September Specialty Series: Using AAC (Alternative and AugmentativeCommunication). A mother’s story.
2209, 2014

September Specialty Series: Using AAC (Alternative and AugmentativeCommunication). A mother’s story.

To continue my September Specialty series, I want to introduce Merry. Merry is an amazing mom, and I wanted to feature a mother because in my opinion, parents are the experts on their child.  I think it’s important professionals keep this in mind, so I’ll say it again. Parents are the experts on their child. Her daughter is using an AAC (Assistive & Augmentative Communication) device at the age of

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My apraxia star sparkled at her first Walk for Children’s Apraxia of Speech
1409, 2014

My apraxia star sparkled at her first Walk for Children’s Apraxia of Speech

Apraxia Stars That is what we as the CAS community have come to refer to our children with apraxia.  I was able to attend my first Walk for Apraxia in Denver today as a mother first supporting my daughter, but also as an SLP walking for my clients, two of which came today. Aren’t they cute?  Ashlynn started to get the idea this day was all about her when she

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The high of summer! The fear of “back to school.”
1308, 2014

The high of summer! The fear of “back to school.”

Oh summer, how I love thee. Filled with swimming lessons, play dates; visits to the park and zoo. During summer, I get to see my children be children. Their carefree smiles light up a room, and the echoes of their laughter can be heard long after they lay down their head. Yes, therapy appointments are a way of life for Ashlynn, but even speech and occupational therapy bring positive updates

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Apraxia Intensive Training Institute 2014
0508, 2014

Apraxia Intensive Training Institute 2014

The Apraxia Intensive Training Institute (aka apraxia bootcamp), is an intensive training sponsored by the non-profit organization CASANA of apraxia-kids.org. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT CASANA? I love CASANA for SOOO many reasons.  As an SLP but parent first of a child with apraxia, CASANA was literally built on the backs of mothers who had children with apraxia.  Sharon Gretz is the founder and executive director and she attended EVERY session.

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“I love you mommy!”
1207, 2014

“I love you mommy!”

These words are cherished by any parent.  These words are eagerly anticipated.  When you have a child with a speech delay, the eager anticipation eventually gives way to desperation, and maybe, (though hopefully not) apathy. Ashlynn has been able to say “I love you” for awhile now.  Once she really got good at imitating, we had her imitate it every time we told her goodnight and tucked her into bed.

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Ashlynn summer speech therapy 3.9 years
0107, 2014

Ashlynn summer speech therapy 3.9 years

Ashlynn received two grants to help with her speech and occupational therapy over the summer!  The United Health Care Foundation and the Lindsay Foundation made it possible!  I am so grateful.  Ashlynn will be back to getting intensive 1:1 speech and OT services.   As far as speech goes, Ashlynn communicates her wants and needs.  She has basic conversational skills and really does try to tell us what happened in

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