Last week we helped two boy scouts complete different definitions for an assignment. They ranged from ableism to inclusion.
It was interesting watch their reactions to the words and give their thoughts and feelings to the meanings of the words. We asked about places, people or even items that may make them have these thoughts and feelings about these words.
Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior....
Let that sink in.
Now find the power to believe in and work hard to support the impacts of AAC users. If you need support in impacting the users on your caseload, we would love to support you through our education center. Check it out via our website today and keep up to date with the new things coming out by joining our email list.
https://education.chatterboxtherapycenter.com/chatterbox-therapy-center-community
We believe in you.
#autism #therapy #communication #autismawareness #language #downsyndrome #specialneeds #occupationaltherapy #speechtherapy #specialeducation #slplife #speechtherapyideas #speechtherapylife
Hopping into the weekend!
Hope you have a fantastic weekend 😀
#speechlanguagepathologist #languagelearningtips #futureslp #seewhatthechatterisallabout #languagelearning #aac #dfwchildmag #specialneeds #specialeducationclassroom #specialeducation #literacyforlife #gestalt #gestaltlanguageprocessing #specialneedsmom #momofspecialneeds #specialeducationteacher #playtherapy #languagelearner #specialneedsscienceclass #specialneedsscience #articulation
We hope everyone has a rocking great weekend and we will see you on Tuesday!
#specialneedsmom #speechtherapy #slpa #slp2be #futureslp #SLP #classroom #feedingtherapy #speechies #slplife #speechpathology #momapproved #AACDevice #toddlermom #tarsyndrome #slpgrad #speech #communications #communicationstrategy #literacyforbigkids #literacyforkids
Language skills are important foundational skills to learn, make friends, and have confidence. If you have concerns your child may have a delay in language, follow your gut. Early intervention is important and one of Chatterbox’s SLPs can help your child with receptive language and expressive language.
#speechies #speechlanguagepathologist #speechtherapy #slplife #slp2b #slp #slptobe #articulation #speech #slp2be #speechlanguagepathology #slpgradstudent #speechtherapist #speechpathology #specialneedsfamily #specialneedsparenting #specialneedsmom #specialneedskids #specialneeds #specialneedssiblings #specialneedsawareness #language #languagelearning #languagedevelopment #expressivelanguagedisorder #receptivelanguagedelay #earlydetection #earlyinterventionprogram #aacslp #aac
Our staff is always welcomed with this experience. Why?! Seems like a cruel experiment?!?
Well several years ago I went to a training on access and seating. That first day I was in tears, over stimulated and not even sure I wanted to come back. They strapped us to chairs, placed rolled up rags under legs, arms, and our bottoms so we could have the experience of positioning that our clients do. It was a game changer for me. Think about how many movements you make in one sitting… we are constantly repositioning ourselves to find a new comfort. A lot of the time we fix this with a new strap or padding and then ask them do crazy things.
I gave up in that training… can you imagine what your client/child/parent feels like?!
#empathymatters #empathy #speechtherapy #speechpathology #speechtherapist #occupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapist #spedteacher #specialeducation #specialneedsmom #advocatelife #advocate #dallas #dallastexas #dallastherapy #wheelchair #wheelchairaccessible #specialneedskids #specialneedsparent #aacslp #AAC #accessibility
On one of our adventure Sundays. We dropped the Perot Museum. Join the twins as they explore a few places at the Museum.
Have a toddler and want to make sure their language is developing appropriately?!?
Make an appointment with us today for Saturday, March 12th from 9 am-12 pm with one of our licensed Speech Language Pathologist
#toddlerlife #cdcsays #toddler #toddlermom #momlife #momsofdallas #dallasmoms
Toddlers and Language Delays
Check our live out as we talk about toddlers and language delays. We've received a ton of new kiddos in the past several weeks that have been termed as "COVID babies"
Have questions and concerns? Reach out and we will be glad to help! 972-665-8610
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato
Today is World Kindness Day. Just remember that everyone has their own battle #everyday.
#chatterboxtherapycenter #seewhatthechatterisallabout #speechtherapy #occupationaltherapy #aactherapy #slp2be #ot2be
Happy Functional Friday!
Let’s talk about face washing!
Face washing is one of the first self care tasks that a person can master, and it can easily and naturally be practiced throughout the day. We wipe our face first thing in the morning, after every meal, after working out, before bed, and so many other times of day! This is a great task to let your child practice daily to build their independence. Here are some ways to set them up for success:
💧Use a washcloth glove or even a soft loofah if grasping is a challenge
💧Pick 1 part of the prep process (find the washcloth, get it wet, add face wash if applicable, wipe down sink after) to have the child complete as well
💧Have them practice washing your face or wiping down a wipe-off marker drawing on the mirror to work on thoroughness
💧Use music or a visual timer for thoroughness, similar to tooth brushing
💧Practice EVERY time the child eats, washes their hands, or comes inside from playing
Concerned about your child’s independence and development? Talk to your pediatrician and reach out to our OT Maggie McGhee here at Chatterbox Therapy!
Happy Halloween! Here is Spookley the Square Pumpkin read by Maggie!
#seewhatthechatterisallabout #chatterboxtherapycenter #aactherapy #speechtherapy #slp2be #occupationaltherapy #dallastexas
Shape Challenge at Chatter
One of my favorite things is making the staff do crazy things. We hope you laugh as hard as Sara did making everyone do crazy things. Happy Friday!
***disclaimer. We do not own or profit from the music in this video.
#seewhatthechatterisallabout #dallastexas #aactherapy #speechtherapy #slp2be #occupationaltherapy #AACAwarenessMonth
Happy Functional Friday!
With candy coming in this weekend for Halloween, let’s talk about teeth brushing!
Brushing teeth has so many components to consider when working towards independence, such as:
🦷Sequencing
🪥Wrist mobility and grasping skills
🦷Fine motor coordination
🪥Sensory
🦷Thoroughness
🪥Oral motor safety
Luckily, there are a million ways to help independence! From modeling to adaptive tooth brushes and toothpaste holders to even changing toothpaste flavors, there are lots of TREATS to help kids get the TRICK of tooth brushing!
Worried about your child’s ability to tolerate or safely engage in tooth brushing? Have other questions about independence and development? Contact Maggie McGhee OTR/L-MS here at Chatterbox Therapy!
Happy Functional Friday!
With Halloween around the corner, there’s not a more perfect time to talk about dressing! There’s lots of fun ways to practice skills needed for dressing. Here’s some of our OT’s favorites:
🧢Play dress up! Use clothing and costumes a size up so that there’s extra room to manipulate clothes
👚Use hoolahoops, ring toss rings, and loose jewelry like leis and bead necklaces to practice putting items over heads and arms or pulling up over feet and hips
👖Use dressing boards, task boxes, or even dressing up stuffed animals at the table top to practice fasteners. They’ll learn the motor pattern easier when they can see it, then transfer it to their own clothes later
🥾Take socks and shoes off and on for sensory and gross motor play! It’s a natural way to get in sock and shoe practice before doing something else fun
👜Use dress up clothes and toys with lots of different textures and fabrics to help integrate the sensory component of wearing clothes
There are so many more elements that come into play when working on dressing. Concerned about your child’s dressing skills or need more tips for putting on the perfect Halloween costume? Contact Maggie McGhee OTR/L-MS at Chatterbox Therapy Center!
Happy FUNctional Friday!
Let’s talk about play! 🧸
Play is a fundamental part of childhood and life as a whole. Even as we grow older, leisure is a huge part of our lives that should always be protected and participated in. Did you know that there are developmental milestones for play and leisure?
🧸Exploratory and sensory play. This is a discovery phase that turns EVERY interaction into a fun discovery experience
🪀Relational play and imitation play. Using toys for their intended usage as well as copying peers and caregivers to learn appropriate use of toys occurs at this stage. This is also where cause and effect is learned
🪁Pretend and symbolic play. Inanimate objects such as dolls and cars are played with as if they are real life items. At this stage, there may not be much collaboration with peers, self directed play alongside peers becomes more common. Construction play (blocks and legos) also develops here
🚂Collaborative play. Pretend play is now shared with peers and may include completely imaginary items or using items to symbolize something completely different (a stick becomes a dog leash, a box becomes a boat). Complex movements like tricycle riding and ball tossing also develops here
🪆Corporate play and leisure play. Large games and songs with structure and rules such as Simon says, tag, songs in class, dancing, etc. become more common and the idea of “friendship” develops. Other purposeful leisure activities like reading or coloring grow into common activities.
Have concerns about your child’s play skills or social skills? Contact us here at Chatterbox Therapy Center for more information!
We special visitor today at Chatterbox! The kids LOVED Rogue. But we think Maggie loved her more!
#seewhatthechatterisallabout #speechtherapy #occupationaltherapy #aacawarenessmonth #aactherapy #slp2be #dallastexas #chatterboxtherapycenter
Welcome to FUNctional Fridays!
Let’s talk about Functional communication! 🗣
Here at Chatterbox, we specialize in AAC usage as a tool for functional communication, and we do so through speech and occupational therapy. We believe that every person has the right to:
🗣communicate wants, needs, and feelings
🗣engage in learning opportunities
🗣have and maintain meaningful relationships
🗣understand and engage in their community
It is AAC awareness month, so we couldn’t help but highlight the amazing ways this tool gives access to functional communication, but there are so many ways to engage and communicate!
Do you have concerns regarding your child’s communication needs? Reach out to us here at Chatterbox Therapy Center!
Check us out on TikTok! @chatterboxtherapycenter
Sara made an "Ugh-Oh"
What happens when you attempt something new on Facebook? You delete things on accident... obviously! 🙃
Help us gain our "stars" back!
Love coming to "The Box" or being part of the Chatter Family? We would love to hear from you within our recommendations and reviews so others can #seewhatthechatterisallabout
We also promise to limit Sara's time on Facebook 😂
Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle- Socrates.
Give me a heart emoji if you agree <3
This is probably one of our favorite moments of Camp AAChieve. Kickball is something so many kids get to enjoy- so why shouldn’t we play too!
This sweet girl is a people watcher. She figures out her surroundings before giving things a go.
We were sooo proud of her and the others for having fun THEIR way. I thought my heart would explode. We may or may not have a few people have tears in their eyes watching these kids be kids. 🥰
#seewhatthechatterisallabout #aaccamp #campaachieve
We have a surprise! We have Occupational Therapy starting soon!!
We are excited to offer OT and Speech so our clients are getting a cohesive treatment!
Not sure if OT is a good fit for your child? Ask your therapist today, or call for a consult!
972-665-8610 or [email protected]
#seewhatthechatterisallabout #OTcomingsoon
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