use a group activity. While it is most often used on an individual basis, tech use can be turned into a group activity, such as while playing an online game. Talk about what you’re doing!

      Consider whether young kids really need their own devices. It is not uncommon for kids to have their own tablets or mp3 players. Many are designed and marketed specifically for kids. This may lead to more time spent alone with technology throughout the day. On the other hand, devices designed for kids often offer additional features that appeal to parents, such as limited, kid-appropriate content and extra security options, so this is a balance for parents to consider.

      Set daily time limits. Certain devices can be programmed by parents to shut off after a certain amount of time, but you can also make a child aware of the time limit and keep track yourself.

      Be consistent in enforcing the parameters you set for tech use. ASHA’s poll found a majority of parents report setting limitations on their children’s tech use. However, the reality of their children’s tech use often doesn’t line up with the set restrictions, by parents’ own accounts. Moreover, adherence often seems to break down at ages 7 or 8 despite the rules parents say they set. 

      Always practice safe listening, especially when using ear buds or headphones. Misuse of this technology can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Even minor hearing loss takes a significant toll academically, socially, vocationally, and in other ways, so prevent the preventable. Teach kids to keep the volume down (a good guide is half volume) and take listening breaks.

      Model the tech habits you want your kids to adopt. Practice what you preach when it comes to tech time and safe-listening habits.

 Learn the signs of communication disorders. This is important for all parents, regardless of their children’s technology use. Early treatment can prevent or reverse many communication disorders. Parents should not wait to see if a child “outgrows” a suspected speech or hearing problem. If you have any question about your child’s speech or hearing, seek an assessment from a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Learn more at IdentifytheSigns.org

Please join me in celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month and feel free to share this blog with someone you know. 

Thanks for reading...have a great week!

Communication is the best way to create strong relationships. 
Jada Pinkett Smith