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As kids develop, they learn to use appropriate behaviors at school and at home. Teachers and parents focus on shaping behaviors that encourage children to make healthy and safe choices and develop positive social skills with their peers and adults. Many children who receive speech therapy in school or in a clinical setting, like our San Francisco practice, require assistance in learning how to use their voice properly. According to research, the percentage of children with voice disorders is approximately 6 to 9% (Boone 2014). While some voice disorders are inherited genetically or result from natural or medical causes, most … Continue reading →

This winter season, Concussion starring Will Smith was an enlightening and influential film. Based on the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu who studied repeated sports head injuries in professional football players, the movie brought into light some effects of brain trauma on the human brain. Although the film focuses on brain trauma in adults, it serves as a reminder that children and parents should understand the importance of preventing such incidents in young athletes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Emergency Department Visit rate of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 5-14 year-olds has … Continue reading →

I have the pleasure of collaborating with many preschools and schools in San Francisco and, at several of these schools our speech therapy practice provides on-site screenings. A screening is a brief tool that is used to indicate if a further speech and language assessment is indicated. Sometimes, we note articulation errors but do NOT recommend immediate follow-up. Parents are often confused about this. Why, if the child has articulation errors, are you not recommending therapy? Here is why: Dear Parents, Many of you may be wondering how a child can pass the screening evaluation when he or she consistently … Continue reading →

Many children that attend speech therapy at our San Francisco practice have trouble making speech sounds and receive therapy services for articulation delays or disorders. Articulation refers to using the mouth, tongue, teeth, and lips to make sounds. For parents whose kids are receiving speech therapy for articulation, it might be a good idea to practice some of the sounds in a natural way. Some fun ways to support what your child’s articulation therapy include: Reading books that have your child’s target sound. For example, if a child was having trouble with the “f” sound in the beginning of a … Continue reading →