Posts by acobb
2 Speech Goals = Best of All
You may recognize Amelia from many of our social media posts. She gives us some of the best video opportunities and smiles. Last week Amelia MET TWO OF HER SPEECH GOALS! Amelia has been working hard at creating longer phrases, having better speech sounds and recently began using an assistive communication device. In one session…
Read MoreIt’s not just cooking!
We piloted the GiGi’s Kitchen program during the COVID shutdowns back in 2020/2021 and we’re able to virtually see our participants getting more comfortable in their own kitchens at home. The kitchen program is now one of GiGi’s signature enrollment/application based programs being offered across the GiGi’s network and we’re happy to be offering it…
Read MoreVirtual Tutoring Success
One of COVID’s silver linings was the introduction of virtual tutoring. Our national office continues to offer many programs virtually via the GiGi’s At Home platform and there are plans for improving and enhancing that platform in the coming year. While the majority of our local one-on-one programs are back in person we do still…
Read MoreThree Little Pigs say “LA LA LA”
Three Little Pigs say “LA LA LA” No, you say that isn’t right, the pigs say “oink” all day and night. This is an excerpt from one of my favorite barnyard animal books and when it gets giggles when I read it aloud, it makes me almost as happy as a recent speech session with…
Read MoreJack Out of the Box
Jack’s speech sessions took a jump out of the box by trying an alternative/augmentative communication (AAC) system with a participant whom many did not think was ready. AAC is not new or really out of the box, but not always an easy choice, especially with rough and tumble-type kids. However, Mom and Ms. Ann our…
Read MoreBubbles & Bananas!
BUBBLES Leah had a best of all moment when we were working on oral motor exercises. Oral motor skills are hard, but bubbles are amazing. The ability to purse your lips correctly and blow the right amount of air for bubbles is a skill you may take for granted. It is actually a task that…
Read MoreDon’t answer the question! What?
Don’t answer the question! What? In speech sessions I frequently have participants repeat after me so I can model correct pronunciation and/or sentence structure. When doing this teaching technique with question skills and a literal/concrete person, like our friends with Down syndrome, you may not get the question repeated, but answered. I have been working…
Read MoreShark Teeth
SHARK TEETH In working with Leah during a recent Speech and Language session, a major breakthrough happened when we called her smile, “shark teeth”. This was while working in a mirror to get proper teeth and tongue placement for making speech sounds. It was difficult to get her teeth closed and showing so I asked…
Read MorePersonal Blog, star date 3.21
Personal Blog, star date 3.21 Ok, so only Star Trekkies will get that, but this is a personal BLOG. As you all may know, while I have been the contracted Speech Pathologist here at GiGi’s for about 2 years this year was my first year of being fully on staff as the Program Coordinator and…
Read More“It was refreshing!”
A new math one-on-one tutor has been very excited and nervous about working with his first participant. Knowing she was only 3 was also exciting and nerve-racking. After watching all the tutoring, many emails with the coordinator, and lots of preparation, it was time for this Palmer student to have his first session. My friends,…
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