I am a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and they have a new campaign called Identify the Signs that is really cool and impacts my job in a huge way. I have worked with a lot of families that I feel have “identified the signs” too late and I am sure there are many, many more out there. Early detection of speech, language and hearing issues is absolutely critical to improving academic, social and career outcomes.

For people with communication disorders, those closest to them are often their biggest asset. Unfortunately, many parents and caregivers are unable to identify the early warning signs of these issues or dismiss them too readily. A recent poll of the speech-language pathologists and audiologists of ASHA reported significant parental delays in getting help for children with communication difficulties.

To remedy that, ASHA has launched this campaign. This multimedia effort addresses the importance of early detection, helps the public identify the early warning signs of communication disorders, and encourages people to seek the best professional help through a series of TV, radio, print and digital public service announcements and a media outreach push. I encourage you to visit www.IdentifyTheSigns.org for information and resources. Above all, though, I hope you will seek help if you suspect that you or a loved one shows signs of having a disorder.

Here is a video from ASHA’s president explaining this campaign

and here’s another video about the campaign – I don’t really like this video. First of all, who puts their “almost two year old” in a baby seat and second, I don’t really feel like they represent “not responding” very well in this video. But, ASHA didn’t ask for my input on the video. Their loss. Just kidding. (I do think this video still has good information so you should watch it. That is why I am posting it on my blog).

I hope this campaign does well and if it does, I probably won’t make any more money but I will be able to help a lot more people.

A friend of mine posted a link to the ABC 20/20 story on Gabby Giffords & Mark Kelly: Courage and Hope and I loved it so I wanted to share it on my blog.

I thought the interview and story was well done. I love that her husband videotaped her recovery and that she is allowing the world to see it. What a brave woman. I wish her all the best.

This interview shows some good clips of speech therapists. So, if you ever wondered what I do at the hospital, this might give you an idea.

I love about my job and working with 2 year olds:

1. Wet kisses on my cheek (hopefully not my lips)
2. Hugs around my legs
3. Parents’ smiling at something I helped their child do (like say a new word)
4. Watching a child learn a new skill
5. Passing off goals after working with a child for 6 short months
6. Buying new toys (especially at Lakeshore)
7. Playing with new toys
8. Hanging out with my coworkers
9. Singing fun songs like “The Wheels on the Bus”
10. I learn something new all the time!

I have explained glottal fry to my husband a couple of times and he told me about a coworker of his that does it a lot. I guess he told them to stop doing it and he found this written on their dry erase board the other day:

I thought it was hilarious. I’m not sure how many people see this dry erase board but I think it might start some interesting conversations.

Did you know May is Better Speech and Hearing Month? I didn’t think so. But, maybe you did. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has sponsored several advertisements on the radio, in doctors’ offices and at schools to raise awareness about communication disorders. They want the public to know that anything that limits a person’s hearing, speech, or language abilities limits their life and a speech-language pathologist or audiologist can help!

Here’s an example of an advertisement you might hear this month on National Public Radio (NPR) regarding communication disorders:

Anything that impairs your ability to communicate limits your life. Yet 14 million Americans have a speech or language problem, and many do not know that they can be helped.

If you stutter, have problems pronouncing certain sounds, or don’t always understand what people say to you, you could have a speech or language problem.

People of all ages have these problems. With proper treatment you can eliminate or minimize their impact. If you need to know more about speech and language problems, call a speech-language pathologist this May, Better Hearing and Speech Month. To find a certified speech-language pathologist, phone 1-800-638-8255.

The author of the For Better or For Worse comic strip is also participating in the Better Speech and Hearing Month. One of her characters, Grandpa Jim, suffered a stroke in 2006 and has difficulty moving and communicating. Lately several of her comic strips have featured Grandpa Jim receiving speech therapy and physical therapy. It is kind of fun to read about speech therapy in the comics (well, for me anyway).

Happy Better Speech and Hearing Month everyone!

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education I took several audiology courses. I enjoyed most of them but not enough to decide to become an audiologist. Last fall I took a pediatric audiology course and learned a lot about identifying and treating children with hearing loss. It was a very interesting course and has helped me answer questions and educate families when I do newborn hearing screenings.

One of the last days of class the professor invited two moms of children who were deaf to share their stories with us. One mom talked about the family’s decision to use ASL and the other mom talked about the family’s decision to have her child receive bilateral cochlear implants. There is definitely controversy regarding whether parents of a deaf child should teach their child ASL only or have their child use hearing aids/cochlear implants (with or without ASL). It is a big decision families have to make and the sooner they make it the better it will be for their child. It is critical that children receive some type of language input before they are 6 months old or they will be behind their peers in language development.

After a child is diagnosed with a hearing loss, an audiologist and/or other professional should continue to follow them until they enter preschool or kindergarten to ensure they don’t fall behind their peers. A newspaper article in the Salt Lake Tribune yesterday stated many babies/children diagnosed with a hearing loss in Utah don’t get the follow-up care they need. The article also stated that some pediatricians use the “let’s wait and see” approach to delayed speech and language development. All I can say is – yikes! There needs to be more public education (pediatrician education) regarding the services available for children developing behind their peers and the importance of early intervention.

Overall, parents need to be aware of speech and language developmental milestones and be persistent with pediatricians who want to “wait and see” if their child catches up. In addition, parents need to be informed that there are many resources available to help their child if they are behind in speech and language development or have a hearing loss.

Okay, I’ll get off my soap box for now.

FYI: I met the boy featured in the article in my class last fall and read his mom’s blog frequently.