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Visualizing /sh/ as a Continuant in Speech Therapy

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 30th Apr 2014

. .  This young man has conquered /ch/ both alone and in sentences. Since he can say /ch/, /sh/ is a breeze from here. So I had him say /ch/ in isolation, and then just prolong it. I told him to "hang on to the ch." For a visual and tactile activity to go with this, I had him roll a toy car along the racetrack on our hallway wall to demonstrate that sh is prolonged. It's hard …
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How to "Turn Your Voice on" - Teaching the Difference between Voiced & Unvoiced Phonemes

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 13th Apr 2014

Speech therapists have a variety of classifications / categories for speech sounds.  One such category is voiced versus unvoiced phonemes.  Voiced phonemes are sounds made when the vocal folds vibrate.  Unvoiced phonemes are sounds that do not require the vocal folds to vibrate.   . As an example, say "sss" and then "zzz," listen and feel the difference.  'S' r …
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How Stacking / Nesting Toys Can Develop Early Language and Fine Motor Skills

18th Mar 2014

Stacking toys - Oh how I love thee!  Let me count (and stack) the ways.   Don't be deceived - these seemingly simple toys pack a big punch when it comes to early learning development.  How do stacking/nesting toys aid in the development of fine motor and language skills?  Here's how you can play to learn with these classic toys: . . FINE MOTOR SKILLS Ther …
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Thumb Sucking Side Effects + Strategies to Help

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 28th Feb 2014

Question:  I have a client (5-years) who sucks her thumb.  She has a lisp and produces most of her consonants while protruding her tongue.  I perfectly understand that unless we resolve the thumb sucking, the protrusion will not going to go away, but her parents are not on the same page as me.  What techniques would you recommend to decrease the thumb sucking? .  You …
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