CAPE

29/11/2021

Something to watch! How do we champion equal rights to children with different needs?

14/05/2021

05/05/2021

25/03/2021

28/02/2021

26/02/2021

25/02/2021

OPINION POST:

Play-based therapy activities are designed to keep the child engaged while learning through play during the speech therapy session.

BUT...the skilled service we provide is NOT in the activity itself, rather, it lies in the skilled strategies and cues that we implement at the precise moment in time when necessary, based on each child’s unique strengths and differences.

The “magic” is not in the toy or the activity; the “magic” is in the skilled interaction between the therapist and the child.

Those playful activities we spend thoughtful time designing are how we engage with young children, but our skilled billable services are found in the therapeutic strategies that go easily undetected by parents and caregivers who often view our sessions as spent “just playing.”

As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I do not ever “just play” at work. What I do, and I do very well, is PLAY WITH A PURPOSE. That means I deliberately embed skilled strategies and cues into play time to enhance the child’s learning and development.

When coaching parents and caregivers, we should be transferring our knowledge of which strategies to use and when during the family’s daily routines. This looks much different from “homework” that is an activity to be done out of context while at home.

Activities do not equal strategies.

As therapists, we should be focusing most of our brain power and efforts on determining which skilled strategies are effective in meeting the child’s goals and less time on creating breathtaking Pinterest-worthy activities. Because without the strategies, the activities are “just play.”

The strategies we use during play time can also be used during mealtime, bath time, dressing time, and so on. That’s how we get the much needed practice and carryover to the real world.

My autism and apraxia books are filled with examples of skilled strategies...my parent coaching handouts are filled with more examples of skilled strategies. Yes, I do enjoy creating fun and engaging therapy activities too, but my use of skilled strategies is the real difference maker.

10/02/2021

Let's learn more about Toe Walking! Thanks to the Chicago OT Therapy for this Handout.

07/02/2021

23/01/2021

"Do Behaviors> Don't behaviors"

Dos and Dont’s.