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Kjirsten Broughton quote: ear infections can affect a child's ability to hear and understand speech clearly, which can hinder their language and communication development. (opens parents.com in a new tab)The benefits of early intervention: helps make the most of learning through play, reduces the need for instructional support in school, helps a child reach their true potential, and often occurs where your child is most comfortable.Quote: "Children need your presence more than your presents." – Jesse JacksonFive-star parent feedback: Southern Nevada Speech has been such a blessing to my family. My son is 5 years old and has a rare genetic disorder, autism, and mild spastic cerebral palsy. Leslie has helped him so much. She incorporates great lessons that help my son while also making it fun. She is extremely knowledgeable, she has a calm and patient demeanor, and she has helped my son drastically.No waiting list.Is there a difference? Autistic vs. person with autism. (opens autisticadvocacy.org in a new tab)Quote: "Forcing people into sensory overload is not OK… sensory problems are real and they're highly variable." – Temple GrandinQuote: "Play gives children a chance to practice what they're learning." – Fred RogersDoes your little one have trouble following directions?Southern Nevada Speech & Language Services celebrates Neurodiversity Celebration Week, March 21–27, 2022, neurodiversityweek.com. (opens neurodiversityweek.com in a new tab)Quote: "One of the most important things we adults can do for young children is to model the kind of person we would like them to be." – Carol B. HillmanBenefits of cooking with children: fun and functional, fine motor practice, teaches new vocabulary, and works on following directions. Illustration of a parent and child cooking together. (opens huffpost.com in a new tab)Quote: "It's necessary to let kids get bored once in a while – that's how they learn to be creative." – Kim RaverModeling: a natural way to teach language.Quote: "It is a happy talent to know how to play." – Ralph Waldo EmersonQuote: "The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." – Peter F. DruckerNews headline: Study: Autism Diagnosis Later in Life Linked to Worse Mental Health. (opens verywellhealth.com in a new tab)Language therapy do's and don'ts. Don't focus on letters and numbers, bombard children with questions, or drill flashcards. Do teach functional language, model language and make comments, and play, play, play!Unpopular opinion: Don't teach "please" and "thank you". What to do instead.Quote: "Children don't say, 'I had a hard day, can we talk?' They say, 'Will you play with me?'" – Lawrence CohenKjirsten Broughton, speech-language pathologist, quoting Autism Parenting Magazine: many autistic individuals who were diagnosed as adults wish they had been aware of their autism as a child. A diagnosis can help lead to treatment of often coexisting conditions including sensory processing issues, gastrointestinal issues, sleeping difficulties, and anxiety. (opens autismparentingmagazine.com in a new tab)Ready, set… go! Build anticipation through this verbal routine.News headline from ASHA: Infant Focus on Objects Could Predict Autism Diagnosis. Photo of a baby looking at a rubber duck. (opens leader.pubs.asha.org in a new tab)Quote: "Never help a child with a task at which he feels like he can succeed." – Maria MontessoriTherapy tip: sit face to face. Connect with your child while they watch your mouth move to form sounds and facial expressions.News headline from ASHA: Autism Rates Continue to Rise, Says CDC. One in 44 American children is on the autism spectrum, according to new CDC data.Therapy tip: put a favorite item out of reach or in a hard-to-open container to give your child an opportunity to communicate.Quote: "He who laughs most, learns best." – John CleeseTherapy tip: be silly! Illustration of a giggling child.News headline from ASHA: Increased Parent Engagement Linked to Child Development Gains. Photo of a parent and two children looking at a tablet together. (opens leader.pubs.asha.org in a new tab)Quote: "The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children, the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is the best after all." – Benjamin Spock and Robert Needlman, Dr. Spock's Baby and Child CareBest parents' New Year's resolutions, from kids: less time online, more quality family time, active listening, honesty, keeping promises, and surprises! (opens psychologytoday.com in a new tab)The National Association for the Education of Young Children's 10 technology tips for preschool parents. (opens naeyc.org in a new tab)Quote: "Children need models rather than critics." – Joseph JoubertPlay without toys?! Illustration of a thoughtful young girl.News headline from The ASHA LeaderLive: Early Intervention Improves Developmental Outcomes in Infants. Infants exhibiting autism symptoms had lower odds of receiving a clinical diagnosis by age 3 when participating in a social communication intervention. (opens leader.pubs.asha.org in a new tab)Therapy tip: songs! Songs, especially repetitive songs and ones with actions, are wonderful for teaching language.International Day of People with Disabilities: "Fighting for rights in a post-COVID era." (opens idpwd.org in a new tab)Thank you for supporting Southern Nevada Speech and Language Services!Quote: "Stand aside for a while and leave room for learning, observe carefully what children do, and then, if you have understood well, perhaps teaching will be different from before." – Loris MalaguzziFree milestones checklist: first year milestones for receptive and expressive language.Quote: "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." – James BaldwinUnpopular opinion: Don't ask kids questions.Quote: "Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you." – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.Come see us at the Las Vegas Baby Expo, October 9th, 2021, 10 AM–3 PM, at Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146. Vendors, food, entertainment, activities, raffle prizes, and free goodie bags for the first 100 families. LasVegasBabyExpo.comTherapy tip: use movement during play!Myth: using sign language hinders verbal speech.Therapy tip: teach words with early-developing sounds: B, D, H, M, P, T, and W.Quote: "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." – Benjamin FranklinReasons for early intervention (speech therapy before 3 years old): better outcomes, since therapy is more effective when provided earlier; less likely to need therapy during school years; the greatest brain development happens in the first 3 years; and teaching communication strategies reduces frustration.Meet the therapists of Southern Nevada Speech and Language Services: Kjirsten Broughton and Leslie Howell.What is AAC?International Literacy DayTypical Speech ClarityToy Tips: BlocksSpeech Therapy - What is it?"Play is our brain's favorite way of learning"Therapy Tip: Repetition - Repeating words and phrases during play gives meaning to vocabularyNearly 1 in 12 US children 3-17 has a disorder related to voice, speech, language, or swallowing"Your child is not ready for speech therapy" is a mythTherapy Tip: Wait! Pausing gives your child a chance to initiate communicationKjirsten Broughton and Leslie Howell, Southern Nevada Speech and Language Services