WHAT IS DLD?

WHAT IS DLD? Developmental language disorder*, or DLD, is a difficulty understanding and using spoken language. DLD is a lifelong condition that emerges in childhood.DLD is more common than you might think! Studies show that 1 in 14 children may have DLD – this equates to almost 2 children in every classroom. What does DLD […]

UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF CVI

UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF CVI Cortical vision impairment or CVI is an umbrella term for vision impairments that are caused by a disorder in the visual areas of the brain. Recent research has found it’s not just the visual cortex or occipital lobe responsible for vision but the white matter and ventricles of several other […]

WHAT IS INCONSISTENT PHONOLOGICAL DISORDER?

WHAT IS INCONSISTENT PHONOLOGICAL DISORDER? Why don’t people understand my child?As a parent, it’s very easy to ‘speak your child’s language’. We know that when they say, ‘babu’ they could be talking about bubbles, or something that is purple, or even a baboon. We spend lots of time with our children, so we understand their speech quirks. However, other people […]

A SENSORY-INFORMED APPROACH TO INTERVENTION

A SENSORY-INFORMED APPROACH TO INTERVENTION Sensory refers to how our bodies receive information from the world around us, and pass this onto the brain for processing. This helps us to interact and learn about our environment. There are 8 senses that form the basis of our sensory system.Visual Sense:   the ability to understand and interpret […]

I THINK MY CHILD MIGHT BE AUTISTIC

I THINK MY CHILD MIGHT BE AUTISTIC To meet diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to the DSM-5 criteria, a child must have ongoing difficulties in the home and community in the following areas: social communication and interaction plus at least two types of restricted, repetitive behaviours. Speech pathologists look at the social […]

WHAT IS PODD?

WHAT IS PODD? What is PODD?PODD is a type of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system. It is a way of organising word and symbol vocabulary for communication and is available either in book form or on a speech generating device.   PODD stands for: Pragmatic – it considers the reason for which we are communicating, […]

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD WHO STUTTERS

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD WHO STUTTERS As discussed in previous posts, there are a number of factors that can impact on a child’s stutter. According to Yaruss, Coleman, and Hammer (2006) these factors can be organised into 3 different groups: child related factors, factors based on their life experiences, or communication stressors. Child factors are specific to […]

ADHD-THE SUPER POWERED BRAIN

ADHD-THE SUPER POWERED BRAIN You may have heard of ADHD or ADD and have some preconceived ideas about what it looks like. Most people picture a very hyperactive little boy bouncing off the walls. Some people even think it’s not a ‘real’ condition and is just a child who needs less sugar and more discipline. […]

TYPES OF PODD – PODD BOOK VS DEVICE

TYPES OF PODD – PODD BOOK VS DEVICE PODD can be accessed in the form of a communication book or through a device, often called a speech generating device. There is a wide range of PODD book layouts available, and a number of different devices and applications that PODD can be accessed through. Finding the […]

WHAT IS GESTALT LANGUAGE AQUISITION?

WHAT IS GESTALT LANGUAGE AQUISITION? The word ‘gestalt’ is German in origin and refers to processing information in chunks. In language, this may be a whole phrase such as ‘all aboard’ and ‘let’s go on an adventure!’. This is a form of echolalia. Echolalia refers to the repetition of utterances said by others. It can be immediate (i.e., repeating a question straight back to you) or delayed (i.e., […]