Dianne Said:

looking for some advice on helping my daughter develop her language skills?

We Answered:

As much time as you can spend will always help a parent/ child bond. And the more time spent with a mature adult the more a child will learn, but this doesn't specifically refer to speech development. Aside from any other useful advice that you may garner my largest suggestion particularly for a younger child like this would be to avoid at all cost "interpreting" your child's speech. What I mean by that is this. Simply from a quickness of time standpoint parents have a tendency when their child speaks to "guess" at what they are meaning to say. As a parent you get very good at guessing, and then facilitate Your child's desire. The problem is that you are teaching your child bad speaking habits. Why would a child pronounce things or phrase things correctly when the incorrect phrasing or pronunciation gets them what they want? It's actually not much different than in adults who say "nothin" "who dis" "let me axe you a question" etc etc. By putting your child in a situation where you will respond only (or at least as close to only as you can get) to proper word formation you make it a priority for the child to improve their speech. It is however very difficult for most parents to follow this approach as it can be much more time consuming. It also can and will frustrate the child which pulls at our heart strings and discourages us from this line of action.

Also try and carry on conversations with your child as much as possible. Avoid talking down to their level, instead give them the opportunity to talk up to yours. (Most people underestimate the capabilities of children at all age levels). Just don't be frustrated or more importantly don't let your frustration show through to your child at their inability. It takes time and patience.

Best of luck

Vivian Said:

What are some good activities for a child with an auditory processing disorder?

We Answered:

Visuals, visuals, visuals...those will the most important to him. Using pictures to communicate schedule, tasks, etc. would be very important in communicating daily activities. A lot of hands on manipulations when actually looking at learning tasks would be great also. For example, if helping him with math, give him actual manipulatives, like counting bears, to help work through addition and subtraction problems. When working on spelling words, giving him alphabet tiles or foam letters to spell out the words.

You have to think in the sense that what he hears does not always make sense and the brain will sometimes get confused. What he sees does make sense to him...think that way and you shouldn't have any problem.

Rebecca Said:

Ideas for Better Speech and Hearing Month/Cinco de Mayo party?

We Answered:

You could have a "report an illegal immigrant" contest.

Oscar Said:

looking for some advice on how to help my daughter develop her language skills?

We Answered:

My son is only 2 and gets one hour of speech therapy once a week. My daughter is 4 and gets 30 minutes of speech therapy once a week and she is with one other little girl so I basically think she only gets 15 minutes (which I have issues with).

My son doesn't talk....my daughter says everything. The thing with her is that you just can't understand her.

I wouldn't suggest anything intensive. Just pay attention to her words and make sure she used them. Depending on her age she should say something along the lines of this for her wants/needs (youngest to oldest) "Drink" "Want drink" "Want drink please" "Want milk/juice please", "I want milk/juice please" "Mommy, I'm thirsty can I have some milk/juice, please"

Make sure you read to her. Read the recipes when you bake, read the newspaper when you're reading something you find interesting, read to her from her books when she is calm, of course read to her from her favorite books too. Sing lots of nursery rhyme songs.

Jo Said:

3 year old constantly whiningcrying and not knowing what to do with self?

We Answered:

Some things you might consider:
Talking to his daycare teachers....is he this way there? How does he relate to his teachers and other kids?
Also talk to his speech thereapist and see how cooperative he is in that setting.
Get him a full medical check up to see if there is some underlying physical problem that he can not articulate to you.
Try not to make an issue of the eating thing. Provide only 2 options at each meal,
oatmeal and pancakes for instance, and if he refuses to eat leave the food on the table....sooner or later his tummy will override his objections.
Also, think about whether or not he might be over-stimulated at home. Some kids do much better with the tv off, lighting dimmed, and perhaps some kids songs playing softly in the background. Try to provide a room or area in the house where everything is 'low key'. See if he gravitates to that room.
Good luck. :-)