education – Our Speech Garden

What is an SLP?

April 22, 2024April 29, 2024 Melanie Shea, MS, CCC-SLP

So frequently when people find out I’m a Speech Language Pathologist I get one of three responses: (1) Oh so you work with /s/’s and /r/’s!, (2) You’re a what? Or (3) That awesome my <insert family/friend/self> had therapy and it made such a difference. But even those who have direct interaction with a Speech Language Pathologist, oftentimes don’t realize the scope of the profession. And if you really want to blow someone’s mind tell them you work in a hospital or are a medical SLP. Of course you’re here, so either you have some background knowledge, are looking for services, or just want to learn more. Regardless of what brought you here, I’m going to help you understand the “who, what, where, when, and why” of the SLP’s world.

Who:

One of the best parts of being a speech language pathologist, is the fact that our profession allows us to work with all stages of life from infants in the NICU, to grandparents at nursing homes or ALFs.

What:

The best way it was described to me as a student was: “An SLP works with everything from the neck up.” That means: Dysphagia (swallowing disorders) Voice (anything impacting vocal quality such as resonance, intensity, quality), Speech disorders (such as articulation, phonological, dysarthria), Fluency (stuttering), Aphasia (which is categorized as a result of portions of the brain being damage, impacting expressive language & receptive), Cognition (which includes memory, problem solving, sequencing, mental manipulation, numerical sense, etc.). Additionally, Language (which can be receptive vs expressive and is the way one perceives communication and their ability to effectively communicate wants, needs, and more) and the use of AAC (alternative augmentative communication) because communication is more than just verbal, so if we can aid someone in finding a manner to communicate that’s what we do.

Where:

SLP’s work virtually everywhere: At homes, daycares, schools, private clinics, in libraries or public locations, in hospitals, in skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities. We can even come to you online. Therapists can come to you or you can come to them. There are even mobile dysphagia diagnostic trucks.

When:

Like mentioned above, there are no age requirements as to when you could use the services of an SLP. But rather, there are qualifying factors. As soon as you identify a concern (whether it is with your child’s development or your aging parent’s sustaining abilities) you should request a referral from your primary health care provider. Most insurance will cover the initial evaluation and many therapists will provide free screenings. Getting answers and early intervention is always the best option for aiding your loved one, in progressing or maintaining as much of their skills as possible.

Why:

This depends on each person. However, the purpose of our therapy is to improve quality of life, at any stage of life. We don’t often realize how much and how vital communication is and without it how isolated one can feel. Our job is to help bridge the gap as much as we can. It is no different with any other area in the field from dysphagia to fluency and cognition. Often most skills related to that area are implemented without thought, and it is not until you or someone you love has an impairment that you realize how vital and how complex it really is.

Hopefully, at this point you have a better understanding of everything your Speech Language Pathologist is educated and equipped to handle. But if I missed something, or you have additional questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

Early language Development: A few things to focus on.

April 15, 2024April 29, 2024 Melanie Shea, MS, CCC-SLP

Are you hoping to bump up your little one’s verbal skill, but don’t quite know what to do? Don’t worry we’ve got 3 easy tips to help.

Early language development is a critical aspect of a child’s overall development. It not only helps them communicate and express their needs and wants, but it also plays a role in their cognitive, social, and emotional development. As a parent, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to support your child’s language development. In this blog post, we will discuss some key areas that you should focus on and why they are important for early language development.

Let’s start with: functional language. This refers to the words and/or phrases that a child uses to communicate their basic needs, such as “drink,” “eat,” “sleep,” and “potty.” These words are essential for children to be able to express themselves and for caregivers to understand their needs. You also want to think of what is functional for your child and your family. For example if your family often goes outside and swings on a play set, you may want to add “out” and “swing”. If you have food in a closed pantry, you may want to add “open”. When talking about functional language you want to look at your child’s world and at its simplest form, what words would help them navigate their life while reducing frustration. Don’t be shy to share this with your therapist either; I always ask and welcome parents to add to our word list. Ultimately my job is to increase their communication, improve home life, and reduce frustration. And don’t forget how effective modeling and encouraging the use of functional language can be. You can achieved this by using it yourself and reinforcing its use when your child uses it.

Next we have: Nonverbal language, or body language: Communication is communication, it doesn’t matter the mode and we want to celebrate and encourage this. This includes gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. Nonverbal language is a crucial way for children to communicate before they have developed verbal language skills. It’s important to pay attention to your child’s nonverbal cues and respond appropriately. For example, if your child points to something they want, it’s important to follow their gaze and provide them with what they are indicating they want. I have had parents worry that if they encourage non-verbal communication their child will never speak. And, while there are children who can be stubborn, more frequently what I have encountered is when we reduce the pressure of verbal communication and provide them access to the world, their verbal expression starts to come more naturally.

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Our last point: Narrating actions and activities to your child. This is also an important aspect of language development. This means describing what you and your child are doing as you go about your daily routines. For example you might say, “We are getting ready to go outside. First, we are putting on our coats. Now, we are putting on our shoes. Let’s go!” This helps your child learn new words and understand the relationships between objects and actions. It also helps them develop their narrative skills, which are important for both oral and written language development.

So, if you want to continue bumping up your little one’s language skills you’re focusing on (1) Functional language, (2) Non-verbal language, and (3) Narrating. You can do it.

And remember if you aren’t sure and looking for some guidance or have concerns for your little one, feel free to reach out. We serve the Tampa Bay area in person and further virtually.

Being Bilingual & Language Impairments

April 12, 2024April 29, 2024 Melanie Shea, MS, CCC-SLP

“Is my child at risk of a language impairment because we speak two languages?“

As a bilingual speech language pathologist, I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve had a parent come into my treatment room full of embarrassment and shame, as they ask “is this my fault?” No! Wanting to preserve your culture and foster the ability to communicate and connect with your child is not the cause of a language impairment. On the contrary, research shows duo-language learners have numerous neurological advantages.

One study found that bilingual children had better executive function, or the ability to plan, organize, and complete tasks, compared to monolingual children (Bialystok, 2001). Executive function is an important predictor of language development as it involves the ability to use language to solve problems and communicate effectively. Another study found that bilingual children had a more advanced theory of mind, or the ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, compared to monolingual children (Bialystok, 2006). Theory of mind is also an important predictor of language development as it involves the ability to use language to express and interpret others’ mental states. In addition to these cognitive benefits, being bilingual has also been found to have a protective effect against age-related cognitive decline (Bialystok, Craik, & Freedman, 2007). This means that bilingual individuals may be less likely to experience cognitive decline as they age, compared to monolingual individuals.

Given these neurological benefits, it is clear that being bilingual is not the cause of a language impairment. In fact, it is likely that any language impairment in a bilingual child would be due to other factors. However, the reality is this concept of being bilingual leading to impairments is a common misconception. As a speech language pathologist it is vital we continue to educate those around us of the benefits and we stop encouraging bilingual families from speaking their native language.

***It is also important to recognize that a language impairment would be visible in both languages, not just one.*** If a child is experiencing a language impairment, they may have difficulty producing and comprehending language in both languages.

If you are a bilingual Spanish speaker and you are worried about your child’s language development, feel free to reach out. If you are local to the Tampa Bay area we would be happy to meet with you in person. If you are a little farther we are happy to do a virtual meeting and provide as much guidance as possible.

Ultimately anyone can have a language impairment, but it’s not going to be caused by being bilingual. And if you are struggling with this currently as a parent, we are here to walk alongside you, support you, or point you in the right direction.