Denise M. Connor, Speech-Language Pathologist

08/13/2022

When helping toddlers learn to talk, we need to invite them to communicate. However, we don't want to place so much pressure that communication becomes a battle. Find the sweet spot, the middle ground, the learning level... the happy place!!!

05/16/2022

Love this simple comparison between the terms of Speech & Language. If you follow my page, you already know that S-LPs look at a lot more than just Speech & Language - but hey, our title is already long enough 😅

We often talk about kids who are later to begin speaking as “speech delayed” but did you know that usually, it’s not a speech delay- it’s actually a language delay. That’s because speech and language are two very different things!

This is very oversimplified, but here are some common speech delays and disorders: articulation, phonology, apraxia, & stuttering. Some common language based delays and disorders are: expressive language, receptive language, pragmatic language (this is how a lot of autistic kids qualify for speech support), and even some learning disorders like dyslexia are language based.

You can have great speech skills and have difficult with language (a child who can repeat everything and needs support generating their own comments) or have good language skills and have difficulty with speech (a person who communicates with sign language or AAC) - and a person can also have difficulty in both areas.

05/11/2022

I may not currently work in the school setting, but this time of year is filled with helping my clients in their transition to school. The services your child receives in school might look a little different than what you've been used to for your preschooler. No matter how old your child is, I always recommend being upfront with the school and teacher.
-Do you have concerns?
-Have there been other supports/interventions/services for your child?
-What are some of your/your child's goals?
**What are some of your child's strengths?**

This last point is just as important as the first 3. It allows us to find the best supports for your child based on their own skill set. It's always good to share something positive 😊

05/02/2022

May is Better Speech & Hearing Month.

Keep your eyes open this month as I give you a peek into my world of speech!

But, being an S-LP is so much more than just SPEECH! Speech, language, voice, fluency, augmentative communication, swallowing, feeding, etc, etc, etc. Our scope is far broader than our title implies. And... I'm one of the lucky ones that gets to do a bit of everything! From birth to palliative, S-LPs support people in some of their most challenging days. Sometimes we're even blessed enough to help ease some of the stress that comes with speech and swallowing disorders. Little do my clients know, their stories touch my heart, push me to do my best, and their memories stay with me even long after they've moved on.

Happy BSHM!

03/26/2022

Imitations skills are the foundation for communication. If your early communicator isn't imitating you yet, start by imitating their sounds & gestures. I love the look on a little one's face when I do something they've just done. Build up their skills by adding in your own sound or gesture after following your little one's lead for a few turns (stomp, stomp, stomp, arms up).

Follow Mrs Speechie P for more great tips :)

07/28/2021

Laura Clery's videos on parenting always give me a chuckle. So, I was excited to see her share a video about her oldest needing Speech Therapy. As an S-LP, I often need to counsel parents on why early intervention is important, even if they are so good at ____ (fill in your blank; e.g. understanding, letters, etc.).

It is so refreshing to see parents, especially ones in the public eye, who are excited to learn what it takes to support their child's language development. In our field, S-LPs are often faced with families who want to "wait and see". We've all heard about the late talker who is now in school and doing just fine, but there are so many more children who need help closing the gap. Early intervention can set your child up for success before they get to school.

Check out the video. Enjoy a little laugh. See what some of the basic language facilitation strategies are really like. And if your child needs support, contact an S-LP!

feat Hilton Subscribe for more videos from Laura Clery - https://bit.ly/2LEwDQLLike on Facebook for Helen Horbath Exclusives - https://bit.ly/2sklYC...

06/02/2021

Well, I had planned on sharing a post on Monday to wrap up Better Speech & Hearing Month. But, I'm sure my fellow Canadians can appreciate my reasoning for waiting a couple days. The devastating news coming out of BC needed to be the full focus 🧡

So here is my wrap up post for May Month, just a couple days late.

As many of you know, our youngest son just turned 8 months old 🥰 So, we introduced solids a couple months ago. It has been one of my favourite times with both of my sons! There is a ton of misinformation out there when it comes to the introduction of solids (and that's just for typically developing children!). Starting solids can be very overwhelming for parents. Even more so if you have a baby with developmental concerns.

I follow Melanie Potock with My Munch Bug both for my personal interest and professional practice. Please check out this post, and follow her page for more information on pediatric feeding! If you have any questions or concerns about your child's feeding and swallowing skills, reach out to your local S-LP (even better, a pediatric feeding team). They can help you get started 😊

05/10/2021

It's National Nurses Week.

I've had the pleasure of working with nurses in a variety of settings. These people go above and beyond everyday to provide the best care for their patients. Often, they are the people that are supporting our plans and providing us with the updates on our clients. Interdisciplinary collaboration ensures the best quality care for our patients.

To all the nurses out there, thank-you for all your hard work, and thank-you for being a part of our team 💐

05/06/2021

I use the "one up" strategy (which I typically call, "expansion") ALL. THE. TIME. It is such an easy strategy to put into place. Try using it the next time you sit down with your child in play. Even just 5 minutes a day using this strategy can help build your child's vocabulary!

Today I am teaming up with Theresa from to talk about developing more complex language with the “one up” strategy! This is when the parent or adult models more complex language by adding one thing to what the child says. The “one up” helps children to speak in longer phrases and use more complex vocabulary. “One up” can be applied to many ages and stages.

Children learn new words and language best by listening to what others around them say. The “one up” is a simple strategy adults can use during everyday routines and play with kids to help them speak in longer phrases or sentences, as well as increase their vocabulary. It can be used at varying levels including children who aren’t yet speaking, toddlers who say single words, and all the way to children who speak in complete sentences!

How does it work? The adult simply repeats the word(s) a child says and then adds a verb, adjective, synonym, antonym, pronoun, or preposition! This validates what the child has said (by repeating) and then models a more complex concept all in one. Adults can exaggerate their intonation for the target words: “Ball! Yes! BIG BALL” and then say the complete sentence, “It is a BIG BALL”. They can also give lead in phrases with wait time to encourage children to participate as well as help them build confidence in these skills “Ball! Yes! BIG BALL! I see a ————— BIG ———— Ball!” Always fill in the blanks if the child doesn’t say anything as we don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on the child to speak.

Check out Instagram stories where I talk about what age kids should be able to use two word phrases, what prerequisite skills kids need before they are ready to combine words, and to see this strategy used in action!

05/04/2021

💯

Yes 🙌🏼 👏🏼

Thanks Speech Sisters!

05/03/2021

Local families, check out this contest for Speech & Hearing Month held by the Talk With Me Program.

Talk With Me is an awesome publicly funded program for children birth-school age. In addition to the services they provide, they are always sharing great ideas on their page, so make sure to check them out :)

May is Speech and Hearing Month and to celebrate we are having a contest! We will be drawing for 3 prize packs full of books and craft supplies on May 31. 🎁 To enter:

✅ comment below with your fave song/rhyme to do with your child
✅ share this post for a second chance to enter
** please comment "shared" if you share, I sometimes can't see who has shared.

**winner must live between Nackawic and Edmundston

We will start! Our favourite song is "little blue fish"🐟 and our fave rhyme is "zoom, zoom, zoom" 🚀