DID YOU KNOW
The Role of Parents & The Power of Routines
Parents can support their children’s language development at home by creating natural opportunities during play and daily routines. Speech-Language Pathologists can guide parents and caregivers on techniques to encourage language use throughout everyday activities.
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Early Intervention Makes a Difference
Identifying and addressing speech and language delays early can significantly improve outcomes, as the brain is especially receptive to language learning in the first few years of life.
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Not All Communicators Follow the Same Developmental Path
Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) is how some children, especially autistic ones, develop language by learning whole phrases, or 'chunks,' instead of individual words. These phrases often come from movies or conversations and are used for communication, even if the child doesn’t fully understand each word. Over time, with guidance, they can start breaking down these chunks to form original sentences. Marge Blanc’s Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework supports this process, helping children move from scripted language to self-expression.
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Benefits of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Providing children with alternative ways to communicate, including both low-tech methods and high-tech devices, has been shown to increase receptive and expressive language skills, increase reciprocity, improve pragmatic skills, increase independence and participation, increase verbal speech, and to have a positive effect on overall communication skills.
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Bilingualism
Bilingualism does not negatively impact language development; in fact, learning two languages can enhance cognitive skills such as problem-solving and memory. Research shows that children can acquire multiple languages naturally.
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