Christmas therapy ideas

Christmas is nearly here! Can you believe it?

I don't know about you, but I find this time of year hectic, tiring and overwhelming, but I also think it's such a magical time of year for children and adults alike! Despite all my groaning, I really DO love it!


                                

                                                 

Christmas can also bring the added bonus (for parents) of a little extra motivation for kids... I find myself often saying, "Santa's watching..." to my kids, as they get up to mischief at home!

I also tend to use Christmas themed activities and games during the Christmas season, as most kids ARE a little extra motivated by all things Christmas, and it only happens once a year! That extra motivation can extend to getting some speech pathology practice in over the holiday season. 

Speaking of speech, has a wonderful list of Christmas themed games, activities, cards for you to print off and use at home! Take a look at their resources here.  

Kids Activities Blog also has some very cute 'paper baking' sets for kids to decorate.

Also, if you'd like to do some other activities over the Christmas and New Year period, pop over to our Pinterest page for some fun ideas, information and inspiration to keep working on your child's therapy goals, without them even knowing!!! 

Have fun with these and I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!

Robyn
xo

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What IS speech pathology?

Speech pathology, speech therapy, speech and language pathology, SLP, speech and language therapy, speech-language pathology.... Which is it? Are they the same thing or not?

This is something that we often get asked. The short answer is, yes. They are the same things, and the professionals have the same qualifications and expertise. It depends a bit on which country the "Speechie" trained in and received their qualification. In Australia, we are generally called Speech Pathologists - that's our official title, but people tend to understand what we do a bit better if we say we are Speech Therapists. In the UK, we are called 'Speech and Language Therapists', in America and Canada, 'Speech-Language Pathologists' and in New Zealand, 'Speech-Language Therapists'. Same thing. We all do the same job.

Soooo, what IS that job again? What EXACTLY does a Speech Pathologist do?
Speech Pathologists basically work with people of any age and any ability, who are having difficulties with their communication, feeding or swallowing. You can find out more detail about speech pathology by visiting the Speech Pathology Australia website here.

'Speechies' work in a variety of settings including in schools, community health services, early childhood intervention programs, private practice, hospitals, aged care services, disability services and many more.  

If you or your child need to see a Speech Pathologist, here are some terms you might hear thrown around at times:

• Speech - the WAY in which people say words, how they articulate or pronunciate words.
• Language - this refers to WHAT is said, the actual use and understanding of words and sentences.
• Voice - how a person's voice sounds, eg. high or low pitched, croaky, strained.
• Dysfluency - stuttering or stammering. Dysfluencies can be repeating sounds, words or phrases, getting stuck on a sound, having 'blocks' (when the words just won't come out).
• Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) - using an alternative means of communication when verbal communication is difficult. eg. Electronic devices, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Signing or using gestures. 
• You can access a more comprehensive glossary of terms from our website shop.

If you think you may need the help of a Speech Pathologist, you can get in touch with one by getting onto the Speech Pathologist directory at Speech Pathology Australia here. If you're in Melbourne, you can give Little Parrots a call to see if we come to your area. If not, we'll point you in the right direction.

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