Westminster Speech Language Therapy

03/19/2025

Autism and Sleep 💤

Sleep can often be a challenge for many autistic individuals, from childhood into adulthood.

Understanding the reasons behind why sleep is challenging can help us foster empathy while creating a plan of action to support better sleep.

🐨 Physical and Biological Differences: Autistic individuals often experience differences in their sensory processing, physiological and neurological systems. Understanding these differences is essential in creating a plan that accounts for these differences.

🐨 Medical Considerations: Certain medical conditions are more common among autistic individuals, such as nutrient deficiencies, gut issues, seizures, etc. which all must be ruled out when it comes to supporting and addressing sleep challenges.

🐨 Difficulty with Maintaining Regular Routines: Routines are usually VERY important for those with Autism, however, their routines may not be what is helping support sleep. Adjusting these routines is not always as easy as a visual schedule. Understanding why these routines are in place and how to shift with ease and at the pace of the individual is important.

🐨 May Have Never Learned the Skill of Falling Asleep: While this sounds odd to list as a skill, for some, falling asleep isn’t something they’ve been taught or guided through. Developing the skill of laying in bed, calmly waiting for sleep to take over, is learned over time. For those who struggle with winding down, heightened anxiety, or staying in one spot long enough quietly and waiting for sleep to come, this can be challenging without certain features e.g., parents present.

Supporting autistic individuals with their sleep needs requires a strong and in-depth understanding of these differences, patience, and collaboration with all individual(s) involved to ensure the strategies are tailored to their unique experiences!

If your child is Autistic and sleep has been a hurdle then do not hesitate to reach out. It is never as easy as following simple sleep hygiene rules and we are here to help. 😴

Click the link below to learn more about the team and how we can help.

www.yourbehaviourgal.com/services

03/12/2025

R is one of the most difficult speech sounds to make, so it makes sense that many people struggle with this sound. Thankfully, there are many strategies to become successful with the production of R. One of my favorite strategies uses the name "Karla"! It works like this:

First become familiar with the structures inside your mouth. For this strategy, you're going to need the tip of your tongue. Pay close attention to the alveolar ridge (that bumpy spot on the roof of your mouth right before it dips up into the palate). Start by slowly saying "ka" and then "la". Now each time you say these two sounds, you're going to bring the tip of your tongue slightly further back on the "la" part. At some point you might notice that your tongue totally flips back. Keep going until you begin to hear the R sound in between "ka" and "la". You can also think about jutting out your lips when you hear the R sound.

Usually we want to be 80% successful with a sound at a certain level before we move onto the next level. So keep practicing this strategy until the R sound is accurate 80% of the time. Then we can move on to individual sounds, sounds with vowels, sounds in all word positions, phrases, sentences and finally conversations!

Please note that this is just one R strategy, and different strategies work better for different individuals. A qualified Speech-Language Pathologist can help you determine this and gain success.

Please also note that R is one of the later developing sounds in kiddos. You might start noticing your child perfecting this sound at around 5 years of age, but it can take until 7 or 8 to truly master it.

10/24/2024

A saying I learnt during an intensive stuttering clinic: "speech is contagious". After learning this, I became more mindful of the way I speak and even began using fluency techniques in my own daily life. Simple things like slowing down, reducing filled pauses (e.g. saying "um" or "like") and stopping to take good breaths really make a difference in the way you can express your ideas as well as other's ability to understand you. Not to mention, it helps you feel calm. And since speech is contagious, hopefully your conversation partner can also benefit and implement these tools into their own daily life as well! Send this to that fast speaking person in your life.

10/13/2024

Reminder of the day (for myself too)

I can’t learn when I’m scared.
I can’t focus when I’m stressed.
I can’t do good work when I’m anxious.
I can’t follow instructions properly when I feel threatened.
I can’t find the persistence to do hard things when I’m overwhelmed.

Our kids are the same.
They need to feel safe to feel calm.

And safety does not come from yelling, threatening, or fear.

It comes from empathy, connection, and coregulation.

Yes?

Em 🌈

10/07/2024

One of my favourite things about working with the Neurodivergent population is learning how to unlock their potential. ADHD and Autism are often viewed as a weakness, but wielded correctly they can be a superpower. Some of the most intelligent and determined individuals I've ever met have these "disorders".

10/03/2024

It can be hard to find a group of like-minded families and individuals who are going through similar experiences. Westminster Speech Language Therapy is now offering group therapy sessions in Port Coquitlam, suitable for young Autistic children. Inquire for more information at westminsterslp@gmail.com.

03/15/2024

I finally added some of my favourite language tips on my website for those young kiddos who may not be speaking as much as their same-aged peers. Follow the link to check it out and please share this information with parents who might need it: https://www.westminsterslp.com/services-2

07/16/2023

I've never been a voice specialist, but I do believe in good vocal hygiene. Here are some tips for taking good care of your voice:

1. Speak at a comfortable sound level
2. Stay hydrated
3. Take vocal rest when needed
4. Avoid excessive throat clearing and coughing

09/30/2021

Truth and reconciliation week is a 5-day national event that will continue the conversations from Every Child Matters. Learn more on The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.

Check out Emily Kewageshig - Artist to see more of her beautiful and inspiring artwork.

08/29/2021

Speech therapy only works if you're having fun!
Happy Sunday

06/11/2021

AAC is any form of communication that augments or supplements verbal speech. It can include anything from high tech (i.e. speech generating device) to low tech (i.e. picture exchange) methods.

05/21/2021

These stress reduction tips were geared towards parents with children who have disabilities, but they are relevant to anyone.

Tell me your favorite self care activities!

Check out the Autism Community Training (ACT) website for more information.

ACT-Autism Community Training