The period after your child’s language delay diagnosis can be an unsettling time for the whole family. What does it mean? What happens now? Having a speech and language assessment for your child with a professional speech therapist is a great first step, but you may wonder if, as a parent, if there is even...

Stroke affects everybody differently. Why? Because everyones brain and bodies are different. Many stroke survivors continue to improve over a long time, sometimes even over a number of years. Recovery from stroke involves making changes in the physical, social and, emotional aspects of your life. These changes play a critical part in preventing add...

If you have a child in grade 4 to 12, then you will know that this time of the year is filled with angst and worry. The formal examinations are upon us and unfortunately it can turn some of the calmest households into battlefields. As parents we are there in trenches with our offspring. Helping...

The ultimate goal of speech therapy is to help a child to improve their communication. For autistic children, this is especially important because communication is a key component in their ability to form relationships and function in their world. Speech therapy can help to: Develop the ability to express their wants and needs – This...

Skills such as understanding simple instructions, responding to simple requests and imitating sounds are called speech and language milestones. Children reach these milestones in how they play, learn, listen and observe. It’s very important to remember that children develop at their own pace, so it’s impossible to pin point exactly when a child wil...

Did you know, the average person speaks around 4,300 words a day? We use our voice more often than we realize and it’s easy to forget to take care of what seems to be our most valuable tool. Here are three very simple guidelines on how to care for your voice: Drink Water Drinking water throughout...

In a country as diverse and multicultural as South Africa it’s little wonder we have eleven official languages. So it goes without saying that your little one will at some time or another either be exposed to or need to learn a second or third language. There are many questions and concerns around this topic....

Do you remember the most recent conversation you had with your child? What words were chosen to convey your thoughts? What emotions were conjured in your child? And what was the outcome of that interaction? Often, we get caught up in the hectic pace of life, and our words are nothing more than barking orders...

We are committed to offering only the best Speech Therapy service. In order to meet and exceed on this promise, we require constant feedback from you, our clients. It was with this reason in mind, that we’ve decided to compile a few of our most recent testimonials. But, first let’s find out how relevant these...

There are a number of reasons why speech difficulties occur in adulthood. Adults may experience speech and language difficulties for a variety of reasons, see below. Accident or Injury Unfortunately accidents happen, and these can lead to damage of the brain or speech muscles. Disease and Illness Certain disease and illness can cause speech difficu...

We all know that life can get very busy.  A demanding job, deadlines, traffic, homework assignments, personal commitments, meetings upon meetings, the list is endless. And for many, it is a constant race against the clock. It was with this in mind and our constant endeavor to break new grounds in the Speech Therapy industry,...

Does your child require Speech Therapy? It is important for you to make an informed decision, so let us uncover the different aspects. The main goal of speech therapy is to improve communication. Some of the goals of speech therapy might include: Improving coordination of speech muscles through strengthening and coordination exercises, sound repeti...

Do you or one of your dependents require Speech Therapy? Did you know that most medicals aids now cover Speech Therapy? When visiting our practice for the first time, please remember to bring along your medical aid card as well as your ID. Here’s what should know: We complete and provide you with all the...

The art of being articulate means more than just being well spoken, it is also vital to be understood. And in an era where time is money, employers require employees that are capable of communicating clearly, confidently and concisely. Let’s uncover the function of a Speech Therapist in recruitment. During the recruitment process a Speech Therapist...

Welcome to September, the month of all things fresh and new. There’s something just so invigorating about springtime, the flowers, the colours, the weather, it’s like Mother Nature’s injection of life. But with springtime, comes the clearing out cobwebs and spring cleaning. So what does spring-cleaning and speech/language have in common? Well quite...

If you strike a woman, you strike a rock This prominent phrase was adapted from the song which was sung by 20 000 strong, fearless and committed women on the 9th of August 1956. Wathint’Abafazi Wathinti’imbokodo! (Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock).  These brave women marched to the Union Buildings in...

Dyslexia is commonly associated with reading difficulties. Some doctors, specialists and educators may even refer to it as a “reading disorder”. But it can also affect writing, spelling and even speaking. Dyslexia and Reading Children with dyslexia often need extra help in developing several skills needed for successful reading comprehension. These...

Help Your Child Do Their Best As a parent you always want the best for your children. The influence that a parent has over their child’s educational future is profound. So this month we look at ways in which you can help your child do their best in school. Set positive expectations When parents’ expectations...

Ideas for Winter Activities Fair warning to parents out there who have not realized this yet, but in just four short weeks schools will be closing for the winter holidays. Having a bunch of ideas for winter activities is key to maintaining your sanity. Keeping kids entertained for twenty-one days might sound a bit overwhelming,...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last year, round about this time I wrote an open letter to the doctor who had diagnosed my daughter with autism. Even though I don’t think that it really made a difference to the doctor, I do hope that posting something so personal about our journey might have comforted or supported a parent somewhere who...

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]What are swallowing / feeding disorders? Swallowing disorders are often the result of structural weakness or dysfunction and result in difficulty with the actual act of moving food from the mouth to the tummy. Whereas, a feeding disorder is often behaviorally motivated and results in the refusal of or an aversion ...

As a parent it is vital to understand terms such as speech language. And know the difference between the two. We’ll also look at the term “communication” and clarify the differences between them. What is speech? Well according to Wikipedia, speech is the vocalized form of human communication. Which is by no means incorrect, however...

What is Laryngeal Cancer? This is essentially cancer of the voice box, where cancerous (malignant) cells form on the larynx, or voice box causing significant damage to the area and impeding speech. The larynx is made up of specialised folds, known as vocal cords that vibrate to create a sound when air passes through them....

A stroke, also known as a “brain attack”, could be fatal, but early action might minimize brain damage and potential complications. This month we will look at the effects of a stroke on one’s speech and how a speech therapist can help. We will also look at what happens to the body while a stroke...

September is Deaf Awareness month. Many South Africans are in the dark about the challenges that people with hearing loss face daily. This month we will look at the different types and causes of hearing loss. Generally, there are two types, conductive and sensorineural. A combination of both is known as a mixed hearing loss....

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month—an observance by people and organizations to help raise awareness of and provide information about cleft and craniofacial defects. Craniofacial defects are conditions present at birth that affect the structure and function of a baby’s head and face. The development of the face and facial bones...

Vaccines protect babies and children against many dangerous diseases, yet there is still a great deal of controversy surrounding them. A lot of anxiety is based on myths and propaganda. Lets have a look at the facts and debunk the most prevalent myths of vaccination, because ultimately, this is a decision that you, as a parent...

To the Doctor who diagnosed my daughter When I look at her I don’t see autism, because this does not define who she is. I see my quirky, boisterous, stubborn, fearless, independent daughter. She has changed my life in more ways than I wish to admit, but looking back now, I would not change a...

This month we celebrate Autism Awareness. Awareness months are important, as they remind us to take action. However, we also need to educate ourselves about the facts, in order to bring about acceptance. There is no point in just knowing, acceptances require a shift in thought. So what exactly is Autism and why acceptance? Autism...

[fullwidth_text alt_background=”none” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] March 21st we celebrate World Down syndrome Day. This date was chosen as it signifies the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.  It is a day that was declared by the United Nations General Assembly, to...

In this post, we round up interesting things we found on the web relating to play therapy We found this interesting video, have a look and see:...

Research has shown that children learn through play. It stimulates their language development, and they can benefit from both free (unstructured) and guided play.   Let us explore a few of these types of play and the benefits that come along with these activities.   High on the list we have Social play. It is...

[fullwidth_text alt_background=”none” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), also called head injury, occurs when a blow or jolt to the head damages the brain. TBI’s range in severity from mild to severe. Some effects can sometimes be permanent. TBI is the second highest cause of mort...

[fullwidth_text alt_background=”none” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain either bursts or becomes clogged with a blood clot. The effects of a stroke can range from mild to severe. One of the biggest effects is on the individual’s a...

The range of development is wide. Every child is unique in their stengths and weakness in their development. It is of little significance if one or two areas are delayed. Professional opinion should be sort after if there is a delay in a number of areas such as a lack on comprehension, absence of play...

[spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] What is stuttering? Stuttering is a motor speech problem that is not a normal part of a child’s development. This means that stuttering is NOT caused by: bad parenting anxiety low intelligence or IQ The e...

Voice is the sound that is created by people by using their lungs and vocal folds in the voice box, but how does it work? The vocal folds are two bands of smooth muscle tissue that lie opposite each other in the larynx or voice box. The larynx is positioned at the passageway to the...

Before we initiate testing, we firstly administer an in depth case history (collecting background information) with the parents. The Case History identifies any red flags that may be a factor or a contributing factor to Speech and Language difficulties. The Case history may take 15 minutes to 30 minutes before the Speech Therapist starts to...

What to expect during a Speech Therapy session age 2 and up   Children love Speech Therapy, as they don’t realize that they are working while they are playing. Therapy will occur in an office or clinic setting. How many therapy sessions and how long the therapy will be is determined during the feedback session...

Many children stutter between the age of 2 years and 5 years. It occurs when children suddenly learn many new words, grammar and sentences. For 75% of children, the stuttering will appear and then disappear. There is a small percentage whose stuttering never disappears. They continue to stutter into adulthood. Those who develop severe stuttering...

[fullwidth_text alt_background=”none” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”] For the past 3 months I noticed that my 7 year old was starting to stutter. I spoke to her Pediatrician. He said that if my daughter did not see a Speech Therapist before she was an adult it would affect her self-esteem and she will have ...

Are you concerned that your child is not speaking appropriately for his/her age. These tips will help to promote language stimulation within your home. 1. Give your Child’s words Power Parents in generally are intuitive with regards to their child’s needs and wants. A parents is able to determine what a child wants when he/she...

Every Parent should try to read their child a bedtime story every night. Choose a book with large pictures and not more than 5 sentences on each page. A story book with a beginning middle and end is most appropriate. Not books that just contain words like a is for apple or b is for...

Key contributing factors to Autism Autism is recognized at as a genetically predisposed condition triggered by environmental factors or a combination of circumstances. There is no research available of the exact cause of Autism. The possible contributing factors that may cause Autism will be discussed below. Key features that are discussed were ide...

Your son is 2 years old and still isn’t talking. He says a few words, but compared with his peers you think he’s way behind. You remember that his sister could put whole sentences together at the same age. Hoping he will catch up, you postpone seeking professional advice. Some kids are early walkers and...