Last week, I shared Early Warning Signs of a Speech Delay for Infants and Early Warning Signs of a Speech Delay for 18+ Months, and today I want to share Early Warning Signs of a Language Delay!

To review, let’s talk about the difference between speech and language! It gets confusing for some people, because the two words are often lumped together (i.e., “speech language pathologist,” “speech language impairment,” “speech language evaluation”), but they really do refer to two different things. Speech, or articulation, refers to how we say sounds. Voice (how our vocal folds vibrate to create sound) and fluency (the rhythm of speech) are also frequently included when we talk about speech. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want.

Mastering Your Child's IEP : The Complete Guide

The IEP process can be daunting for many parents. As a school SLP, I am very familiar with the process and I average 1-2 IEPs per week. In this FREE guide, I am breaking down the IEP process into five steps to help parents navigate the intricacies of the IEP process. Whether this is your first or your tenth IEP, my goal is to help you be more prepared and confident so you can #advocatelikeamother

Must-See Short Film About Disabilities

Disney+ has been all the rage over the past few weeks and Float was nothing short of pure magic. Written, directed and produced by Bobby Rubio, this short film will touch you in ways you didn’t know possible. Based off of Rubio’s own relationship with his son, Float is a beautiful metaphor for autism, but will touch anyone affected by different needs.

Disability EducationMacy GilsonDecember 18, 2019Disney+, Float, autism, special needs, special needs parenting, kindness mattersComment

Gift Ideas for Kids with Sensory Needs

The holidays are quickly approaching and I have come up with a list of ten gift ideas for a child with sensory needs. So often, we associate sensory needs with autism, but children with many other diagnoses may have sensory processing difficulties, too. I hope this list helps you find a meaningful gift for a child in your life with special needs!

Ways to Make Halloween More Inclusive

Halloween is right around the corner! For most, October 31st is a fun day, filled with costumes, friends, and of course, candy! But, for families with different needs, Halloween can be tough. I am hoping to make Halloween more inclusive this year, and I hope you will join me. Keep reading to read about four ways you can make all of your trick-or-treaters feel included this year.