Esther Said:

What activities can I do with my 4 year old to help him with his expressive language delay?

We Answered:

Expose him to more opportunities to interact with other children his age. Playgrounds, story time at the public library and mini day camps (if within your budget). Kids often start speaking more to their peers than to adults, so he will get functional language "practice" with these group situations.

Read his favorite books together and draw pictures of his favorite part; he will need to explain what he has drawn.

Bake a batch of cookies and have him help. Most cooking activities, especially those cute "kid" recipes will have them talking and telling you what to do.

Spend time at the neighborhood pool, if you have one. The relaxed atmosphere will provide the best 'stage" for language to occur.

*****edited to add****
Sounds like your son is also enrolled in a class for children with special needs in speech and language. Ask the teacher and his speech therapist to provide you with specific activities and games. My preschool sped teachers are expected to provide a booklet of summer activities for each student to encourage growth in all areas of development. I am sure your son's speech therapist will give you specific "play-like" activities for him to do this summer. Just make sure you ask him or her now while there is time instead of the end-of-year rush time :)

Julio Said:

Why are some psychiatric day programs as strict as they are?

We Answered:

I think some are strict because they are set up for the lowest functioning people. Many people entering into day or partial programs may have recently attempted suicide or may be recently diagnosed with a psychotic illness. With these things in mind.... there may have to be a level of "strictness".

Day programs are really only as good as the people that work there, and it's like any place of employment. There will be a few good employees and some that just come in and do the least amount of work possible so they can get paid. I would say the reason the case managers push a person to do something is probably based on their own opinions and biases.

I have heard many complaints about day programs from many clients that fall between the cracks, so to speak. They function well enough with their illness to take part in a higher level of group therapy, but there is none available, except the low level groups at day programs.

Consumer based programs are better support because they are run by people who have been through it. But funds for these programs are largely grant based and they are probably not insurance reimbursible by health insurance or medicade.

Brandy Said:

Which undergrad degree is the most versatile?

We Answered:

As a college instructor with 4 University degrees I can tell you ANY degree is versatile. Otherwise they would say "Math for Airline Pilots", "Biology for Plant lovers", etc...

It is all what you make of your education. Can you see yourself down the line.

When chosing a college degree some people choose ones that make the most money. Sounds great in theory but would it make you happy in life. What if I told you Disecting Humans would make you the most money. Would you do it? Could you see yourself being happy seeing babies come in that you have to disect. The point of this being is that you need to be happy. There are Librarians who have lots of college education who don't make much money but they are HAPPY! They love their work.

You need to do one of the following.
1) Go to the University and take a wife variety of classes for the 1st 2 years. Then decide which classes you like best. I would strongly suggest you skip the normal "English, Math (since you don't like it), etc" and go for the "major" classes and see which ones peek your interest. Then choose a major.
2) Research online all the types of jobs you can get with each major - pick a few you like. Then study those in School and then narrow them down by the time you become a Junior. :)

Good luck!