March 18, 2024Utilizing SS4Kids can help improve the homeschooling experience
If you are a homeschooling parent and are looking for a fun and interactive game for your child that also targets speech development, consider implementing SS4Kids in your child’s school day. Below are ways homeschooling parents can utilize SS4Kids.
Implementing SS4Kids as a fun “break time” between academic coursework for at least 10 minutes a day will give your child new words to say.
Playing SS4Kids with your child will benefit both you and your child’s relationship because it can also be seen as bonding time.
Including SS4Kids in your child’s homeschooling schedule will give your child a chance to learn in a different way than usual because they are given the chance to sing along with the game.
Using SS4Kids with your child will give you the ability to track your child’s abilities and growth.
After using SS4Kids with your child consistently, you will see an improvement in their vocabulary.
Utilizing SS4Kids with your child consistently will not only teach your child new words, but it will also improve your child’s engagement that they can implement in other areas of learning. [...]Read more...
November 10, 2023Playing with siblings can help encourage gameplay
We understand the difficulty of trying to get your child to do something new or maintain their attention. Below are ways that siblings can help encourage each other during gameplay.
If one sibling is playing the game and is having fun playing it, the other siblings may become interested in playing as well.
Siblings can support each other. If one sibling is having trouble answering the fill in the blank portions of the game, the parent or clinician can allow the other sibling to give them a hint or help them out.
When one sibling gets a fill in the blank correct, the other sibling can cheer them on and celebrate with them. This will boost the sibling’s confidence making it more likely that they will want to continue playing the game.
Competition could also be a fun way to encourage gameplay as well. For example, who can fill in the blank to the song the fastest, etc. Many siblings enjoy this type of competitive atmosphere and ultimately leads to more gameplay.
Children learn from exposure. If one child in the house is playing a game consistently, the likelihood of siblings being interested in the game as well would increase. For example, if I practiced piano everyday, my younger brother would also want to practice after observing me.
If siblings play together, they can also strengthen their relationship because they are playing a game that they can enjoy together.
When siblings play together it aids in building skills such as patience, cooperation, and sharing. [...]Read more...
July 17, 2023We have been hard at work creating new game features for you this summer. Check them out below!
How to Play the Game Video
When you log in to SS4Kids, you’ll now notice the Green Play button where you can watch a tutorial on how to play SS4Kids. This makes it easier for new members to learn how to play our game!
Two New Songs
We have two new songs in our game library! Enjoy learning new vocabulary words with your child!
Preview of Songs
You will soon be able to listen to and preview songs inside the game before playing them with your child.
Want to see other new game features?
Fill out our feedback form and let us know what you’d like to see in our game. [...]Read more...
April 18, 2023A fun club with social support for SS4Kids users
Stay up-to-date on the latest info, news and resources to best benefit your child in our friendly community of parents and professionals.
Pink Pig Club offers connections through text messages, social media and e-newsletters
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Our private SS4Kids Facebook Support Group members include parents, caregivers, clinicians, teachers, and our team to help one another. From general child care advice to game specific questions, our support group is there for you to lean on. Join FB Support Group [...]Read more...
February 7, 2023We understand the difficulties of trying to get your child to do something new or keep their attention on this new activity. Below are a few ways that our experts have come up with to help you.
Bring game to child while child is in the bathtub
Sing songs during daytime activities, like body parts when getting dressed, or food during meals, or during a time of day when child can relate to a song, i.e. Let’s Go Fast song (sing when you are traveling, incorporate during your daily routines or before you play the game, make it a reward system)
Incorporate favorite toys, action figures, stuffed animals, dolls, etc. that correspond to songs to help “sing along”
Use a prop microphone to aid in singing songs
Meet the child’s sensory needs to improve focus–allow a weighted lap pad, use active/flexible seating
Parent and child use headphones or earbuds during game play to limit distracting background noise
Use a splitter for two headphones, or have bluetooth synced. Otherwise, the parent may not be able to easily follow if the audio is in the headphones.
Invite an older / younger sibling to play the game with them. This, of course, is dependent on the type of dynamic the child has with their sibling. Some kids are more motivated to engage with an activity if it involves their sibling. Conversely, sibling involvement could also serve as a distraction. Have conversations with the parent on the most effective way to incorporate sibling involvement, if necessary. [...]Read more...
February 1, 2023We’ve heard this debate many times. “What are the advantages and disadvantages of online therapy?” We are answering that question today. Every situation has advantages and disadvantages. Everyone learns and develops differently. So here is what we think the advantages and disadvantages of online therapy are.
Advantages
Can be done at home when child is most receptive
A shy child might be at more ease in front of a screen
Children with autism may be able to focus more easily on a 2D screen with fewer visual distractions than a 3D environment. This is potentially the opposite of the disadvantage compared to a clinical environment, assuming the 2D screen commands more attention than the distractions of the 3D home environment.
If done as a joint media interaction – more control and ability to shift from the online game to reality
Bonding time with caregiver
Much more accessible and convenient
Able to conduct therapy sessions virtually to clients who are remote or have little access to services
Disadvantages
Not having the same in-depth connection as in person
Having too much screen time and getting detached
More distractions than a clinical environment
Possibly more difficult to provide direct assistance
Considering the time zone of client and clinician during virtual therapy sessions
Wi-fi and internet connection; potential for more lag or game delays
How Clinicians and Teachers Use SS4Kids
How to Play SS4Kids Virtually with your clients [...]Read more...
November 16, 2022There are many wonderful benefits to playing Sing and Speak 4 Kids. Below are a few to help you make your decision.
View Testimonials
How Parents and Caregivers Benefit
Home interventions provides more child training time.
Helps motivate and empower parents and caregivers.
Evidenced-based supplemental learning game
How Clinicians and Teachers Benefit
In-school or in-office interventions provides more child training time.
Helps motivate and empower clinicians and teachers.
Time-saving progress reports available.
Evidenced-based supplemental learning game
How Administrators Benefit
Providing SS4Kids to your network and clients can:
Bridge activities from the institution to the home.
Give access for families in need who live at distance.
Maintain updated progress reports of children.
Help train parents to be engaged in the learning program.
Provide staff with more tools and resources to offer to their clients.
Offers cost effective intervention and learning tools. [...]Read more...
November 16, 2022Be Patient and Get Into a Routine
Elicit curiosity
Try several times, always in a quiet space
Share your enthusiasm for learning
Encourage children’s playful exploration
Prioritize social interaction during learning
Praise the process rather than the outcome
Consistency is Key to Success
Schedule 3 days/times per week (5-10 minutes)
Set an alarm on your phone
Add to your Google calendar
Put a reminder on your refrigerator
Set up a quiet space – add pillows, a beanbag chair, or a regular chair.
Talk to other family members about your time to spend with the child playing SS4Kids. Plan activities for your other children to do during this time
Older siblings can be part of playing the game [...]Read more...
November 16, 2022New to SS4Kids? Here are tips to get you started.
Play the game before playing with your child. Click on the various links throughout the game to become acquainted with the game.
Let your child listen to all songs before playing the game.
Repetition and scheduling are keys to learning. Schedule 3 times a week for 5-10 minutes each time for maximum development. See more tips for scheduling.
Have a quiet space for your child to focus.
Repetition and scheduling are keys to learning.
Go at your child’s pace.
Use headphones or earbuds during game play to limit distracting background noise. Use a splitter for two headphones, or have bluetooth synced. Otherwise, the parent may not be able to easily follow if the audio is in the headphones.
Meet the child’s sensory needs to improve focus–allow a weighted lap pad, use active/flexible seating
Use a prop microphone to aid in singing songs
Bring game to child while child is in the bathtub
Reinforce the words outside of gameplay time. (this will give them more opportunities to Apply the vocabulary)
Provide rewards for children that finish song Sessions.
Start off by playing the game with a computer or a tablet.
Keep a journal of how the child performed each day in terms of overall progress, emotional changes, speed, and engagement (in terms of active playing or needing guidance or incentive to continue).
Enjoy home activities with new words. [...]Read more...
July 28, 2022To make using SS4Kids easier to find on your mobile device, here are some ways you can add SS4Kids to your device’s home screen:
Using an Ipad or Apple Device
Open Safari on your mobile device.
Open the website or web page you want to add to your home screen. For this, we recommend using SS4Kids’ login page. https://game.singandspeak4kids.com/sign_in
Tap the Share icon. (square with an up arrow)
Tap “Add to Home Screen.”
To give the link a new name, tap on the website name in the box that appears. Change the name.
Tap “Add” to add to home screen.
Using an Android Device
Open Chrome on your mobile device.
Open the website or web page you want to add to your home screen. For this, we recommend using SS4Kids’ login page. https://game.singandspeak4kids.com/sign_in
Tap the menu icon or the 3 dots in the upper right-hand corner, and tap Add to home screen.
Once you choose a name for your new website shortcut, you’ll be able to access the game by once click. [...]Read more...
April 16, 2024Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the US alone. The article “CPR Training for Parents and Caregivers: Ensuring Child Safety at Home” emphasizes the vital role of CPR awareness in protecting children. CPR for children differs significantly from that for adults, requiring specific techniques tailored to their needs, involving quick assessments and the application of compressions and rescue breaths. Despite the clear evidence supporting the necessity of CPR training, many parents and caregivers delay seeking help for various reasons. Nonetheless, prioritizing CPR training for these individuals is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of children.
The Basic Life Support (BLS) by the American Heart provides steps for performing emergency CPR on infants and children. Learn these steps.
Other resources for more knowledge surrounding CPR training can be found on the American Heart Association website, as well as online CPR training courses. [...]Read more...
April 11, 2024Many libraries in your local area may offer a wide range of resources and services for families. Here are some common resources that libraries often provide for families.
Books and Media
Libraries boast an extensive collection of books and educational readings that support children and adults of all ages. For early readers, libraries offer captivating stories and picture books that help ignite an early reader’s passion for learning. For adult readers, libraries offer a wide array of books spanning various genres and topics, from parenting resources to personal entertainment.
Storytime and Hands-on Activities
Many libraries host regular storytime sessions tailored to families with young children and early learners. In addition to providing interactive storytelling with sing-alongs and creative activities, these activities also cultivate an interest in reading and nurture early literacy skills essential for early developmental stages.
Digital Resources
Libraries provide access to e-books, audiobooks, online databases, and educational websites. Whether accessed from home or within the library, these resources can be suitable for all families, including those that may have standard reading restrictions.
Computers and Internet Access
Libraries often have computer workstations with internet access that families can use for educational purposes, job searching, accessing online resources, and other needs.
Family Activities and Community Engagement
Some libraries organize family-friendly events such as movie screenings, cultural celebrations, holiday programs, and author readings. Additionally libraries provide opportunities for families to connect with each other through discussion and support groups. [...]Read more...
April 9, 2024Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd. Earth Day is dedicated to recognizing that taking care of our planet is important. Earth gives us soil for us to plant fruits and vegetables, provides water for us to drink, and air for us to live. As Earth Day approaches, here are just a few things you can do with your kids to raise awareness for environmental issues.
Educate Friends and Family of the Importance of Earth Day
It’s very important to educate your friends and family about Earth Day and what they can do to better protect our planet. With the negative environmental factors such as global warming, air pollution, chemical exposure, etc. everyone needs to be educated on these negative effects and what we can do to protect our planet.
Remember to Recycle
By recycling materials we use on a day to day basis we are reducing the amount of waste that ends up at landfills. We are also preventing pollution and reducing greenhouse gasses. Recycling also conserves natural resources and energy.
Limit Water and Light Usage at Home
Even though it may seem like there is an abundance of water, clean drinkable water is actually a limited resource. By turning off the faucet while washing your face, brushing your teeth, or taking shorter showers can conserve gallons of water. In order for electricity to be produced, it comes from fossil fuels which then contributes to climate change. So try your best to conserve electricity as much as you can!
Activities You Can Do to Celebrate
There are so many ways you can celebrate Earth Day with your kids to raise awareness in protecting our planet.
Plant a Garden
Have a Picnic
Take a Hike
Go to the Beach
Visit Local Farmers Market
Make a Bird Feeder
Composting
Create a Nature Journal [...]Read more...
April 1, 2024To help you find resources for you, your family, or your classroom, our UNC interns have provided a list of Autism resources.
Articles from ASHA Leaders that discuss Autism Acceptance and Awareness (geared towards clinicians and teachers):
Developing Bilingual Autism Education for SLPs to Support Latinx Families
An Overlooked, Underserved Group: Older Adults With Autism
ASHA Voices: Autism and Identity: Interrogating the Language We Use
From My Perspective/Opinion: Putting Autistic Voices at the Forefront of Care
Autistic is Me
Accepting Different Opinions About Autism
Replacing the Countdown for Young Kids With Autism
Don’t Change Autistic Play. Join In.
Interventions Targeting Attention in Young Children With Autism
Using Music Activities to Teach Social Skills to Children with Autism
List of Autistic Influencers/Creators to Follow:
The Art of Autism
Autism Influencers You Should Be Following
14 Actually Autistic Influencers You Should Follow on Instagram
Autism From The Inside
Mom on the Spectrum
I’m Autistic, Now What?
I am MindBlind
Haley Moss, advocate, speaker author and attorney
Resources for Spanish Speaking Families:
AutismSpeaks.org
Guides for Parents, Resources for Children, and Guides for Professionals
News, Information, and Activities Pertaining to Autism for Families and Professionals
Espectro Autista
Organization for Autism Research (en Español)
Support Groups and Communities for Individuals with Autism
Autism Communities
Sing and Speak 4 Kids Support GroupThis is a safe place to build community and relations with families and professionals.
Autism Speaks Online Support GroupsOnline support groups all over the United States with family support and community building.
National Autistic Society Online Branches
Facebook Support Groups
Sounds autistic, I’m in: Autistic Older AdultsSupport for Adult AspiesFemales with Aspergers Aspie-Tribe Creative Aspie WomenInternational AsperwomenAsperger’s Syndrome Contact GroupSpectrum of Possibilities Autistics Worldwide Adults with Asperger’s SyndromeAutism EmpowermentAdults with Autism – Emotional SupportAspergers & Autism Safe Room: A Safe Haven for Women on the SpectrumAutistic Not WeirdAutistics UniteAdult Autistic Spectrum CommunitySounds Autistic, I’m InSurprise! You’re AutisticThe Girl with the Curly HairFemales with Autism / Autistic FemalesThis is Autistic CultureAsperger and Autistic FriendshipADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, SPD & Down Syndrome Support GroupPortland Autism GroupHigh Functioning Autism Awareness & SupportAdult Autistic Spectrum CommunityEmbracing AutismAutism Resource Network
Autism Awareness
Understanding Autism
Autism Awareness History
Your “Autism Awareness Day” Might Be Excluding Autistic People
Why Autism Diagnosis is Often Missed in Girls
Getting Involved
Autism Society – Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Documentaries, Movies, and TV Shows
Documentaries
The Horse BoyLife, AnimatedA Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to AutismThe Business of AutismThe Reason I JumpAutism in LoveAutism is a WorldBeyond the Spectrum: A Family’s Year Confronting AutismSounding the Alarm: Battling the Autism Epidemic Loving Lampposts
Movies
Temple GrandinExtremely Loud & Incredibly CloseRain ManWhat’s Eating Gilbert GrapeRain Man (1988)Miracle Man (2004) Jack of the Red Hearts (2015)Please Stand By (2017)
Movies and Series Kids Might Enjoy
Inside OutFinding Nemo
TV Shows for Kids
Pablo (2017) (Cartoon for kids with Autism)Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Hero Elementary
TV Shows for Adults
love on the spectrum Atypical The Good Doctor Extraordinary Attorney Woo Community Parenthood Young Sheldon The Big Bang Theory
Games for Autism Children to Play:
Sing and Speak 4 Kids
General Resources:
Autism Speaks
Resource Guide
Reading Rockets List of Autism Organizations and Web Resources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
National Association of Special Education Teachers
ASPERGER/AUTISM NETWORK
Spectrum News
National Autism Resources
Pathfinders for Autism
Autism Alliance
Inclusive Health Principles and Strategies
Reading and Vocabulary for a Child with Autism
AdvocacyAutism Friendly ServicesEmployment & Post-Secondary EducationEvaluation & DiagnosisHealth & MedicalHousing & Community LivingMulti-service providersRecreation & Community ActivitiesSafetySchoolsState Services & EntitlementsSupportSupport GroupsTreatments & Therapies
Getting Involved:
UNC
Autism Activism
Autism Society of North Carolina
UNC TEACCH Austin Program
Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
UNC Disability Resource Center
SPRU, Special People United to Ride
Website [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023Written by: Danielle Linboom, Intern
When I was young I struggled, both socially and physically, to keep up with my peers. But public awareness of medical and neurobiological conditions wasn’t as advanced back then and access to specialists was limited in many regions. My symptoms weren’t severe so doctors didn’t take them seriously. I was just a clumsy, awkward kid, right?
As an adult I experienced the same thing. Seemingly unrelated chronic health issues with no known cause. Then I became a parent and the cycle started again. My kids had physical complaints that were easily brushed off, and they were deemed developmentally normal based on linguistic ability while their emotional dysregulation was ignored. Eventually, they were diagnosed with clusters of random conditions—Sensory Processing Disorder, chronic migraines, Generalized Anxiety, joint hypermobility, fine and gross motor delays, syncope, etc. All these labels did, though, was describe the symptoms rather than point to a cause. After years of research and pushing for better answers, we found the connection!
Three of my four biological children were identified as autistic in their teen years. It’s common for multiple siblings in a family to be autistic since there is a strong genetic component. However, I was surprised to learn that there was a possible link to their medical issues as well. A growing body of research, including this article from the University of South Carolina, is finding a correlation between autism and connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder. Mothers with EDS are just as likely to have autistic children as mothers who are autistic themselves. The link has largely been unrecognized until now because both conditions are underdiagnosed and identified/treated by different medical professionals.
So what are some of the indicators that a connective tissue disorder might be present? Well, connective tissue is in every system of our body so the effects of weak collagen can be widespread. In addition to highly flexible joints, many people experience:
Clumsiness and poor motor skills
Migraines caused by vascular and hormonal issues or laxity in the spinal column
Jaw problems like TMJ disorders
Varicose veins, even at a young age
Digestive disorders including GERD, delayed stomach emptying, gastroparesis, and constipation
Delayed speech or pronunciation disorders due to affected motor planning and articulation
Easy bruising, poor wound healing, or excessive scarring
Trouble with dizziness, fainting spells, heart rate, or sudden blood pressure changes
Vision issues
Easily fatigued
Odd ways of sitting or walking, poor posture
Immune disorders
Sometimes doctors are unaware of EDS at all or its link to autism, and only 50% of cases can be identified by the genetic testing available now. If you suspect you or your family members have a connective tissue disorder, try searching for local EDS support groups via social media to find knowledgeable doctors and specialists. Assembling the right team of medical professionals is critical to living the healthiest life possible. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023It was previously believed that children with severe language delays, who did not use phrases or speech by age 4, would not go on to develop fluent speech at all. But Marina Sarris of The Kennedy Krieger Institute says research is shedding new light on the subject. A study of over 500 nonverbal or minimally verbal autistic children showed that about 70% had achieved use of phrases or fluent speech by age 8.
The biggest factors in language acquisition seem to be non-verbal IQ and social behaviors like using facial expressions and sharing items. Repetitive interests, sensory issues, and stimming were not factors that influenced outcomes. They also said that children who developed speech after age 8 were hindered more by anxiety symptoms than cognitive abilities. You can find the full study here. Participants in this study had only one child in the family diagnosed with autism and no genetic disorders; more research is needed to know if these findings apply more broadly.
The biggest take-aways from the findings are the importance of continued work on joint attention and pro-social activities, as well as language development intervention. The most effective strategies are those that encourage communication while socializing. Despite previous beliefs, the window of opportunity may be bigger than we thought. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023When we think of children learning language, we probably think of the typical process. They learn individual words, gradually start putting two or three together, and work their way up to sentences with proper grammar. But some kids learn language by an entirely different process and many of them are autistic. Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs) start by memorizing phrases and scripts from their environment, typically in the exact same tone or melody in which they heard them. This type of delayed echolalia is purposeful communication. With the right support, a GLP will progress to other stages–breaking apart the scripts into smaller pieces and individual words. Eventually they will create their own novel sentences to express thoughts and feelings. This article by Lily Konyn of AssistiveWear explains it in more detail. While not all autistic children or children who exhibit echolalia are GLPs, knowing about this method of language learning is important for parents of children who are. AAC users who are GLPs may need some modifications, too. Modeling multi-word combinations rather than individual words may be more meaningful to them. They also might want their favorite scripts, or phrases for daily activities rather than single words. To find clinicians near you trained in working with children who use scripting, check out www.meaningfulspeechregistry.com. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023If a child isn’t quite hitting the expected language milestones, or perhaps their sibling used more words at the same age, it might cause their parents some concern. So how do you know if your child is just moving at their own pace or if there’s a problem? Unfortunately, there’s no way to know for certain. ASHA gives some guidelines to help caregivers be aware of risk factors that might indicate language difficulties, though.
Does your child understand what you say? Kids who struggle with receptive language may also have expressive language delays
Does your child use gestures? Things like pointing, waving, or raising their arms to be held are good signs that point toward future language growth
Is your child learning new words? Even if the pace is different from their peers, children should still be learning and trying to use new words each month
No matter what, trust your intuition. If you have concerns, seek an evaluation from a speech language pathologist rather than waiting to see if they “outgrow” their language delays. An SLP can help measure your child’s abilities, track their progress, and give you activities to do at home to encourage language development. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023Have you ever wished you could learn a new instrument without so much energy, coordination, and practice required? What if you could create music just by thinking about it? CBC Radio spoke with neurologist, Dr. Thomas Deuel, who invented exactly that! The encephalophone is a device that converts the electrical activity in the brain to musical notes using a computer-brain interface. With a short amount of training, participants could create the notes they were thinking of with surprising accuracy. Not only will this technology improve in the future, Dr. Deuel hopes that it can be adapted to help people with disabilities with cognitive and motor rehabilitation. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023The link between music and speech can make it a very effective tool in both language acquisition as well as overcoming language disorders. Both music and language use similar higher cognitive functions and subprocesses; they also share use of organized structure and pitch variations. Music’s unique properties may increase neurological functioning and allow individuals with a variety of communication disorders to improve their linguistic function according to this research paper by Torry Farnell.
While there are many ways for SLPs and OTs to incorporate music in their own practice, music therapy is an evidence-based practice in its own right as well. ASHA has provided this helpful guide on collaborating with music therapists. Some of their suggestions for multidisciplinary practice include:
Clear communication about goals and scope of practice
Utilize each other’s strengths
Share information and ideas
Be patient—sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error for collaborations to run smoothly
Don’t assume that everyone shares your perspective. Be open to new ideas
Work in the best interest of the patient without getting competitive
Collaborations can be fun and provide many benefits for your clients. Be proactive in reaching out to other therapists to learn more. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023Speech and language are complicated processes depending on many systems of the body working in harmony—respiratory, oral motor, auditory, and neurological. Because of this, there are many different types of communication disorders. They can be present at birth or develop later in life. Some of these include:
Hearing loss and deafness
Speech fluency problems like stuttering
Developmental and learning disabilities
Difficulties with the brain’s ability to recognize or produce words and sounds
Weakness in muscles of the mouth, or problems coordinating the movements required for articulation
Cleft lip or palate
Brain injury and stroke
Medline Plus has compiled useful resources for learning more about these disorders and finding the appropriate treatments and medical care. Visit their site for more information! [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023While there are many beneficial uses for technology, recent studies have shown some concerning trends. A four-year-long study of almost 900 young children has shown that handheld screens, in particular, may present a risk to children’s speech development. For each 30 minute increase in handheld screen use per day, the risk of the child having expressive speech delays increased by 49%.
Read more about this study, and check out our blog on the AAP’s recommendations for healthy limits on children’s use of electronics here. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023There are many benefits to bilingualism! In the past, misconceptions about language development and learning led many educators to endorse English-only approaches for children. However, encouraging students to use both their languages will help them thrive, according to the Department of Education. Most importantly, the emotional well-being that comes from strong ties to one’s culture and identity are fostered through language. It Is also a wonderful skill to have in an increasingly diverse world. There are cognitive gains, too; bilingual people tend to have an easier time with tasks like logic, solving math problems, focus, and abstract thought.
According to Viorica Marian and Anthony Shook from the Dana Foundation, bilingualism has positive effects across the lifespan. Their executive function skills tend to be stronger, and their brain’s structures and processing often allow for more efficient learning. The neurological benefits of being bilingual can even protect individuals from age-related memory decline.
Receiving support from their schools can make all the difference for bilingual families and children, and with research highlighting the many positive aspects of being multilingual there is every reason to encourage linguistic diversity. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023Early intervention, or receiving services like speech and occupational therapy before age 3, has been linked to greater improvements in early skill mastery and later abilities. The earlier children can receive assessment, support for areas of difficulty, and progress monitoring, the better their outcomes will be—especially in language. As speech language pathologist Lauren Lowry explains in her article for Special Needs Project, research shows kids whose first words occur before age 2 tend to have the strongest cognitive and linguistic skills when they are older. However, considerable gains are also possible until 6 years old with intervention; linguistic development doesn’t stop after that, but it levels off to a steady rate. That’s why the jump start that early intervention provides is so important!
If you have concerns about your child’s language, these are steps Lowry recommends:
Contact an SLP to have your child evaluated rather than holding off to see if communication issues resolve on their own. Early diagnosis and treatment make a big difference.
Document as much as you can about your child’s skills and progress. Include both verbal and non-verbal behaviors like gesturing and playing with sounds. Information about home language use will help the SLP with the evaluation process.
Focus on pre-linguistic skills that support linguistic development like joint attention, imitation, and toy play.
The earlier a child receives support the better their outcomes are likely to be. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023Technology is more a part of our life than ever. We all know that screen time has positive and negative effects on our children. The key is to help guide kids to make smart media choices and to have healthy limits. Current guidelines from The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for each age group are:
Less than 18 months–no screens except video chatting with an adult
18 to 24 months–watching educational programming together with a caregiver
2 to 5 years old–limit non-educational screen usage to 1 hour on week days and 3 hours on weekends
6+ years old–have ongoing discussions about healthy media consumption and limit activities that involve screens
The American Academy of Pediatrics has many useful articles and tools to help families have discussions about screen usage and internet safety including a guide to help your family create its own media plan.
Both organizations stress the importance of prioritizing educational media, avoiding depictions of violence, utilizing parental controls, turning off screens during mealtimes, and taking steps to prevent online bullying. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023More research is being done every day on the positive effect that music has on children’s neurological development. Some findings in recent years show powerful connections between music and language in addition to overall cognitive function.
According to Molly McElroy, infant play sessions that include a musical component are associated with cognitive gains. Research from the University of Washington shows rhythmic patterns have an impact on the auditory cortex and prefrontal cortex–areas of the brain associated with controlling focus and pattern recognition.
Scienceblogs.com says another study suggests a link between music and one of the earliest and most difficult tasks of language development, finding the boundaries between words. In everyday speech, there are no pauses between each word. This means infants must find patterns to recognize which syllables go together. The extra context in musical phrases makes them more efficient at recognizing words.
Even school-aged children can see continued neurological benefits from musical instruction! A group of 6 and 7 year olds in Los Angeles were given musical training through a youth orchestra program; their counterparts received either no extracurricular activity or a non-musical activity like sports. The University of Southern California’s research, measuring electrical activity in the brain, shows that the budding musicians’ auditory systems developed faster than either of the other groups.These gains improve not only musical ability but critical language and communication skills as well. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023In an article from Different Brains, John Mavros explains the importance of exposing babies and toddlers to a variety of language and stimuli during those critical years when their brains are creating new synapses every day. A strong connection to caregivers that interact with the child often is the most important factor in creating a foundation for the child’s future learning. He suggests activities such as singing together, reading to your child, using audio books, talking about daily activities, and staying involved in their classroom.
Read more about supporting your child’s early neurodevelopment. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023How do babies learn language? Researcher Patricia Kuhl has studied how babies go from being universal listeners–able to distinguish all the sounds of every language–to specialists in their native language by their first birthday. Exciting new technology is showing us how learning occurs in that most flexible period from birth to age 7, and what exciting possibilities this understanding might hold in the future. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023A study conducted by Music Therapy Perspectives researched the effectiveness of music for speech and language development in early childhood populations.
They looked at the neurological effects of music through music perception and music training. Music perception is defined as the cognitive and psychological processes at work in how children perceive and interpret music. On the other hand, Music training is the systematic and structured process of learning and acquiring musical techniques. Through analysis of the neurological effects of music in child populations, the reachers offered a number of thoughtful clinical recommendations for clinicians utilizing music for early intervention and language acquisition.
Read more about these clinical recommendations. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023There are many benefits to using electronic media for children. However, it is also essential to consider the implications of electronic media exposure. A study showed that exposure to screen time negatively affects expressive vocabulary in children between 18 and 24 months of age.
This study highlights the importance of limiting screen time use in children. Additionally, parents should be cognizant of the type of media and content that children are consuming while on their screens.
Read more about this study. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023Written by: Danielle Linboom, Intern
Focusing the brain to receive, sort, and retain information is a complex process! Kids with sensory sensitivities may have even more difficulty because of their unseen needs.
Dealing with sensory discomfort or overwhelm is like having alarm bells going off in your head that can’t be turned off. Young children and those with language delays often struggle to feel and cue into their own body’s sensations or describe the problem. This can lead to distractibility and meltdowns. Putting so much energy into regulating sensory input doesn’t leave as much for paying attention.
Each child is unique! They can be sensory seeking or avoidant. Circumstances that trigger another child may not bother yours. And the level of severity can vary day to day based on mood, sleep patterns, and other factors.
Here are some things to try that might make the learning environment more accessible for all kids, but especially those with extra sensory regulation needs:
Before you start—preparation can go a long way! Offer a snack or bathroom break, don’t schedule intense learning activities too close to nap or bedtime, and make sure clothing and room temperature are comfortable.
Movement—Either before seated learning or breaks between learning sessions, give opportunity for large muscle group movement. Play outside, jump on an exercise trampoline, or do jumping jacks together. Active/flexible seating is a way to meet the need for movement during play because it causes them to engage their core muscles to stay seated. Exercise balls, wobble chairs, balance boards, and inflatable seat cushions are some of the options.
Deep pressure—steady, moderate pressure can calm the nervous system and help achieve a better mental state for learning. A weighted lap pad, vest, or stuffed animal provides this type of input. So do hugs, “base layer” type compression shirts often used for sports, or wrapping up snugly in a blanket, as tolerated.
Fidgets—it may seem counterintuitive, but some kids have a harder time absorbing information if they are sitting still, with quiet hands, and neurotypical eye contact. There are many ways to satisfy the need to fidget during learning. The first might be instinctive for your child—stimming by playing with their hands, tapping, twirling hair, or rocking back and forth. Non-harmful stimming should be allowed when possible. A variety of small fidget and sensory toys are widely available, but if those present too much of a distraction, try allowing doodling while listening, textured stickers to touch, scented objects, or background music (depending on the situation).
With time, you will become more attuned to your child’s preferences, and they may learn to be self-advocate making it easier to predict and meet sensory needs. Sensory regulation is a valuable skill to many areas of the daily routine. Happy learning! [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023A study from Université de Montréal and McGill University is exploring the effect music has on the language of autistic children. Therapy involving singing and playing instruments was shown to improve the social communication skills of the participants. Their resting-state brain connectivity also increased. This research supports music as a valuable therapeutic activity for autistic individuals.
Read more [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023Written by: Danielle Linboom, Intern
Currently, many autistic children receive an official diagnosis when they are still quite young due to increasing use of screening tools by most pediatricians and programs like Early Intervention. But there are reasons why a child might not be identified in early childhood. They may not present with more commonly recognized traits. Autism is often missed in girls for this reason, and a recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that it takes an average of three years between the time Black parents first express concerns about their child’s development and referral for evaluation. It might have been masked by or mistaken for another diagnosis. Or perhaps the child was not in a public school setting and simply didn’t need a formal evaluation to receive accommodations. A surprisingly common reason, due to the genetic component of autism, is that some parents are undiagnosed but have many neurodivergent traits themselves; it is less likely that behaviors will be mentioned to the pediatrician if those “quirks” or dislikes are common within the family.
Five of my six children are neurodivergent and were late-diagnosed due to a combination of these factors. When an older child or teen is referred to to an autism specialist, the process is a bit different than the typical evaluation for toddlers. So what does it look like? Here is our experience! The first step is paperwork–lots of paperwork! Because the team cannot observe early childhood milestones in real time, you will be asked many questions that thoroughly detail their development and any previous behaviors or issues you noticed when they were younger. They will also ask for any current concerns or reasons you suspect your child might be autistic. After they have processed that intake paperwork, there are two appointments that typically last 1.5 to 2 hours each.
The first one is for evaluation. The doctor will spend about half the appointment interviewing both parent and child–sometimes together and sometimes individually. This allows them to observe your child’s response, but also to get more clarification on relevant past and current events. There will also likely be more paperwork. There are a variety of standardized questionnaires, some specifically about autistic behaviors and others about general life and social skills. Your provider will choose the best ones based on the age of your child. They may also ask a teacher to fill out a form about how your child interacts in the school environment.
The second portion of the appointment was direct observation. Normally at our clinic, the doctor guides the child through a standardized set of activities and questions. However, they were still observing COVID protocols, so they used a shortened version where the parent and child do activities together while the doctor observes from another room. This allowed them to safely observe us mask-free since facial expressions are an important component of the testing.
When we came back for the second appointment, it was to discuss the results of the evaluations. My children had the option to participate in this session or not. This visit can bring up a variety of feelings. Maybe your teen has felt different their whole life and getting an autism diagnosis is affirming and makes them feel as if their identity is valid. Perhaps your child is really struggling in school, but doesn’t meet the criteria and you are worried they won’t get the support they need without an official diagnosis. Or maybe you suspected autism, but hearing it confirmed is difficult for you. All those feelings are valid and it’s completely ok to take as much time as you need to sit with them and process it.
The last part of our visit was recommendations. Where do we go from here? Thankfully, our clinic doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. They also don’t believe that autistic kids all need to be in intensive therapy to make them look or act neurotypical. The doctor learned about each of them as individuals, their current school and career path, and goals that are meaningful to them. The primary consideration was mental health–what medication or type of therapy they might need to make sure they are thriving. Honestly, I think this is an important health factor for any person, not just autistic people.
Next we talked about school support. Some of my kids are in the perfect environment for them, but some need an IEP in place to make sure they are getting complete access to their education. We also discussed life skills and the transition to adulthood. Each kid has their own path, but it’s worth exploring what programs are in your area so you and your child don’t have to do it alone.
Finally, we discussed social skills. This might be surprising, but none of my children were automatically referred to autism-specific support groups or social activities. The clinic staff talked to the kids about their strengths and weaknesses. About balancing the desire to fit in with the need to be authentic, and which special interests might offer a way to connect with others. The clinic was great at brainstorming ways to expand their comfort zones gradually without causing distress.
It can be a lengthy process, especially if there is a wait list to be evaluated, full of unknowns. But if you have concerns about your child, your family might benefit from learning more and receiving support. Talk to their primary care provider about how to connect with resources in your area. [...]Read more...
November 16, 2022SS4Kids is proud to promote Music Mends Minds during National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. We have had the pleasure to attend a few of Los Angeles’ Music Mends Minds musical events and were very touched by their beautiful performances and stories. Getting to know the founder and Executive Director, Carol Rosenstein, was inspiring as we had the opportunity to talk about SS4Kids and how we use music to help children with speech delays. Like SS4Kids, they foster worldwide communities among afflicted individuals and their families, friends, volunteers, and caregivers, all of whom can thrive on socialization and music-making. This Los Angeles-based nonprofit that creates musical support groups for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders has now over 18 bands nationally and globally with even more in the pipeline.
Music evokes emotions and memories, which is why musical intervention has therapeutic benefits for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Musical interventions have been shown to decrease a patient’s agitation and improve communication and caregiver relationships. In our population of young children with speech delays, we’ve found clinical evidence of the effectiveness of music in enhancing their brain functions.
We hope to someday collaborate with Music Mends Minds, bridging the benefits of music therapy from early childhood to seniors. [...]Read more...
October 28, 2022By: Dr. Christopher R. Harz, EdD, MBA
Advisor for SS4Kids
US veterans and active military with autistic children often wonder about two issues:
Do families with ASD children have increased stress?
Are additional therapies needed for such families?
The extent of veterans’ stress and depression is well known. Over 500,000 have PTSD (according to a RAND study), and hundreds of thousands have problems with dependency for drugs or alcohol. Articles on veterans’ stress usually focus on combat or similar conditions as being the sole cause, and do not consider additional challenges from special-needs family members.
To address the first question, a recent test published in the Journal of Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders found that almost one out of five (18.6%) of non-military families with ASD children met the criteria for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The incidence was especially high for parents whose kids displayed physical aggression or self-harm. This test was for hundreds of civilian families without the added problems of miliary families due to combat trauma, constantly moving, and lack of available ASD treatment in the military healthcare system. Military families also have the recent burden of losing access—one out of five families can no longer get school-based ASD therapy, according to the Association of Defense Communities (ADC).
The incidence of extreme stress among military families with ASD kids is highlighted by an unusual requirement for funding and access for the primary treatment for such children. This remedy, known as ABA or Applied Behavioral Analysis, is an intervention treatment that uses operant conditioning—praise and rewards for desired behavior, and occasional negative responses for undesirable behavior. It is delivered by a mental health expert several times a week for months or years. To be eligible, families must submit a “Stress Assessment,” a measure by a standardized test such as the Parenting Stress Index. This test is not required for any other type of treatment. It presumably identifies especially high levels of parental stress for ASD cases, as treatment resources are overburdened. It must be repeated every six months.
One can conclude that the stress levels for families with ASD heaped on top of the stress of military families suffering from battle trauma and scarcity of mental healthcare can readily become critical.
For the second question, the existing primary ASD treatment, ABA, has had criticism with its strict focus on its rewards and punishments to change behaviors, and a lack of nourishing vital inner needs of children. A search is on for more supportive treatments.
One such vital need that ABA does not support is gameplay. Recent research emphasizes that gameplay is not just entertainment, but is vital for brain and mental health development. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states, “It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers.” AAP studies indicate that play is crucial in all areas for children, including the development of language, social awareness, and emotional intelligence. On its website it states that at the very minimum, a child should have 30 minutes of guided play each day, and at least one hour of free playtime.
Unfortunately, ASD children tend to lack the ability to play; in fact, a lack of playfulness can be a predictor of ASD at an early age. They need availability and guidance for gameplay, especially exploratory and social playing. It is interesting to note that professional dog trainers also support extensive gameplay, rather than nonstop training, especially for shy or aggressive animals that are hesitant to start such interactions. Gameplay should be not only fun and stimulating, but also introduce challenges (to develop what researchers call a child’s “locus of control”) and support the ability to give and read social cues with others (also known as “framing”).
iQsonics, based in Santa Monica, California, provides this vital ingredient of gameplay for autistic children with its Sing and Speak 4 Kids musical learning games, using videogame techniques that help parents guide and encourage gameplay for their ASD children. Music, colorful game characters, and compelling motivational goals result in laughter, learning vocabulary, meeting challenges, and an increased willingness to interact with the outside world. And, this opportunity is readily available to parents. Without the need for any Stress Assessments. [...]Read more...
October 27, 2022We’ve all been there. Our day gets packed with activities and appointments, and our kids beg for our attention. Throw in a daylight savings time change and our entire week is now off course. Keeping kids on a regular schedule or routine can really help impact both our children’s day-to-day and our own. Here are some helpful ways to keep your kids on a schedule:
Go to bed every night at the same time and wake up every morning at the same time.
Create the same routine in the morning. Get up. Use bathroom. Brush teeth. Get dressed. Make bed.
Create the same routine at night. Use bathroom. Brush teeth. Put on PJs. Read bedtime story.
Keep in mind of child’s age. For younger kids, set smaller expectations. As they grow, set larger expectations and communicate these expectations with your child.
Use a chart to help your kids know what to do when. There are several free charts available on the world-wide-web for you to try and tweak for your needs. Here are chart ideas we found on Pinterest.
Be patient, consistent, and keep to the schedule. If your kids see you drifting away from the schedule, they will follow your example.
Let your kids help you make their schedule. If they participate in the creation, there is a better chance they will stick to it.
Evaluate the schedule every few weeks and tweak anything that isn’t working.
Don’t worry! You’ve got this and you have us for support! [...]Read more...
October 18, 2022By: Sandi AndersonMother of SS4Kids team member, Joel Anderson
Greetings Friends,
This is an exciting month to honor Disability Employment Month because Joel Anderson has been able to return to Public Speaking and events! He has volunteered with The Autism Tree Project Foundation for almost 20 years, and when possible ATPF commissions Joel for a very special artwork to be used on the cover of the ATPF International Neuroscience Conference Program and to present to all the speakers and volunteers. Joel also had the unique opportunity to speak at Cimmaron Memorial High School to their Varsity Football Team and High School Homecoming Pep Rallies to over 2000 students helping to launch the new buddy program with the Football Team and the special education students!
Temple Grandin once encouraged Joel that volunteering can get you in the door to someday turn into a paid opportunity. She was right! So often everyone just wants that high paying job from the first time out of the gate and that is so rare. You need to start somewhere.
Joel continues to get art commissions and sales through events with The Art of Autism, D’Vine Path Program and Art Studios and his many connections.
Even during the Covid years, Joel was commissioned to illustrate 3 children’s books “Rudy’s Stories” (now he has done a total of 6!)
I am proud of Joel for being willing to go to events and meet new people and to join opportunities in our community like the Fallbrook Art Association where last month he had a piece purchased by our State Senator Brian Jones. Senator Jones even called and asked to meet Joel in person and he and his staff drove over to take photos with Joel and some of his friends at the D’Vine Path Program and Art Studios!
This weekend we enjoyed having Joel’s art along with his fellow artists of The Art of Autism with the Mainly Mozart Concert events in Del Mar. Joel’s new Composer Series are now available on Beautiful Totes, Everything Bags and handmade Silk Scarves. They have been a big hit!
Joel still has the desire to be able to have a consistent job in the art field and or video production. In the meantime we are blessed for his art to create and share a Smile with the world! [...]Read more...
October 6, 2022Let’s all stop for a minute and take a deep breath.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
It’s easy to get lost in the hustle of our day-to-day, but it’s important to “stop and smell the roses.” Mental Health isn’t just about seeking professional help when you are at the bottom of a hole with no way out. It’s about recognizing the daily moments when we just need to take a second and stop to breathe in and breathe out. If we don’t recognize the small moments when we need to stop, then it could be possible that we’ve already begun to dig our hole.
Teachers, do you have those moments during the day that you wish you could just run right out of your classroom?
Parents, how about you? When was the last time you were able to go to the bathroom without hearing, “Mom! Dad!”
We’ve all been there and have all had our own personal moments. We are here to say, “It’s going to be okay. You can lean on us. Just breath in and breath out.”
Here are a few ways to practice self care according to EveryDayHealth.com:
Eat a diet rich in fruits and veggies
Meditate
Spend time in nature
Take dedicated breaks from electronics
Start a gratitude journal
Exercise
Live in the present moment
Get enough quality sleep
Be king to yourself
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health AwarenessWorld Mental Health DaySAMHSA’s National HelplineMental Health America [...]Read more...
October 5, 2022By: Kathleen M. Howard, Ph.D.
Advisor for SS4Kids
www.kathleenhowland.com
I recently saw the documentary Bully on Netflix. My heart was broken for the bullying endured by tender and vulnerable children. Bullying has long created a false hierarchy. People who look a certain way or act a certain way are targeted for peer rejection, abuse and even violence. How can we as adults help to decrease these acts?
Typically how adults address bullying includes posters, assemblies and reminders. I typically ask my college students if they had K to 12 school programs and assemblies on this subject. They generally all say, “Yes.” When I ask them about the content, they don’t remember what they learned. They don’t recall the stories or a lesson beyond just don’t do it.
The content of these lessons need to be more memorable in order to change behavioral patterns and influence societal norms. And I think we should be looking at prevention instead of trying to undo patterns that are already set in motion. Perhaps a song is in order, an ear worm that plays over and over, one where the message is readily recalled even in a stressful moment.
The song Don’t laugh at me is a great start. The song was written by Allen Shamblin and Steve Seskin and recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary on their albums Songs of Conscience and Concern. A later recording by Mark Wills earned the artist a number 2 placement on the Billboard country charts and an award by the Country Music Association for song and video in the year of 1998. The verses describes the vulnerable people who are prone to bullying- the kid who’s always chosen last, the kid who is called a “geek,” the homeless person holding a sign for money or food. The chorus is the message that needs to get sticky in a child’s brain:
Don’t laugh at me, don’t call me names
Don’t get your pleasure from my pain
In adult programming, we think to change the mindset of the bully. With a song, we can empower the person being bullied to create responses. If this song is taught to very young children, they grow up with a broader and more empathic view.
I work in an urban neighborhood that is rife with issues related to homelessness. In the past 5 years, it has gotten noticeably. While I am conscious of my safety, especially at night, my heart has been transformed by the line from the song that says:
I lost my wife and little boy when someone crossed that yellow line
The day we laid ’em in the ground is the day I lost my mind
Right now I’m down to holdin’ this little cardboard sign
I see the humanity in the person. It reminds me that nobody is in this position because their life path was uneventful, happy and supported. They are here with trauma, addictions and hopelessness. The song always reminds me to keep my heart open and it can do the same for children.
The song also presents a format that is open to adding lyrics that children can write, tailoring the song to their situation and life experiences. As children grow older, they can learn to sing it in harmony and continue to grow with it emphatically and musically. This writing serves as a reminder and invitation to songwriters to write music that can reflect empathy and social consciousness. They might ascend the charts and contribute to the world at the same time.
Bullying Awareness Resources
Dealing with bullying – a guide for parents and carers
Bullying: Tips for Parents
Understanding Bullying and Cyberbullying
Bullying: What to do if I’m bullied
Helpful vs Harmful: Ways to Manage Emotions
Websites and Apps to be Aware of: A Cheat Sheet for Parents
National Bullying Prevention Month
Exploring the Involvement of Bullying Among Students with Disabilities Over Time
Recognize, Respond, Report: Preventing and Addressing Bullying of Students with Special Needs
Effects of Bullying
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
StopBullying.gov [...]Read more...
July 18, 2022In June 2022, CEO David Sonnenschein and CSO Annie Goeke visited Royal BC Museum to learn about First Nations languages and their significance to the culture and heritage of this region of the world. As the UN declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples declares language to be a human right, this exhibit celebrates the resilience and diversity of First Nations languages in the face of change.
Through interactive stations, original artwork, video, audio and live engagement, Our Living Language exhibit is a way to learn about the complexity of these oral languages. It is believed that the children will bring these languages back to life and many are now being learned through song.
An example is this video of how Indigenous students from Manitoba’s Red River College learned Ojibwe through music that has the power to evoke emotions, heal and educate.
Learn more about Living Languages. [...]Read more...
April 1, 2024To help you find resources for you, your family, or your classroom, our UNC interns have provided a list of Autism resources.
Articles from ASHA Leaders that discuss Autism Acceptance and Awareness (geared towards clinicians and teachers):
Developing Bilingual Autism Education for SLPs to Support Latinx Families
An Overlooked, Underserved Group: Older Adults With Autism
ASHA Voices: Autism and Identity: Interrogating the Language We Use
From My Perspective/Opinion: Putting Autistic Voices at the Forefront of Care
Autistic is Me
Accepting Different Opinions About Autism
Replacing the Countdown for Young Kids With Autism
Don’t Change Autistic Play. Join In.
Interventions Targeting Attention in Young Children With Autism
Using Music Activities to Teach Social Skills to Children with Autism
List of Autistic Influencers/Creators to Follow:
The Art of Autism
Autism Influencers You Should Be Following
14 Actually Autistic Influencers You Should Follow on Instagram
Autism From The Inside
Mom on the Spectrum
I’m Autistic, Now What?
I am MindBlind
Haley Moss, advocate, speaker author and attorney
Resources for Spanish Speaking Families:
AutismSpeaks.org
Guides for Parents, Resources for Children, and Guides for Professionals
News, Information, and Activities Pertaining to Autism for Families and Professionals
Espectro Autista
Organization for Autism Research (en Español)
Support Groups and Communities for Individuals with Autism
Autism Communities
Sing and Speak 4 Kids Support GroupThis is a safe place to build community and relations with families and professionals.
Autism Speaks Online Support GroupsOnline support groups all over the United States with family support and community building.
National Autistic Society Online Branches
Facebook Support Groups
Sounds autistic, I’m in: Autistic Older AdultsSupport for Adult AspiesFemales with Aspergers Aspie-Tribe Creative Aspie WomenInternational AsperwomenAsperger’s Syndrome Contact GroupSpectrum of Possibilities Autistics Worldwide Adults with Asperger’s SyndromeAutism EmpowermentAdults with Autism – Emotional SupportAspergers & Autism Safe Room: A Safe Haven for Women on the SpectrumAutistic Not WeirdAutistics UniteAdult Autistic Spectrum CommunitySounds Autistic, I’m InSurprise! You’re AutisticThe Girl with the Curly HairFemales with Autism / Autistic FemalesThis is Autistic CultureAsperger and Autistic FriendshipADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, SPD & Down Syndrome Support GroupPortland Autism GroupHigh Functioning Autism Awareness & SupportAdult Autistic Spectrum CommunityEmbracing AutismAutism Resource Network
Autism Awareness
Understanding Autism
Autism Awareness History
Your “Autism Awareness Day” Might Be Excluding Autistic People
Why Autism Diagnosis is Often Missed in Girls
Getting Involved
Autism Society – Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Documentaries, Movies, and TV Shows
Documentaries
The Horse BoyLife, AnimatedA Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to AutismThe Business of AutismThe Reason I JumpAutism in LoveAutism is a WorldBeyond the Spectrum: A Family’s Year Confronting AutismSounding the Alarm: Battling the Autism Epidemic Loving Lampposts
Movies
Temple GrandinExtremely Loud & Incredibly CloseRain ManWhat’s Eating Gilbert GrapeRain Man (1988)Miracle Man (2004) Jack of the Red Hearts (2015)Please Stand By (2017)
Movies and Series Kids Might Enjoy
Inside OutFinding Nemo
TV Shows for Kids
Pablo (2017) (Cartoon for kids with Autism)Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Hero Elementary
TV Shows for Adults
love on the spectrum Atypical The Good Doctor Extraordinary Attorney Woo Community Parenthood Young Sheldon The Big Bang Theory
Games for Autism Children to Play:
Sing and Speak 4 Kids
General Resources:
Autism Speaks
Resource Guide
Reading Rockets List of Autism Organizations and Web Resources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
National Association of Special Education Teachers
ASPERGER/AUTISM NETWORK
Spectrum News
National Autism Resources
Pathfinders for Autism
Autism Alliance
Inclusive Health Principles and Strategies
Reading and Vocabulary for a Child with Autism
AdvocacyAutism Friendly ServicesEmployment & Post-Secondary EducationEvaluation & DiagnosisHealth & MedicalHousing & Community LivingMulti-service providersRecreation & Community ActivitiesSafetySchoolsState Services & EntitlementsSupportSupport GroupsTreatments & Therapies
Getting Involved:
UNC
Autism Activism
Autism Society of North Carolina
UNC TEACCH Austin Program
Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
UNC Disability Resource Center
SPRU, Special People United to Ride
Website [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023We would like to recommend this book, A Day With No Words, by Tiffany Hammond, which depicts the life of an Autism Family. It helps to illustrate what many families go through, their challenges, their successes, and how to be a family.
Learn more about A Day With No Words. [...]Read more...
July 6, 2023Written by: Danielle Linboom, Intern
When I was young I struggled, both socially and physically, to keep up with my peers. But public awareness of medical and neurobiological conditions wasn’t as advanced back then and access to specialists was limited in many regions. My symptoms weren’t severe so doctors didn’t take them seriously. I was just a clumsy, awkward kid, right?
As an adult I experienced the same thing. Seemingly unrelated chronic health issues with no known cause. Then I became a parent and the cycle started again. My kids had physical complaints that were easily brushed off, and they were deemed developmentally normal based on linguistic ability while their emotional dysregulation was ignored. Eventually, they were diagnosed with clusters of random conditions—Sensory Processing Disorder, chronic migraines, Generalized Anxiety, joint hypermobility, fine and gross motor delays, syncope, etc. All these labels did, though, was describe the symptoms rather than point to a cause. After years of research and pushing for better answers, we found the connection!
Three of my four biological children were identified as autistic in their teen years. It’s common for multiple siblings in a family to be autistic since there is a strong genetic component. However, I was surprised to learn that there was a possible link to their medical issues as well. A growing body of research, including this article from the University of South Carolina, is finding a correlation between autism and connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder. Mothers with EDS are just as likely to have autistic children as mothers who are autistic themselves. The link has largely been unrecognized until now because both conditions are underdiagnosed and identified/treated by different medical professionals.
So what are some of the indicators that a connective tissue disorder might be present? Well, connective tissue is in every system of our body so the effects of weak collagen can be widespread. In addition to highly flexible joints, many people experience:
Clumsiness and poor motor skills
Migraines caused by vascular and hormonal issues or laxity in the spinal column
Jaw problems like TMJ disorders
Varicose veins, even at a young age
Digestive disorders including GERD, delayed stomach emptying, gastroparesis, and constipation
Delayed speech or pronunciation disorders due to affected motor planning and articulation
Easy bruising, poor wound healing, or excessive scarring
Trouble with dizziness, fainting spells, heart rate, or sudden blood pressure changes
Vision issues
Easily fatigued
Odd ways of sitting or walking, poor posture
Immune disorders
Sometimes doctors are unaware of EDS at all or its link to autism, and only 50% of cases can be identified by the genetic testing available now. If you suspect you or your family members have a connective tissue disorder, try searching for local EDS support groups via social media to find knowledgeable doctors and specialists. Assembling the right team of medical professionals is critical to living the healthiest life possible. [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023A study from Université de Montréal and McGill University is exploring the effect music has on the language of autistic children. Therapy involving singing and playing instruments was shown to improve the social communication skills of the participants. Their resting-state brain connectivity also increased. This research supports music as a valuable therapeutic activity for autistic individuals.
Read more [...]Read more...
July 5, 2023Written by: Danielle Linboom, Intern
Currently, many autistic children receive an official diagnosis when they are still quite young due to increasing use of screening tools by most pediatricians and programs like Early Intervention. But there are reasons why a child might not be identified in early childhood. They may not present with more commonly recognized traits. Autism is often missed in girls for this reason, and a recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that it takes an average of three years between the time Black parents first express concerns about their child’s development and referral for evaluation. It might have been masked by or mistaken for another diagnosis. Or perhaps the child was not in a public school setting and simply didn’t need a formal evaluation to receive accommodations. A surprisingly common reason, due to the genetic component of autism, is that some parents are undiagnosed but have many neurodivergent traits themselves; it is less likely that behaviors will be mentioned to the pediatrician if those “quirks” or dislikes are common within the family.
Five of my six children are neurodivergent and were late-diagnosed due to a combination of these factors. When an older child or teen is referred to to an autism specialist, the process is a bit different than the typical evaluation for toddlers. So what does it look like? Here is our experience! The first step is paperwork–lots of paperwork! Because the team cannot observe early childhood milestones in real time, you will be asked many questions that thoroughly detail their development and any previous behaviors or issues you noticed when they were younger. They will also ask for any current concerns or reasons you suspect your child might be autistic. After they have processed that intake paperwork, there are two appointments that typically last 1.5 to 2 hours each.
The first one is for evaluation. The doctor will spend about half the appointment interviewing both parent and child–sometimes together and sometimes individually. This allows them to observe your child’s response, but also to get more clarification on relevant past and current events. There will also likely be more paperwork. There are a variety of standardized questionnaires, some specifically about autistic behaviors and others about general life and social skills. Your provider will choose the best ones based on the age of your child. They may also ask a teacher to fill out a form about how your child interacts in the school environment.
The second portion of the appointment was direct observation. Normally at our clinic, the doctor guides the child through a standardized set of activities and questions. However, they were still observing COVID protocols, so they used a shortened version where the parent and child do activities together while the doctor observes from another room. This allowed them to safely observe us mask-free since facial expressions are an important component of the testing.
When we came back for the second appointment, it was to discuss the results of the evaluations. My children had the option to participate in this session or not. This visit can bring up a variety of feelings. Maybe your teen has felt different their whole life and getting an autism diagnosis is affirming and makes them feel as if their identity is valid. Perhaps your child is really struggling in school, but doesn’t meet the criteria and you are worried they won’t get the support they need without an official diagnosis. Or maybe you suspected autism, but hearing it confirmed is difficult for you. All those feelings are valid and it’s completely ok to take as much time as you need to sit with them and process it.
The last part of our visit was recommendations. Where do we go from here? Thankfully, our clinic doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. They also don’t believe that autistic kids all need to be in intensive therapy to make them look or act neurotypical. The doctor learned about each of them as individuals, their current school and career path, and goals that are meaningful to them. The primary consideration was mental health–what medication or type of therapy they might need to make sure they are thriving. Honestly, I think this is an important health factor for any person, not just autistic people.
Next we talked about school support. Some of my kids are in the perfect environment for them, but some need an IEP in place to make sure they are getting complete access to their education. We also discussed life skills and the transition to adulthood. Each kid has their own path, but it’s worth exploring what programs are in your area so you and your child don’t have to do it alone.
Finally, we discussed social skills. This might be surprising, but none of my children were automatically referred to autism-specific support groups or social activities. The clinic staff talked to the kids about their strengths and weaknesses. About balancing the desire to fit in with the need to be authentic, and which special interests might offer a way to connect with others. The clinic was great at brainstorming ways to expand their comfort zones gradually without causing distress.
It can be a lengthy process, especially if there is a wait list to be evaluated, full of unknowns. But if you have concerns about your child, your family might benefit from learning more and receiving support. Talk to their primary care provider about how to connect with resources in your area. [...]Read more...
October 28, 2022By: Dr. Christopher R. Harz, EdD, MBA
Advisor for SS4Kids
US veterans and active military with autistic children often wonder about two issues:
Do families with ASD children have increased stress?
Are additional therapies needed for such families?
The extent of veterans’ stress and depression is well known. Over 500,000 have PTSD (according to a RAND study), and hundreds of thousands have problems with dependency for drugs or alcohol. Articles on veterans’ stress usually focus on combat or similar conditions as being the sole cause, and do not consider additional challenges from special-needs family members.
To address the first question, a recent test published in the Journal of Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders found that almost one out of five (18.6%) of non-military families with ASD children met the criteria for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The incidence was especially high for parents whose kids displayed physical aggression or self-harm. This test was for hundreds of civilian families without the added problems of miliary families due to combat trauma, constantly moving, and lack of available ASD treatment in the military healthcare system. Military families also have the recent burden of losing access—one out of five families can no longer get school-based ASD therapy, according to the Association of Defense Communities (ADC).
The incidence of extreme stress among military families with ASD kids is highlighted by an unusual requirement for funding and access for the primary treatment for such children. This remedy, known as ABA or Applied Behavioral Analysis, is an intervention treatment that uses operant conditioning—praise and rewards for desired behavior, and occasional negative responses for undesirable behavior. It is delivered by a mental health expert several times a week for months or years. To be eligible, families must submit a “Stress Assessment,” a measure by a standardized test such as the Parenting Stress Index. This test is not required for any other type of treatment. It presumably identifies especially high levels of parental stress for ASD cases, as treatment resources are overburdened. It must be repeated every six months.
One can conclude that the stress levels for families with ASD heaped on top of the stress of military families suffering from battle trauma and scarcity of mental healthcare can readily become critical.
For the second question, the existing primary ASD treatment, ABA, has had criticism with its strict focus on its rewards and punishments to change behaviors, and a lack of nourishing vital inner needs of children. A search is on for more supportive treatments.
One such vital need that ABA does not support is gameplay. Recent research emphasizes that gameplay is not just entertainment, but is vital for brain and mental health development. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states, “It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers.” AAP studies indicate that play is crucial in all areas for children, including the development of language, social awareness, and emotional intelligence. On its website it states that at the very minimum, a child should have 30 minutes of guided play each day, and at least one hour of free playtime.
Unfortunately, ASD children tend to lack the ability to play; in fact, a lack of playfulness can be a predictor of ASD at an early age. They need availability and guidance for gameplay, especially exploratory and social playing. It is interesting to note that professional dog trainers also support extensive gameplay, rather than nonstop training, especially for shy or aggressive animals that are hesitant to start such interactions. Gameplay should be not only fun and stimulating, but also introduce challenges (to develop what researchers call a child’s “locus of control”) and support the ability to give and read social cues with others (also known as “framing”).
iQsonics, based in Santa Monica, California, provides this vital ingredient of gameplay for autistic children with its Sing and Speak 4 Kids musical learning games, using videogame techniques that help parents guide and encourage gameplay for their ASD children. Music, colorful game characters, and compelling motivational goals result in laughter, learning vocabulary, meeting challenges, and an increased willingness to interact with the outside world. And, this opportunity is readily available to parents. Without the need for any Stress Assessments. [...]Read more...
April 8, 2022April is Autism Awareness Month! We are excited to share with you Autism resources, fun and educational videos, quotes, stories, and more about Autism Awareness Month.
Autism Awareness Day is on April 2nd
Did you know, today is World Autism Awareness Day? Help us spread kindness, understanding, and acceptance of people who have Autism.
“Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States today,” according to AutismSpeaks.org.
Our online evidence-based music language program, Sing and Speak 4 Kids, supports young children with speech development. It is a fun, interactive game for kids ages 18 months through 7 years. Sing and Speak 4 Kids helps many children overcome delayed speech including children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Parents and Caregivers Learn More About SS4Kids
Professionals, Teachers, and Clinicians Learn More About SS4Kids
Derek Paravicini, a Blind Musical Savant who has Severe Autism, and Learning Difficulties
“Derek Paravicini is a musical savant. His extraordinary talent developed alongside blindness, severe autism and learning difficulties. With the gift of perfect pitch, a photographic musical memory, the ability to transpose anything instantly to any key, and his incredible abilities to learn by ear and improvise, Derek loves connecting with people via his music and absolutely loves taking requests for songs, styles and keys!” –From Derek’s YouTube Channel
Below are two videos of him playing piano as well as a documentary on Derek:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0isFoztMbEohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrDV74pkZYkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s62PnvjB0Q
Meet Alix Genereous
Alix Generous is a Mental Health Advocate and App Developer. She is a clinical supervisor and therapist for neurodivergent children in Los Angeles County. She is Autistic.
Alix was thrilled to help advise in the creation of our SS4Kids program. She loves that she can use Sing & Speak 4 Kids to help her patients speak. Alix believes that Sing & Speak 4 Kids is a great program, one that her clients enjoy using.
Music is heavily ingrained in Alix’s sessions with clients. She uses singing to help kids to feel more motivated to talk and have fun. For the children Alix works with who are learning how to talk, she lets them use the SS4Kids game as a break activity.
Alix lives in Valley Village, California. She has one dog (Chauncey), one cat (Pooshka), and two ducks (Kennedy & Onassis). For fun, Alix does ballet, piano, and stage theatre. Alix’s favorite places to travel are Paris and Florence.
We thank you, Alix, for all that you have done for SS4Kids!
Follow Alix on Instagram @generousalix.
Meet Joel Anderson
Joel Anderson is SS4Kids’ animation artist and just so happens to also be Autistic. It has been Joel’s honor to travel the world to share his own experiences with being autistic. The difficulties & the strengths make him who he is today. Joel first met David Sonnenschein at a movie screening in Hollywood back in 2016. They got to talking and Joel soon began making animations for SS4Kids. Joel became involved with SS4Kids because he wanted to make animations that not only teach useful skills for children, but also keep them entertained. He loves to make kids smile. SS4Kids not only helps kids with autism develop language, but it’s also fun! Joel admires how SS4Kids does a wonderful job preparing children for school. Joel lives in Fallbrook, California with his parents. He feels lucky to be surrounded by beautiful nature. His older brother is severely autistic and nonverbal and lives in a group home in Oceanside. Joel is a passionate advocate for autism. Joel started volunteering with the Autism Tree Project Foundation when he was 13, & has been with them for 17 years & is ATPF’s International Ambassador! Joel loves making art for ATPF to make people smile and to spread awareness of Autism! Joel is also an international public speaker. He enjoys speaking to all ages from preschools to universities, conferences, & churches where he encourages his audiences to have courage, be kind & supportive of their peers with autism. Joel’s favorite places to speak have been China, Peru, Drexel University and Rutgers University.In his free-time, Joel loves to travel, make stop-motion, & visit amusement parks like Disneyland or Legoland. Joel also loves to paint! One of Joel’s life passions has been to create “Smile Bags.” Smile Bags are filled with toys, art supplies, coloring pages, & bibles-they have the word “smile” in 27 different languages. Joel travels internationally & gives them to many children & adults who are in need of a smile around the world. 200 Bags have been gifted so far. Joel’s favorite quote “So smile & be the best you YOU can be!” Check out Joel’s artwork:www.joelsvisionarts.com
www.joelandersonartist.comwww.medievaltriotales.com
Temple Grandin with David our CEO
In 2017, David Sonnenschein, SS4Kids CEO, consulted with Dr. Temple Grandin, renowned autism expert, about the benefits and implementation of SS4Kids. Dr. Grandin was very encouraging, emphasizing the need for evidence-based research to establish this as an accepted protocol for professionals.
Celebrating in Autism Awareness in Merida, Mexico
In 2022, our Chief Executive Officer, David Sonenschein, and our Chief Strategy Officer, Annie de la Bouillerie Goeke, celebrated Autism Awareness Month in Merida, Mexico!
Autism Resources
Autism Speaks
Resource Guide
Reading Rockets List of Autism Organizations and Web Resources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
National Association of Special Education Teachers
ASPERGER/AUTISM NETWORK
Advocacy
Autism Friendly Services
Employment & Post-Secondary Education
Evaluation & Diagnosis
Health & Medical
Housing & Community Living
Multi-service providers
Recreation & Community Activities
Safety
Schools
State Services & Entitlements
Support
Support Groups
Treatments & Therapies [...]Read more...
August 15, 2023We’ve put a list of podcasts together for you to listen to that might help you understand how to help your students or clients, and how to help you through self-care techniques.
Special Education Inner Circle
Teach Me, Teacher
Lovely Preschool Teachers Podcast
The Speech Link
Self-Care for Educators
Angela Watson’s Truth for Teachers [...]Read more...
August 15, 2023We’ve put a list of podcasts together for you to listen to that might help you understand how to cope with your challenges, how to help your children, and how to help you through self-care techniques.
Dave, the Caregiver’s Caregiver
The Special Needs Mom Podcast
Exceptional Lives, Just needs parenting children with disabilities
Unexceptional moms hope and encouragement for parents of disabled kids
Elevating Early Childhood
The Preschool Podcast by Ron Spreeuwenberg
The Speech Link
Keep Calm Mother On! with Christy Thomas
The Calm Mom – Mindset, Nervous System, Self-Care, Burnout, Anxiety, Parenting, Work-Life Balance [...]Read more...
August 15, 2023We’ve put a list of books together for you to read that might help you understand how to help your students or clients, and how to help you through self-care techniques.
The Seeds of Learning: A Cognitive Processing Model for Speech, Language, Literacy, and Executive Functioning
Unmasking Autism [...]Read more...
August 15, 2023We’ve put a list of books together for you to read that might help you understand how to cope with your challenges, how to help your children, and how to help you through self-care techniques.
Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity
Multicultural guide to caregiving
Rules [...]Read more...
August 15, 2023We’ve put a list of books together to help your child begin to read on their own and practice speaking words out loud. Partner these books with playing our game and see how your child’s speech development progresses.
18-months – Kindergarten
My First Learn to Talk BookMy First 1000 WordsMy first animalsBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?A Color of His Own
1st grade – 5th grade
Articulation Sound-Loaded StoriesStellalunaI Speak Up
6th grade – 8th grade
Clear speech, students book with audio CDThe Mighty Miss MaloneBecause of Winn Dixie
9th grade – 12th grade
[...]Read more...
July 6, 2023We would like to recommend this book, A Day With No Words, by Tiffany Hammond, which depicts the life of an Autism Family. It helps to illustrate what many families go through, their challenges, their successes, and how to be a family.
Learn more about A Day With No Words. [...]Read more...
March 15, 2023In honor of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, one of our interns, Danielle Linboom, put together a list of novels with neurodivergent characters for you to share with the tweens and teens in your life. Often, books with neurodivergent characters are geared for younger children, but these engaging stories center the experiences of middle and high schoolers. You might enjoy them, too!
Novels with Neurodivergent Characters for Tweens and Teens
54 Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers, Caela Carter
A Kind of Spark, Elle McNicoll
Anything But Typical, Nora Raleigh Baskin
Aster’s Good, Right Things, Kate Gordon
Can You See Me series, Rebecca Westcott & Libby Scott
Chester and Gus, Cammie McGovern
Counting by 7’s, Holly Goldberg Sloan
Ellen Outside the Lines, A.J. Sass
Everyday Hero, Cherry Kathleen
Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Focused, Alyson Gerber
Frankie and Amelia, Cammie McGovern
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen, Sarah Kapit
Ginny Moon, Benjamin Ludwig
Last Pick series, Jason Walz
Livvie Owen Lived Here, Sarah Dooley
The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester, Maya MacGregor
The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family, Sarah Kapit
Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse, Susan Vaught
Mockingbird, Kathryn Erskine
On the Edge of Gone, Corinne Duyvis
Planet Earth is Blue, Nicole Panteleakos
Rain Reign, Ann M. Martin
Real, Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard
Sara and the Search for Normal, Wesley King
The Secret Life of Kitty Granger, G. D. Falksen
Slug Days series, Sara Leach
Speak Up!, Rebecca Burgess
The State of Grace, Rachael Lucas
Tornado Brain, Cat Patrick
Tune It Out, Jamie Sumner
Viral Nation, Shaunta Grimes
Watchdog, Will McIntosh [...]Read more...
September 16, 2023David and Annie attended the 4 day Ed Games Expo, exhibiting SS4Kids to governmental agencies, funders, other edtech entrepreneurs and local school children. We surprisingly found many other music-based programs that are having educational impact, as well as focused groups in early childhood education and special needs. We’re following up with great connections for marketing SS4Kids nationally and developing our upcoming AI-assisted feature Make Your Own Song.
The 2023 #EDGamesExpo is right around the corner! Join us in-person at the Kennedy Center REACH and locations across Washington, DC this September 19-22, 2023. Register for this #IESfunded event to try out new education technology (#EdTech) products and innovations, hear from EdTech developers and researchers, and experience engaging presentations and performances. SS4Kids will be hosting a table and offering live demonstrations of our music based game to help children improve speech and language skills!
Learn more and register today! [...]Read more...
May 27, 2023
Your whole family is invited to join us for a fun day of games, food and getting to know your community. Playroom for kids, socializing for parents, and hear more about SS4Kids. Learn how to support your child’s development through music and social interaction.
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2023
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Step-by-Step
11660 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, 90064
(Green Building east of Barrington)
Easy free parking, in alley or on the street
Please RSVP for our food prep!
SS4Kids@iqsonics.com or 424-610-1906 (msg or txt) [...]Read more...
February 1, 2023In November 2022, SS4Kids was presented as an educational webinar at the ASHA National Convention (American Speech Language Hearing Association) by David Sonnenschein (CEO iQsonics), Dr. Hayoung Lim (NMT, PhD Music Therapy, Oral Roberts U.) and Dr. Erica Ellis (CCC-SLP, PhD Communication Disorders, CSULA. The main focus of their presentation was to showcase the research funded by US Dept. of Education and the real life applications of the SS4Kids program. Our well-attended webinar continues to be available to ASHA members for the next 5 years for professional development and Continuing Education credits.
We are very grateful to be recognized by this national association for our evidence-based program that supports early childhood speech development as a supplement tool for SLPs and other professionals. Several attending SLPs asked us important questions and we’d like to share our responses below.
How do you determine the target words that are used for the intervention?
SS4Kids follows the DSLM (Developmental Speech Language Training through Music, Lim 2012, Jessica Kingsley Publisher) criteria for word selection (e.g. request motivating things, routine independent living, common environment, express feelings, etc.). Most frequent or common words were chosen from early childhood vocabulary lists such as Dolche and Fry, focusing on words used in daily activities (e.g. food, body parts, transportation).
Are there differences by children’s pre-intervention vocabulary skills?
There is a range of difficulty of the words for both speech production and language usage, currently randomized throughout the songs. We are upgrading the system so users can identify easier target words/songs in the menu and then move to more challenging words/songs through game-based learning. The parent or clinician will be able to select the song choice based on the individual child’s initial level or area of interest.
Is the list of words available to review?
All the words are available to review inside the SS4Kids program menu, and when selected will link to the associated song.
More Q&A coming soon! [...]Read more...
October 27, 2022View ASHA 2023 SLP Questions and Answers
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is holding their 2022 Convention from November 10th through November 28th this year and we are excited to be part of it!
What is the ASHA Convention?
“The ASHA Convention is one of the largest professional development events for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Bringing together approximately 15,000 attendees, the annual Convention offers more than 2,500 sessions eligible for ASHA continuing education credit covering the latest research, clinical skills, and techniques in communication sciences and disorders.” Learn more about the ASHA Convention.
What is ASHA?
“The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language, and hearing scientists, audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel, and students.” Learn more about ASHA.
How SS4Kids Will Participate
Our participation at the ASHA Convention has a two-fold purpose. We will introduce Sing and Speak 4 Kids to speech-language professionals who can benefit their clients (both children and their parents) with a fun, easy and effective supplement to their practice, and also seek feedback on our program and the professional training we provide.
In our presentation at the ASHA Convention, our multidisciplinary team, including an SLP, Music Therapist and Edtech developer, will describe the creation of Sing and Speak 4 Kids, an innovative music-based program to support speech and language development in young children with speech delays. We will explain the lessons learned including the dynamics, challenges and successes over 15 years to develop a successful evidence-based online program for integrated professional and in-home facilitation. Our in-program progress tracking, quantitative data graphics, focus group and user feedback, as well as video examples of program usage will be presented. Clinical implementation and implications will also be part of the discussion.
Our presentation will become part of the Learning Pass (accessible only to registered learners, within ASHA Learning Center) for continuing education credit for 5 years. If you would like to view the presentation without credit after the Conference, please request directly to us at SS4Kids@iqsonics.com.
How to Learn More About the Convention
If you would like to attend the convention or learn more about the participants of the 2022 ASHA Convention, please visit ASHA’s website. We hope to see you there! [...]Read more...
October 14, 2022California’s State University, Northridge (CSUN) is hosting the All Abilities Resource Fair on Sunday, October 16, 2022, after a 3-year hiatus. This is Los Angeles’s largest free Special Needs Resource Fair for families to bring their children. This year, there will be over 60+ booths at CSUN. Parents, guardians, or caregivers are given the opportunity to explore resources that can greatly benefit their child’s needs. Most providers being all in one place really saves a lot of time for parents of children with special needs. They don’t always have a lot of time to go out and seek resources so its great if they can come to one place and get a lot of information.
SS4Kids is excited to be part of this event and looks forward to directly talking to parents, caregivers, and others about how our game can benefit a child with speech delays. Shelly Cox, founder of Step by Step and our Early Childhood advisor, will be joining us at our booth! We are ready to interact with families and provide a service for children in need.
Learn more [...]Read more...
April 29, 2022May 28th through June 3, 2022, Athens, Greece will be hosting the 7th International Conference of IAMM. CEO, David Sonnenschein and Dr. Hayoung Lim will be presenting “SING AND SPEAK 4 KIDS: Online music-based speech-language training.” on Monday, May 30th.
What is the IAMM Convention?
“IAMM is excited to announce the next interdisciplinary conference on music and medicine. The 7th International Conference of the IAMM will be held May 28 – 29, 2022 in Athens, Greece. Meetings and presentations from Greek and international invited speakers will take place in person and through live streaming May 28 to May 29, 2022. Additionally, a week of online-only presentations will take place May 30 to June 3, 2022. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, offering centuries-old history to be explored and enjoyed. According to Plato, one of the first schools of music education was founded by the people of Crete followed by the musical schools of Athens, where students were taught to sing and play the lyre.” – IAMM Conference Website
Learn more about the IAMM Conference.
What is IAMM?
“The International Association for Music & Medicine is a registered non-profit organisation formed in 2009 to encourage and support the use of music in medical contexts including research into the benefits of music, and its specialised applications in healthcare.” – IAMM Website
Learn more about IAMM.
Why are we attending?
We are excited for this opportunity to introduce Sing and Speak 4 Kids to a global audience. “SING AND SPEAK 4 KIDS: Online music-based speech-language training” will be presented on Monday, May 30th by CEO, David Sonnenschein and Dr. Hayoung Lim to discuss the benefits of our program, how and why it was created, what is the foundation for this music-based language learning and the results from our clinical trial.
After conference update:
This past week, our CEO, David Sonnenschein and our Director of Science, Dr. Hayoung Lim, introduced Sing and Speak 4 Kids at the 7th International Conference of International Association for Music and Medicine. David and Dr. Lim presented to an audience of a dozen people from around the world. We were honored to be part of this wonderful opportunity! [...]Read more...
April 29, 2022We would like you to be the first to know that we have submitted a proposal to be part of the 2022 ASHA Convention in New Orleans!
What is the ASHA Convention?
“The ASHA Convention is one of the largest professional development events for audiologists; speech-language pathologists; and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Bringing together approximately 15,000 attendees, the annual Convention offers more than 2,500 sessions eligible for ASHA continuing education credit covering the latest research, clinical skills, and techniques in communication sciences and disorders.” Learn more about the ASHA Convention.
What is ASHA?
“The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language, and hearing scientists, audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel, and students.” Learn more about ASHA.
Why we would like to attend?
Our participation at the ASHA Convention has a two-fold purpose. We will introduce Sing and Speak 4 Kids to speech-language professionals who can benefit their clients (both children and their parents) with a fun, easy and effective supplement to their practice, and also seek feedback on our program and the professional training we provide.
In our presentation at the ASHA Convention, our multidisciplinary team, including an SLP, Music Therapist and Edtech developer, will describe the creation of Sing and Speak 4 Kids (SS4Kids), an innovative music-based program to support speech and language development in young children with speech delays. We will explain the lessons learned including the dynamics, challenges and successes over 15 years to develop a successful evidence-based online program for integrated professional and in-home facilitation. Our in-program progress tracking, quantitative data graphics, focus group and user feedback, as well as video examples of program usage will be presented. Clinical implementation and implications will also be part of the discussion.
We will keep you informed if our proposal is accepted to present at this very important ASHA Convention 2022. [...]Read more...
