Be sure to visit On the Road with Humpty Dumpty. He’s getting ready for a

 Merry Christmas and Humpty New Year.

I just returned from the American Speech/Language Hearing Association National Convention in San Diego. I attended many wonderful sessions on autism/ASD/Aspergers syndrome. I worked in the exhibit hall and enjoyed the city with my husband.

Be sure to catch my Autism Spectrum Blogs on ADVANCE for the Speech Language Pathologist. The ASHA blogs are being posted at least twice a week. Lots of great information and tips for SLPs and parents.

I have also posted three collages On the Road with Humpty Dumpy. Mr. Humpty had so much fun at ASHA and of course, he’s always the center of attention.

The picture at the top is of several of my ASHA name badges. I’ve been attending since the 1980′s.

 Good Speech, Inc. is the name of my private speech therapy practice in Las Vegas, NV.

My daughter, coined the phrase, “Speech Pathologists Make Good Things Happen.”

• Speech Pathologists Make Good Things Happen for Children
  By working with them, by caring about them, by constantly learning from them.
• Speech Pathologists Make Good Things Happen for Adults
  By making their lives worth living, by empathizing, by giving your time.
• Speech Pathologists Make Good Things Happen for Families
  By sharing, by listening, by praising, by encouraging, by empowering.
• Speech Pathologists Make Good Things Happen for Other Professionals
  By learning from them, by sharing with them, by teaming with them.
• Speech Pathologists Make Good Things Happen for Their Communities
  By sharing knowledge through speaking, writing, and charity events.
• Speech Pathologists Make Good Things Happen for Themselves
  By sharing knowledge and talents with children, adults, families, professionals and communities.

SLPs receive gifts every day of their lives as they look beyond the bucket that sits at the end of the rainbow. These gifts are heard in a child’s laughter as he/she shares a moment of joy in therapy. These gifts are seen in the tears of gratitude as they slide down a wrinkled face withered by time. These gifts are touched as a parent’s hand reaches out in gratefulness for your time and for going one step beyond the edge of the sidewalk. These gifts are felt in your heart as you walk for autism, light up blue for autism, or support any disability/charity in your community.

We, as speech pathologists, have chosen such an honorable, yet responsible profession.

I just returned last night from ASHA (American Speech Hearing Association) National Convention. There, I caught up with and met so many wonderful SLPs. We connect to make life better for individual people and families. SLPs love what we do and honor those with whom we work.

Yes, I took my Humpty Dumpty and will be doing a blog titled, “Humpty Dumpty Takes ASHA,” on his website at On the Road with Humpty Dumpty.

I attended many sessions on autism across the spectrum and will be blogging at ADVANCE for the Speech-Language Pathologist. Lots of great information and tips will be posted for toddlers to adults.

Honoring all Veterans today. On this panel, 04E – Line 3 of The Wall in Washington D.C. is the name of LCPL – E3 Marine Corp – Larry Dean Borschel, from my hometown of Iowa Falls, IA, who gave his last full measure of devotion in South Vietnam on Dec. 9, 1965. The Vet. is John Roberts from PA who made the encased flag for friends whose names are etched next to Larry’s. The letter is from a class of sixth-grade students from Omaha, NE. I corresponded with them. My family was recently there. My Humpty Dumpty was there also and left the only American flag he has ever left on his travels. Today, 11-11-11 is a day of rememberance, rededication, and honor.

Humpty travels and is adding a new political voice to his blog.

I invite you to join this little stuffed, plaid, man, with a big voice on his new adventure into the world of politics.

Leave your comments and suggestions for Humpty.  Ask him a question.  I think that Mr. H.D. can do just as well if not better than many of our present leaders. Go see for yourself at Humpty’s blog.

I want to share our Christmas with you here in Las Vegas. Our son, Doug, daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Chad, my mother, Mary, husband, Tim, and our friends, Carli and Logan. Of course my Humpty Dumpty and Ms. Humpty Dumpty celebrated with us too. One of our little doggies, Mr. Higbee is in a picture. Our other doggie friend, Diamond, is picture shy. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.  We all have 360 days left in 2011 to make it GREAT!

At the Las Vegas Santa Run

Don’t miss a series of blogs at On the Road with Humpty Dumpty as HE reviews his 2010 adventures. I started this family friendly blog in May, 2010. The whole idea is to “get off your wall and live.”

Everyone of us, even Tiny Tim, has something that can hold us back in life ~ that is ~ if you let it.

Enjoy life ~ smile with it ~ cry when you must ~ but then, pick yourself up and live!

(This is my Humpty Dumpty – the one in the little plaid suit. He’s a joy in my life. Follow his adventures on HIS blog.)

Our family Christmas tree may not be large but it is filled with peace. Each year we “theme” our tree. This year of 2010, the theme is PEACE. Every ornament on the tree proclaims that word in the form of a prayer. We pray for peace for our world and for our nation. We pray for peace for our neighbors and for our family. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with ME.

Visit Humpty Dumpty and his friends as they pose for more Christmas pictures under the Peace Tree On the Road with Humpty Dumpty.

Need I say more ~ sign up today!

Front page of Iowa Falls Times Citizen by Eric Mandel, September 11, 2010

(double click on the papers to magnify)