May is Better Speech,~MARKHAM On the Same Page with Language" Hearing Month

STOUFFVlllEHOSPITAL~C (Ill) DE¥ 0 EIff PAO_, - Speech & Language in Volume 1 May 2011

York Region Preschool Speech and York & Simcoe May 2011Language Program

Parents Should Ask Their Doctor For Their Child'sEnhanced 18-month Well-Baby Visit

The Ontario Government hasrecognizedthe need for de-tailed developmentalscreeningat 18 months to make surethat all children reach theirpotential in learning.

When families book their18 month well- baby visitwith their doctor, theyshould check that they willreceive an enhanced visitwhich will last around 45minutes.

At this enhanced visit theirdoctor will work with theparents to check how thechild's development is pro-gressing.The parents will com-plete the Nipissing DistrictDevelopmental Screening""checklist which measureshowthe child is developingin theareas of speechand language,gross and fine motor skills,social-emotionaland cognitivedevelopment.The doctor willalso examinethe 18-montholdusingthe RourkeBabyRecord.Then parents and doctor willuseall this information to talk

about any concernsthe parenthas about their child'sdevelopment, general well-being and any parentingchallenges. The parents willalso be given suggestions topromote their child's healthydevelopment including refer-rals to community programs,like the Ontario Early YearsCentresand libraries.

The reason for this visit isto make sure that childrennot meeting all their mile-stones will get help asearly as possible.

If a child is showing anydelays, the doctor shouldrefer them to the YorkRegion Preschool Speechand Language Program and/or Early InterventionServices by filling out theE.R.I.K. (Early ReferralIdentification Kit) andfaxing it to 905-762-2099. Our intake phonenumber is 1-888-703-KIDS.

Our provincial government hasimplemented this enhanced18-monthwell-babyvisit becausetoo manyof our children are notready to learn when they enterSenior Kindergarten! Researchhas shown that almost 30 percent of Ontario non-specialneeds students score below the10th percentile on at least onereadiness to learn domain ( i.e.physical health and well-being,social competence, emotionalmaturity, languageand cognitivedevelopment or communicationskills andgeneralknowledge).l

Early intervention is key -The earlier the referral forhelp, the greater thepositive impact on the child'sdevelopment.

I. The Offord Centre for Child Studies. McMaster University. Eariy Developmental Instrument: School Readiness to learn SK Cycle 2

Results based on the Early Development Instrument Data collection for Senior Kindergarten Students in Ontario, 20 I0.9

Vaccination & Autism Link Debunkedl12 years after its publica-tion in the prestigious Brit-ish medical journal, the lan-cet has retracted a study byDr. Andrew Wakefield link-ing the use of the MMR(measles, mumps, and ru-bella) vaccination to autism.

Since its publication, count-less numbers of parentshave opted not to vaccinatetheir children in fear thatthis vaccination would leadto autism. In March 2004,the majority of co-authorson the paper retracted theirsupport for the claims of a

possible link between thevaccine and autism.1 Wake-field continues to stand byhis study. He has since losthis right to practice medi-cine in Britain.

Delaying or refusing anyvaccine puts a child at risk.

(continued on page2.....)

Inside this issue:

Vaccination & Autism 2Unk continued...

Your Baby Can Read 2Product Gets ThumbsDown

The King's Speech 2and the Buzz aboutStuttering

You Tube Video Clips 3Help Teach EarlyUteracy Skills

Accurate Information? 3Website Favourites

If your Child Stutters: 3Helpful TIps

Early Identification is 4Key ...

A Family Story: Early 4Help Made All theDifference

Page 2 On the Same Page with Speech & Language in York & Simcoe

Vaccination & Autism Link Debunked continued ...A British journalist apparentlydiscovered financial and scien-tific conflicts about Dr. Wake-field. Some of the costs of Dr.Wakefield's research werereported to have been paid bylawyers for parents seeJ<ingtosue vaccine makers for dam-ages. Dr. Wakefield was alsofound to have patented in 1997a measles vaccine that wouldsucceed if the combined vaccinewere withdrawn or discred-ited.3

This controversial paper isbelieved to be responsible for

the resurgence of measles inthe U.K. and elsewhere inEurope. In fact, in Britainand Ireland, MMR vaccina-tion rates are reported tohave fallen below 80 percent.2 In Ireland an out-break of measles led to thehospitalization of more than100 children and threedeaths.2

Dr. Wakefield is believed tobe responsible for over adecade of fear among par-ents around the world.

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"Your Baby Can Read" Product Gets Thumbs DownlIf you were thinking of purchasing "Your Baby Can ReadN DVDset, do we have some information for you....Dr.Timothy Shanahan has written in his blog about the product. Please visit his blog

http://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/2010/11/please-dont-teach-your-baby-to-read-at.html

Dr. Shanahan is a man of many credentials. He was inducted to the Reading Hall of Fame in 2007. He is aprofessor of Urban Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he is the Director of the UICCenter for Literacy. Tim Shanahan was director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools and authored oredited more than 150 publications. In a nutshell, Dr. Shanahan states that he would in fact discourage use ofthis product! He states that the National Early Literacy Panel conducted a thorough review of research onearly interventions and found no research on this program and no evidence that the program works. Thecreator of the program has apparently never done any work on literacy at any level. His advice: instead ofpurchasing this program, read to your baby, talk with your baby, sing with your baby!

"The King's Speech" and the Buzz about StutteringThe success at the Oscars of themovie "The King's Speech" hasbrought attention to the plight ofpeople who stutter around theworld. The movie won Oscars for"Best Picture", "Best Actor" forColin Firth's sensitive portrayal ofKing George VI, and for screen-writer David Seidler who hasstuttered since age 4.

The movie certainly gave detailedinsight into the treatment of adultsin the 1930s. Thoughsome principlesof therapy might still apply, muchhas changed since then. Firstly, werecognize that stuttering is adevelopmental disorder that

responds wellto early intervention.Usually signs of stuttering beginbetween 2 and 6 years old aschildren begin to formulate com-plex sentences. Approximately 5'Yoof children stutter, with 3 timesmore boys than girls. There is nosingle cause of stuttering, but it isbest explained as a complexinteraction between the child'sgenetic makeup, physiologicaldifferences, speech motor skills,language abilities, and tempera-ment.

Very important in reducing stut-tering is changingsome aspects ofthe child's environment. Reducing

"busyness" as well as providing aslower speech model is usually avery effective first step. (Seedetailed suggestions and tips onpage 3).

Typically, preschoolers do nothave an emotional reaction totheir stuttering. This mightdevelop later depending on thechild's personality andexperiences.

Modeling an accepting attitude isvery helpful in preventingstuttering symptoms fromworsening and later causinganxiety and avoidance.

I. www.cbc.c:alnews/heakhlstoryI2OIO/02J02Jautism-mnv--lancet-wakefield.htm; 2 Www.thegiobeandmailcomfUfwhealth/andre-pic:ardfdoaors.-dascredited-vaccine-autism-link-teaves-a-legacy..of-preventable-death

3. http-JJ-.nytimes..coml2OIOI02lO3/healthiresean:W031ancet.html

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"YouTube" Video Clips Help Teach EarlyLiteracy SkillslIf you thought 'YouTube"was simply for entertain-ment, think again! The Sim-coe County Ontario EarlyYears Early Literacy Special-ist has uploaded a series ofvideo clips offering greattips for parents and profes-sionals looking for ways tonurture early literacy skills.Some of the topics include:rhyming, playing with sylla-bles, playing with sounds,making reading fun. Pleasevisit www1.e3.caand click onEarly Literacy Specialist.

Accurate Information? Website FavouritesSearching the internet to findaccurate and reliable informa-tion can often be confusing.There is so much information -howdo you knowwhat to trustand where to start?

We have put together a shortlist of our favourites - thosewe can safely recommend asreliable.

Child development:

18 month well baby visithttp://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/earlychildhood/health/your enhanced 18-month.aspx

Ontario Early Years Centreswww.ontarioearlyyears.ca

Zero to Three Resourceswww.zerotothree.org

Child Language:

Hanen Centre: Helpingyouhelp children communicate

Www.hanen.org

Autism:

The Geneva Centrewww.autism.net

Autism Ontario which links todifferent regionswww.autismontario.com

Autism Speakswww.autismspeaks.ca

Individuals with specialneeds:

Connectability

http://connectability.ca

For Parents of Children withcommunication delays:

York RegionPreschool Speechand LanguageProgramwww.beyond-words.org/parents.htm

Simcoe Preschool Speech andLanguageProgram

www.rvh.on.ca/Home.aspx?PageId=556

Literacy Development

Tip sheets from early literacyconsultants (York) http://www.familydaycare.com/oeyccentres/els tips.html

Tips from early literacy con-sultant (Simcoe) http://www1.e3.ca/ Clickon EarlyLiteracy Specialist

Parenting:

Triple P Positive ParentingProgram www.triplepontario.ca

Stuttering

Parent and professional re-sources at:

The Stuttering Foundation ofAmericawww.stutteringhelp.org

CanadianStuttering Associa-tion www.stutter.ca

The National Stuttering Asso-ciation www.nsastutter.org

If your child stutters:Helpful Tips

* Speak with your child using a slow,smooth rate, pausing frequently. Trynot to criticize or give advice. It isbetter not to say "slow down" or"take a deep breath."

* When talking with your child, getdown to his level and show yourinterest by lookingat him when he isspeaking.

* Reduce the number of questionsyou ask your child. Instead, usecomments that your child canrespond to without pressure.

* Repeat and rephrase what he saysusing slow, calm, and relaxed speech,with plenty of pauses. Use your facialexpressions and other body languageto show your child that you arelistening to what he is saying ratherthan how he's talking. This style ofinteraction can boost confidence andreduce stuttering.

*Set aside a few minutes of 'specialtime" each day to play with your childand can give them your undividedattention. During this time, let himchoose what he would like to do andlead the play and decide whether totalk or not. Respond by joining in hisplay and repeating and rephrasingwhat he says.

* Help all members of the familylearn to take turns talking andlistening. Children, especially thosewho stutter, find it much easier totalk when there are few interruptionsand they have the listeners'attention.

* Above all, convey that you acceptyour child as he is. The most powerfulforce will be your support of him,whether he stutters or not.

Adapted from "7 tips for talking with your child",Barry Guitar, Ph.D. and Edward G. Conture, Ph.D

2008

May is Better Speech, Language & HearingMonth

York Region Preschool Speech & LanguageProgram

Blind Low-Vision Early Intervention Program,Tri-regional Infant Hearing Program

www.beyond-words.org

Speech & Language Milestones:

Knowa family that doesn't speak English?

No problem.

Download speech and language milestones in15 different languages:

www.children.goy.on.ca

Early Identification is KeylIf in Doubt, Check It Out

How to referCall our Intake Line

1-888-703-5437

We serve children:

• who live in York Region

• from birth till SK entry

• The earlier you refer,the more we can help!

EARLY REFERRALIDENTIFICATION KIT

every night. Waiting was nolonger an option as we desper-ately wanted to help our son andadvocate for him. It took greatperseverance to bring him intothis world and now it would takeeven more to give him the bestopportunities the world has tooffer.

We needed to connect Alexwith those who could help himreach his full potential. I calledEarly Intervention Services (EIS).Our initial assessment led tosupport from both Early Inter-vention Services and York Re-gion Preschool Speech and lan-guage Program support.

We attended "More ThanWords"TM a speech and languageprogram for parents of childrenwith ASD. Here we learned in-valuable strategies to help Alexand us, his parents, make the

month check-up and he recom-mended we wait and reassesshim at 18 months.

Caring family & friends tried toallay our concerns saying,"Boys' speech is often de-layed", "Heather walked onher tippy toes for a year" and"He seems just fine to me,besides he's so young. Givehim more time."

Nevertheless, our concernsgrew because the twins' socialand play skills began developingvery differently. At the park.Gabe interacted with the otherchildren while Alex was keenlyfocused on playing with thesand, repeatedly scooping it upand watching it fall, only stop-ping when I moved him to aswing.

Feeling frustrated and power-less, my husband and I talked

A family story: E.arly Help Made All the Difference

MARKHAMSTOUFFVlllEHOSPITAL

IlD D

Two years ago my husbandand I welcomed our beautiful,healthy twin sons Alex andGabe after a long struggle withinfertility. With them came anew found love and joy. But,from early on, my husband hadan underlying anxiety that theywere at risk for autism eventhough our happy boys contin-ued to develop normally andreach their milestones.

However, at 9 months Alex'sbabbling became more limitedwhile Gabe's became morecomplex. At around 14months, Alex began showingunusual behaviours, includingarm and hand flapping, tippy-toe walking and less eye con-tact. We knew that thesewere early signs of AutismSpectrum Disorder (ASD).We voiced these concerns toAlex's paediatrician. at his 15

necessary changes to set himon an entirely new path. Webegan to see positive changesas soon as we put thesestrategies into practice. Alexstarted including us in his playmore, he increased his com-munication dramatically andshowed a greater level of gen-eral understanding.

Seeing these results helped tobuild our confidence in prac-ticing our new skills. Our nighttime chats now include feelingsof inspiration and empower-ment.

Early detection has been key inchanging his world. We do ourbest every day to help our sonbuild a brighter future by usingour new tools inspired by thatsame love and joy born twoyears ago.

AF.