Adventures in Speech Therapy, Part 3: Graduation Time

If you have missed the other parts of this series, you can click the links below.

Part 1

Part 2

I have nothing but good things to say about our experience with the private firm we are using in our town. My daughter's speech therapist, Claire, says my daughter has shown some of the fastest improvement she's ever seen. As far as the speech and enunciation part of the sessions, my daughter has graduated and no longer needs that therapy. I almost take hearing her speak correctly for granted now. I can't remember the last time she "slipped up" and said an "r" sound incorrectly. A couple of weeks ago, she suggested because of a vocabulary game they were playing that we start a new focus with our sessions--communication and comprehension skills.

I knew the trouble Claire was seeing in her session with my daughter is part of the Auditory Processing delay my child was diagnosed with a few years ago. Sometimes, my daughter has a different way of describing than the way most people would typically verbalize. As an English teacher and writer, I see it as both a blessing and a curse. I choose to look at the blessing side. Writers are applauded for originality and being unique. The curse comes in when people try to conform you to a prescribed way of descriptions and vocabulary. My daughter sometimes sees the world through a set of tinted glasses that I believe would make the world a better place if more people saw the world the way she does.

I am completely in favor of increasing my daughter's vocabulary. Claire had some great suggestions about what to do to work on it. Games like Taboo and other word association games are helpful, along with analogies and "Which word doesn't belong?" exercises are great for increasing them. All these are skills we can work on at home, though, and I am grateful that I have resources at home which allow us to work on improving these skills.

 

Ultimately, I arrived at this conclusion: we will be completing our final week of private therapy this week. It has been wonderful, and though I am grateful our insurance has paid for a large chunk of it, our weekly charge can be used at home to purchase skills books to work on the same things she is working on with her therapist. I will be sad that we won't see Claire and her bright personality each week, but I know that my daughter has graduated from her speech needs. I anticipate that we may be visiting Claire again with my son, so our paths may cross again in the future.

Do you have any questions about our experience? Please leave them in the comments below.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe, by Todd Wilson

After a recommendation from my cousin and friend several months ago to read this humorous and encouraging book by Todd Wilson, I finally picked up the Kindle version on Amazon. It’s a bargain at just $4.99, and I was able to use some of the Amazon credit I’d earned on Swagbucks. I only wish I’d read it sooner!

This book is laced with cartoons that both new and seasoned homeschoolers will appreciate. Wilson’s main message spoke to me loud and clear–God gave YOU your kids. Don’t compare them or your family to Suzy Homeschooler and her clan down the street. Don’t fall into the “keeping up with the Joneses” trap when it comes to shepherding your children.

God doesn’t make mistakes. You know best about your children–their likes, bends, and abilities, as well as their struggles and weaknesses. Just because “little Alice” down the street is a master on the piano and violin (and six other instruments by the age of 10) doesn’t mean your children are failures because they can’t play one. Your children have bends and abilities that those children do not. The idea of “training up a child in the way he should go” can be interpreted as being a way to help your child enhance the inclinations he/she already possesses.

God’s timing really is perfect. After reading this book, my husband and I were discussing our kids, and he said to me, “God chose our kids for us.” I was moved to tears, because the night before, I had read this in Wilson’s book. Not only does Wilson dispel the lies that homeschool moms buy, he replaces them with truths that we can adopt.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
"Your children will become exactly what God has created them to be, NOT because of your efforts, but IN SPITE off your efforts."

"...teaching your own children is nothing like teaching someone else's children."

"You are God's 'Plan A' for your children."

"Sometimes the reason your children don't 'get it' is because they weren't created to get it...easily."

"God gave your children exactly the mother they needed."


While I am an advocate for doing your best and striving to do better, we must remember as loving parents to know what expectations are reasonable for our children. Wilson’s book embraces this idea. I highly recommend this read for all homeschool moms who feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe is available at Amazon right now for $4.99 for the Kindle version.  It's worth every penny!

If you read and enjoy this book, I also highly recommend another book: Nurture by Nature: Understand Your Child's Personality Type - And Become a Better Parent. (Watch my blog for a review of this book as well.

Here's a list of the books I recommend for any beginning homeschooler's bookshelf:




Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Adventures in Speech Therapy, Part 2 (Or, Life Lessons in Speech Therapy)

As you may have read in my previous post, I am taking my 8-year-old to speech therapy at a private firm in my town. It has been a great experience so far, and my husband and I can see not only changes in her articulation, but as a result, we’re also seeing some of her shyness disappear, as she is more likely to speak up. The fear of being picked on about her speech by those who don’t know her is starting to disappear.

Here are some lessons that I’ve learned as she is going through speech therapy. Some of these lessons can be applied to life in general.

1. Proper speech and articulation involve forming a habit. This can be applied to not only how you say something, but also what you say (and with what attitude). When my daughter gets upset or overly excited, the poor articulation has a way of sneaking back in. Using proper language helps you keep your cool, and think about what you say before the words escape your mouth.

2. Have your child tested by a professional whose opinion you value. Trust your instincts when you think something doesn’t seem right about an evaluation. After all, you are your child’s only advocate if you are a homeschooler. Remember, free (i.e., public school services) is not always better.

3. Trying to help your child on your own doesn’t always work if there is a physical problem. Sometimes, the problem is bigger than you are. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help.

4. Finally, if you use private speech services, make sure your therapist knows how to work with your insurance company. Because my daughter was tongue-tied and needed a frenectomy (a condition that was present at birth), our insurance covers part of her therapy. It’s greatly reduced our cost.

Read Part 1 of this post to see why we chose private speech therapy services instead of using the public school system.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Adventures in Speech Therapy (Or, Why Private Sessions are Better than Free Public School Services)

My 8-year-old has always had trouble saying her Rs properly.  I had read helpful books from the library and watched YouTube videos by speech therapists to try to help her on my own.  Still, she couldn't get the sound out right.  I felt a little like a failure, and I didn't like the idea of my daughter growing up with a stigma (as she was becoming more conscience of her problem).

I took her to the local school district for testing and services just over a year ago.  When I took her, she was still 7, and the therapists there said she did not qualify for needing their services.  It seems that the R sound, in their book of standards, is not a required milestone until you are 8.  So, with limited funds and not a lot of options in the area where we lived at the time, I resolved I'd take her back in a year to be tested again. 

Fast forward one year, and now we've moved to a different area.  I knew it was time to get professional help.  I called the local school system and was told that there was a two month waiting list for testing. That would put us well into summer, after schools are out, so speech classes likely wouldn't be available until the fall.

I called a local private speech therapist who had good online ratings.  She was able to test her within a week.  She said after her testing that my daughter was ready for immediate assistance.

She didn't just listen to her speak and test her hearing, though.  She did a thorough inspection of tongue movements, and she recommended a frenectomy based on her findings.  She had me get another referral from our orthodontist.  He looked at her as well and came to the same conclusion.  My daughter needed the frenectomy.  She had lived her 8 years on this earth being somewhat tongue-tied.  Now, there was a medical reason (ankyloglossia) for her inability to properly articulate her Rs.

An oral surgeon removed the extra tissue underneath her tongue, and within minutes, I could already tell a difference in her speech.  She can even now roll her tongue (something only she and my husband can do so far in our family).  No, the frenectomy didn't solve all her problems.  However, without the procedure, any speech therapy would have been ineffective in treating her problem. 

So far, we've now been to 4 private speech sessions, and I can tell a noticable difference in her speech. She hasn't "graduated" yet, and there is still work to be done, but we are well on our way to solving the "R" problem.

As a summary, here's my conclusion of why private services are better than government services (and this probably applies to more areas than just speech therapy):

1. Testing: The testing in the private practice was more inclusive than what the school district had provided.  Not only was her speech tested in the private firm, but her hearing was evaluated (twice), and her eating/drinking habits were observed.  I got a detailed 5-page report from the private firm, explaining her test and her mastery levels on the tasks.  The school district gave me a one page report saying she didn't qualify and could come back in a year to be tested (and some verbal advice to not let my daughter use drinking straws).

2.  Therapy: I can only speak for the private side of the actual therapy, but our experience so far has been stellar.  After each 30-45 minute private 1-on-1 session my daughter has with her therapist, I also get to speak 1-on-1 with her to get a recap of the session, as well as homework for the next week and tips to help my daughter reach mastery of the next goal/task.  (If I were using services inside a public school, I am not sure my daughter would get as much 1-on-1 time, and the time the parent gets with the therapist I am assuming would be minimal.)

I know not all school districts are the same, but I can say as for our experience, free is not always better.  Private speech therapy is money well-spent.

Check my blog tomorrow for Part 2 to our "Adventures in Speech Therapy," where I'll share with you the lessons I've learned as a parent.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

How to Survive (and Thrive) without Cable

Our family room may look a little like it's in the Stone Age, but it's fine with me!  We've had the same TV for 10+ years--a heavy 27-inch flatscreen that is still serving us well.  We also have a nice little bunny-ear antenna that sits on top of the TV, along with a digital receiver, reflecting the major change we've made in the past 3 years--we ditched our cable/satellite provider entirely.  We cut the cord and have never looked back.

More families every year are doing the same thing and enjoying the same quality of programming they did before (but at a much lower cost).  Here's how we went cable-free (and so can you).

Steps to get rid of your cable bill:

Step 1:  Cancel your service with your cable provider.  When your contract is up with your satellite provider (and with most companies, you'll notice that your bill will jump in size, sometimes nearly doubling), call the provider and cancel the service.  If your contract is not up, you may pay an early cancellation fee.  Do the math and count the costs before cancelling early.  You may need to place a note on your phone or calendar to alert you again about when your contract is up, should you decide to wait.

You must be adamant about your cancellation with the customer service rep over the phone.  It's the service rep's job to keep you as a customer, and they will try every trick in the book to get you to stay.  Don't fall for their offers--you'll end up in the same boat again with a monthly bill you don't need.  Resolve to be free of the company's contract and overpriced service!

Cost: $0.  This is if your contract is already up.  Otherwise, it will vary with the amount of time you still have on your service contract.

Step 2:  Buy a digital antenna.  Newer TVs are equipped to handle the antenna only, but if you have an older TV like we do, you may have to get a digital receiver box as well (it's a small box that connects with a cable to the antenna and your TV).  The antenna is for your local stations and major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX).  Local stations are necessary in my opinion for emergency communications and instructions (though many may argue that the internet, through proper connections and feeds, can provide the same info).

Cost: less than $100 for the entire setup, which is about 3 months' worth of cable bills from most providers... which means it will pay for itself in less than 3 months.

Step 3:  Get high-speed internet.  Most people already have this. (If you still have dial-up and can't get high-speed, the rest of the steps won't apply to you.)  DSL lite isn't going to get it done for the rest of the steps in this process.  This cost is usually not an issue with most people since they already have it.

Cost: varies according to speed and service.  Our current cost is $38/month.  I don't count it because I had internet even when we had satellite TV.

Step 4:  Sign up with Netflix (or similar service).  You have many options with this service: streaming, DVD, and a combination of the two.  We have the streaming-only service, and it has worked great.  Netflix has a great search feature, and has wonderful educational documentaries, family shows, and more. 

You must have a device which will stream Netflix if you choose this: a Wii, computer, xBox, or Apple device (iPad, iPod, iPhone), though I understand more devices besides these are Netflix-ready.

Cost: $7.99 (+tax)/month.  (Way better than $30/month we were paying before---and probably even a greater savings for many people!)

Other options (do your research):
Hulu.com (online and free)
Hulu Plus (the fee-based version of Hulu with more options and titles)
Apple TV
Google TV

(Since Netflix is not the first to get new releases, we use Redbox for movies we really want to see on DVD, or just wait until they come out on the streaming.  You can watch the Redbox blog for special codes to get free rentals as a treat.)

Step 5:  Check (and bookmark) your favorite channels' websites for content and apps to watch latest shows.  This has been a dream for us, as Disney has left off some of its shows from Netflix.  I found the Disney Jr. app the other day, and my son can now watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse again.

Cost: $0.

Benefits of Ditching Cable

As a result of our weaning from cable, our family has discovered many benefits, including these:

**There is no need for TIVO or DVR. Netflix is always ready on cue.  We can watch many episodes of the same series.  We can have a Phineas and Ferb marathon any day at my house.

** Our exposure to commercials and online advertising has been greatly reduced.  We are literally bombarded with advertising already embedded into programming, not to mention internet ads.  But without some of those kids' networks toy commercials advertising overpriced goodies like "Bendaroos" or "Pillow Pets," my kids now think about what they really want for birthdays and Christmas. They don't have a network deciding for them. 

Last year, my kids had a hard time knowing what to ask for, because they recognized that they had no real needs, and wants were seriously considered, not chosen from the latest bombardment of commercials.

** We are more discretionary with our program viewing.  We don't just watch something on TV  because it's all that is on.  We are pickier now (and don't miss the larger amount of poor quality programs on cable now).

** We watch less TV. We read more now and find other things to do with our time.

**  Freedom from one less bill.  Yes, we traded satellite for Netflix, but the difference is huge.  Netflix is automatically billed every month, and it is such a small amount that we barely notice it.  It's refreshing.


Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."