Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Speech and language therapy activities/suggestions website

Friday, July 4th, 2008

Hi all, Just came across this great website which provides lots of resources for parents (or speech and language therapists!)  about speech and language activities to try at home; a lot of the activities and suggestions are ones that I typically give to parents wondering about what they can work on at home with ...

When to throw the soother away

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Many children use a soother/pacifier/binky/dummy as babies. It's very common to have a stash of them around your house and in your car for when your child is upset. But how long should a child be allowed to use a soother? There are conflicting reports, some saying ...

Manners Game

Monday, June 9th, 2008

"The Grouchy Ladybug," by Eric Carle, is a fabulous book about a ladybug/ladybird who picks fights with his fellow animals and learns how to be a friend along the way.  It has now been turned into a game for learning size and manners!  I've yet to find it in Ireland, ...

It’s Potty Time

Monday, June 9th, 2008

Many parents we talk to and work with have difficulty teaching their child to use the toilet.  Whilst browsing in Target in the States last week, I found a great new book, "It's Potty Time," that is easy to read with your child and has a "potty chart" in the back ...

Early Language Teaching At Home

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

Deaf children don’t absorb vocabulary or language as their hearing peers do. Instead,  their parents, guardian and/or carers are responsible for this. Language acquisition at an early age is crucial for deaf children, especially in Irish households where both parents may be working outside the home. Time-strapped parents may wonder how to fit their ...

“Where Are All The Deaf People?”

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

A question I’m often asked is, “where are all the deaf people?”. It’s mainly people my age (30s) and upwards who ask this question. Many, never having met a deaf person before, are full of questions about the daily challenges, peoples’ attitudes and so on. Others, not wanting to cause offence, don’t ...

A Hearing Dog Called Smudge

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Hearing Dogs - not yet widely seen in Ireland - are companions to deaf people, and alert their owners to everyday sounds like doorbells, door-knocks, phones and cooker timers that otherwise might go unheard.   Smudge the Hearing Dog features in this contribution to the website by his owner Tina Lannin, from Co Derry & Co Down, ...

Digital Photos For New Words And Concepts

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

This article continues the “Digital Photos Help Special-Needs Children Learn” piece, which is one of the most-read on IDK. Home-made picture books are a brilliant way to teach children with special needs about their home life and the world around them. It doesn’t matter how these books are used, how they’re made, ...

Communication Options Chart for Deaf Children

Friday, May 9th, 2008

Communication is a major decision for parents of deaf children, as it will shape their child’s life and prospects from an early age. The Communications page of this site gives an overview and some tips. This chart also defines all the options and their long-term implications. Note: this chart uses American definitions. For Irish parents, the American Sign Language ...

Know Your Rights Night- For Parents of Children With Special Needs

Friday, May 9th, 2008

Release Communication Intervention and Irish Autism Action Hosts Know Your Rights Night 28 May 2008 7:30pm Fairways Hotel, Dublin Rd, Dundalk Everything you wanted to know about your entitlements but were afraid to ask! Speaking: Jacinta Walsh, Information Officer, IAA, Dundalk Sarah Rennick, Information Officer, IAA, Ireland Additional Speakers to be announced Questions and Answers to Follow Tea, Coffee and Biscuits will ...