Beyond Speech Therapy Gilmer

01/17/2026

🌟 Helping Kids Build Real‑Life Social Skills—Through a Virtual Town! 🌟

Imagine your child exploring a kid‑friendly digital town where they can practice conversations, learn how to greet others, take turns, solve problems, and navigate everyday situations—all in a safe, engaging, game‑like environment.

Bst’s virtual social skills program turns learning into play by allowing children to guide a human avatar through realistic scenarios such as:
🏘️ Visiting a shop
👋 Saying hello to neighbors
🧩 Working through social challenges
🤝 Practicing cooperation and communication
For parents, this means:
❤️ A low‑pressure way for kids to build confidence
❤️ A fun, motivating approach for children who learn best through interaction
❤️ Meaningful skill practice that carries over to real life
When social learning feels like an adventure, kids stay engaged—and parents get to see their child’s growth in the moments that matter most.

01/08/2026

🇨🇳 Imagine trying to learn Chinese if you were only exposed to it 30 minutes twice a week—and never heard or used it any other time.Would you expect fluency?Probably not. Learning a language requires frequent exposure, repetition, and real‑life use.

🗣️ AAC works the same way.If a child only sees their communication device during short therapy sessions, progress will be slow and frustrating. AAC needs to be used throughout the day, in real moments, with real people.✅ That’s why we remind families and teams to:
• Model, model, model language on your child’s AAC device
• Use it during routines (meals, play, transitions, schoolwork)
• Treat AAC as a language system, not a therapy tool💙 Language grows through consistent exposure—not quick sessions.The more your child sees AAC being used, the more success they will have using it themselves.

12/25/2025

Wishing Our Sweet Families a Blessed and Wonderful Christmas! 🎄

As we take a short holiday break, our hearts are filled with gratitude for each of you. May your Christmas be full of joy, love, and cherished moments with those who matter most.

Our doors will reopen on Monday, December 29, 2025, and we can’t wait to see you then!

Merry Christmas from all of us to you! ❤️

12/24/2025

12/24/2025

New information on ASD 2025

Despite a challenging science climate, autism researchers made meaningful progress in 2025. In ASF’s annual Autism Research Year in Review, we break down the advances that moved the field forward, including progress in identifying autism subtypes, genetics and environmental factors, early intervention, s*x differences, and the move toward precision medicine.

Read the full 2025 Year in Review to see how autism research progressed when it mattered most: https://autismsciencefoundation.org/2025-year-in-review/

12/24/2025

🎄✨ Celebrating Our Amazing OT Department! ✨🎄

Check out these festive doors decorated with love and creativity by our Occupational Therapy team! 🌟 From colorful candy canes to a sparkling Christmas tree, these projects aren’t just fun—they’re purposeful.

Why are fine motor skills so important? Fine motor skills involve the small muscles in the hands and fingers, and they play a HUGE role in everyday life. Strengthening these skills helps children:
✅ Write, color, and cut with confidence at school
✅ Button clothes, tie shoes, and manage zippers at home
✅ Improve hand-eye coordination for play and learning
✅ Train the brain for better focus and problem-solving

Every craft, every ornament, every detail is more than art—it’s therapy that builds independence and success in daily activities (ADLs). 💪

👏 A big shout-out to our OT team for making therapy festive and meaningful this holiday season! 🎅🎨
Join us in celebrating the progress our kids make every day!

12/11/2025

Important Update for Our Families
Effective January 1, 2026

To help us provide consistent care for every child, please note:
• Late Cancellation Fee: A $25 fee will apply if an appointment is canceled after 5:00 PM the day before your scheduled visit.
• Missed Appointments: If three or more appointments are missed, your therapy schedule may be adjusted to once per week or less.

Need to cancel? Telehealth can help!
Telehealth is a wonderful way to stay connected to your child’s care plan. Our therapists guide parents in real time, so you can keep supporting your child—even from home.

✅ Avoid cancellation fees
✅ Stay engaged in therapy
✅ Learn hands-on strategies for home

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every child receives the care they deserve. 💙

12/09/2025

🌈 Rainbow Infinity Tracing: Boost Brain Power & Language Skills!
This colorful infinity loop isn’t just fun—it’s a powerhouse for learning and development!

✨ Why it works:
✅ Brain Activation: Crossing the midline while tracing stimulates both hemispheres for better coordination and focus.
✅ Language Growth: Naming each color builds vocabulary and expressive language.
✅ Pre-Writing Skills: Smooth, continuous motion supports handwriting readiness.
✅ Sensory Regulation: The rhythmic tracing can calm and center attention.

💡 Pro Tip: Say the color out loud as you trace for an extra language boost! Perfect for kids who love movement and color.

12/04/2025

Why is Answering Questions So Complex ?

Language is more than words—it’s a skill that takes time and practice!

The Process
Answering WH questions involves:
✅ Understanding the question
✅ Accessing knowledge
✅ Organizing thoughts
✅ Motor planning to respond
These steps cannot happen all at once—they occur in sequence!

Examples of WH Questions
Who is your teacher?
What did you eat for lunch?
Where is your backpack?
Why are you feeling sad?
When is your birthday?

Why It’s Hard
For individuals with language delays or communication challenges, this process can feel overwhelming. 💡
Be patient and supportive!

Language development takes time, practice, and understanding. ❤️ Support makes all the difference!

11/25/2025

Boost those brain connections! 🧠✨ This visual memory grid isn’t just colorful—it’s a powerhouse for neurodevelopment. Activities like this strengthen working memory, attention control, and visual-spatial processing, all essential for learning and communication. Plus, the tactile suction toys add sensory input for a full brain workout! Who’s ready to play and grow?

11/24/2025

Not feeling like heading out in this weather? We’ve got you covered—telehealth is just a message away!