Kathie’s speech tip #9 for autism/ASD
Speech/Language therapy tip #8
Reading to your child is the best predictor of successful school outcome.
Plan book time into your daily schedule.
The memories will last a lifetime.
Top Ten Illustrated Children’s Books of 2011
If it’s written in the New York Times, it must be so.
Have YOU read these to your child?
The Book Review’s 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books for 2011, in alphabetical order, are: “Along a Long Road,” written and illustrated by Frank Viva (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers); “A Ball for Daisy,” written and illustrated by Chris Raschka (Schwartz & Wade); “Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures,” written by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Pamela Dalton (Chronicle Books); “Grandpa Green,” written and illustrated by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press); “Ice,” written and illustrated by Arthur Geisert (Enchanted Lion Books); “I Want My Hat Back,” written and illustrated by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press); “Me … Jane,” written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers); “Migrant,” written by Maxine Trottier, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault (Groundwood Books); “A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis,” written by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial); and “A New Year’s Reunion,” written by Yu Li-Qiong, illustrated by Zhu Cheng-Liang (Candlewick Press). Next year, The New York Times Best Illustrated awards will celebrate its 60th anniversary.
There is no better language learning that reading to and with your child.
The best predictor of school outcome is how much a child reads and is read to at HOME.
Thanksgiving Hugs – thoughts for children with disabilities
Thoughts for Thanksgiving Hugs
I love to hug children
They feel so good
I’d hug them every day
If only I should.
But hugs are for parents
Grandparents and such
Professionals should go with
High fives, knuckles, and thumbs up.
Today, on Thanksgiving
Give your family your best
Squeeze them with hugs
Save High Fives for the rest.
Kathie, I see all of the typical developing children in my elementary and middle school giving High Fives, thumbs up, and knuckles to their teachers and peers. YET, when it comes to children with autism and other disabilities the same age child is hugged and hugging. I’m worried that we, as professionals, are teaching untypical behaviors. What are your thoughts on SLPs hugging children with autism and other disabilities?
Karen, SLP
Kathie’s Tips: High Five for asking that question, Karen. I’m very opinionated about hugs to children with autism and with all disabilities. I feel so strongly, that I even wrote my Thanksgiving poem around your question.
I want you to know this first, I’m a very warm person and I love hugs – both getting them and giving them. My grown son has autism and I have always hugged him. But Doug is my son and I have always explained to him that it is okay to hug your mother. In fact many times I ask Doug, “Have you hugged your mother today?”
Reasons SLPs and other professionals should NOT provide hugs:
- Children with autism/disabilities do not know when to stop hugging
- Children with autism/disabilities do not discriminate who they hug
- Children with autism/disabilities do not discriminate how hard they hug
- Children with autism/disabilities scare people when they hug
- Children with autism/disabilities hug beyond the appropriate age
- Children with autism/disabilities often hug for sexual stimulation
- Children with autism/disabilities do not discriminate what a hug is for or its appropriateness
- Children with autism/disabilities do not discriminate what environments are appropriate for hugging
If we do not teach young children alternatives to hugs,
the rules changes for them as they get older and that is not fair.
It is the failure of the professional, not the child,
but it is the child, now teen or young adult, who will be ostracized by society
and confused by what he/she has been taught.
How do I start changing this hugging behavior?
- 1. Watch other students in your school
- 2. Watch teachers with typical developing children in your school
- 3. Watch peer to peer interactions at all grade levels
- 4. If you have a hugger, watch the reaction of the people they hug
- 5. Start with yourself
Divert the hug with a gentle hand and give a High Five
Divert the hug with a gentle hand and give a thumbs up
Divert the hug with a gentle hand and give a knuckle to knuckle (taps)
Do role-playing and have peers practice
Tell the office staff what you are doing and practice with a walk through
Don’t forget the school custodian/lunch workers, share this goal for a great place
to practice with other adults
Share this information with parents/grandparents/caregivers
This is pragmatics in ACTION
It will avert bullying
(for this reason anyway)
ASHA 2011 National Convention in San Diego
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.
Kathie’s Speech/Language Tip # 7 in Three-words
Want JOINT ATTENTION ~ POINT
There is near POINTING and distant POINTING.
Children with autism especially, have difficulty following a distant point.
“Look at that dog on his bed.” (while pointing)
Pointing to a picture in a book is near pointing.
PRACTICE BOTH !
Kathie’s speech-language tip # 6 in three-words
Life is filled with sequences.
Sequence for you child by naming 1, 2, 3 or
first – middle – last
Kathie Harrington’s Bayo the Boo Cow
Today, November 1st is National Author’s Day.
I would like to announce, my soon to be launched, children’s book
Bayo the Boo Cow
from Ink and Quill Publisher, Henderson, NV
Bayo means to find joy in Nigerian.
Boo ~ Boo ~ Boo, Bayo could not say “Moo.”
Parents and Teachers – you will be thrilled to find a barn load of oral motor exercises at the end of Bayo to practice with your chilren for developmental articulation skills.
These exercises are written by Kathie Harrington, M.A., CCC, SLP
Kathie has years of experience working with children with speech and language disorders as well as developmental milestones. Let Kathie and Bayo show you and your child fun and empowering strategies for speech development that can be successful individually or in a classroom environment.
Bayo the Boo Cow will be available shortly.
E-mail me for pre-orders and I’ll give you a “cowabunga” of great deal.
Kathie Harrington’s Amazing Autism Page on Facebook
Be sure to check out and “Like” me on my new Facebook page, KATHIE HARRINGTON’S AMAZING AUTISM PAGE.
This is another new way of presenting information and inspiration to the autism/ASD community.
Share with your family and friends.
After all – life is AMAZING!
