Humboldt Speech & Language Services Ltd.

It is the final day of the official "Speech & Hearing Month," and we wanted to reiterate our core belief here at HSLS Ltd.: Communication is a basic human right, and it can (and does!) look different for different people.

Please reach out if:
👉 you notice differences in your child's communication
👉 you want to know more about communication milestones
👉 you have difficulty understanding your child
👉 you have questions about how to support your child's communication skills

We are here for you!

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: https://humboldtspeech.janeapp.com/

Contact Miranda at [email protected] for more information or to register your child!

As Timon says to Pumbaa, "Our trio is down to two," but sad as we are to see Jen go, we are so grateful and happy we got to work with her this past year at HSLS Ltd.!

Thank you, Jen, for all your work. Keep crushing it at Rural Speech & Language Services in your home community of Watrous! We will miss you!

MIRANDA: Being an SLP is a rewarding career and there are many amazing moments we encounter throughout the year. Communication is the key to connection and facilitating that connection between a parent/caregiver and their child is unmatched. When I can help parents/caregivers learn how to play and have fun with their child a world of learning takes place and their bond is strengthened. Discovering how to unlock a child's ability to communicate in different ways is one of my favourite parts of the job and teaming up with the parent/caregiver to make that happen is so fun!

Mark your calendars for the first ND Girls Group on Saturday, May 25!

This free social opportunity will provide a safe, non-structured environment for neurodivergent kids to meet and be around other neurodivergent kids - however that looks for them!

For more details and/or to register for the group, please email [email protected].

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/z812KmtLxe3ZUmNg/?mibextid=WC7FNe

This is something that often comes up in the office. I WISH I could speak more languages - please, please, pretty please continue to model multiple languages for your kids!

May is Speech & Hearing Month! This month we recognize the dedication and commitment S-LPs and audiologists have in helping individuals with speech, language, communication, hearing, balance, and swallowing disorders.

ERIN: My SLP story boils down to one thing: I love supporting communication, and I feel grateful to be able to do it! It's so much more than speech - it's supporting a person to be who they truly are, and helping them to share that with the world. Yes - I play games and have fun all day, and yes - it's such an honour and privilege.

S-LP and audiology services are underfunded at every level across Canada. From newborn health screening to end-of-care life, access to these services need to be a healthcare and education priority.

2024 aims to highlight the important role communication plays in our everyday lives. It transcends speech and is the essence of human communication. S-LPs and audiologists play an essential role in ensuring everyone has access to this basic human right!

Does your child have speech sound errors that have persisted as they entered school? Does your child have a gap in speech services through the summer months? Speech sound groups might be a great fit to target these speech sounds in a fun group environment!

Email Miranda at [email protected] for more information, or to register your child!

May is Speech & Hearing Month!

Stay tuned this month as I celebrate all things communication 🎉 🗣️👂📲 🤟🏻🎉

👏EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT ALERT!👏

This is a free social opportunity for neurodivergent kids to meet other kids (who may or may not have lots in common with them!) in a low-pressure, unstructured environment. Kids will be invited to engage with toys, games, LEGO, and other kids (if they so choose), however that looks for them. It is open to kids aged 9-13. Please email Erin at [email protected] to RSVP, ask questions, and get more details about the event.

DON'T WORRY! There will be ND Girls' Group happening next month - so stay tuned 🙂

Bad news: When we have ❄️winter❄️AGAIN mid-April, there are unexpected openings in the calendar due to road conditions.

Good news: If you've been on a wait list or having difficulty getting an appointment, there are several openings with Erin today and tomorrow!

Please text or call 306-231-6642 if you'd like to book an appointment. There is availability at 11:30 am or 2:15 pm Thursday, or 10:15 am or 12:45 pm Friday. Stay safe out there!

Autism is a neurotype that is often only identified in children that have higher support needs - leaving kids with lower support needs unidentified and frustrated that everything seems so much harder for them than it seems to be for other kids!

Let’s break this profile down! Autism is characterized by differences in social communication and routines and interests.

🗣️ Social communication:
•Talks about Minecraft frequently - loves to teach and quiz others as well as infodumps
•Says hi and will talk openly with strangers, seeks out adults (this child does this often and generally prefers talking to adults over peers)
•Overshares personal information - will say what he is thinking in a blunt manner, may talk about events considered personal or private
•Makes eye contact, and often looks around when movement or sound distracts him
•Uses phrases “and also” to start interactions and often says “of course” within context
•Plays best when he is in charge and gets to decide how others play and what they do

🔁 Routines, Interests, and Sensory Processing
•Has a plan for how he expects things to go (even if not voiced) and becomes upset or does not participate when these changes occur
•Sensory seeking - runs, jumps, and crashes into the couch and bed. Also eats snacks frequently for oral sensory input
•Loves getting new toys and collecting things but doesn’t really play with his toys in a variety of ways. When he does play, it’s usually themes from his favorite shows, books, and movies

All Children will likely demonstrate these traits at one time or another, but Autistic children may display them more often, more consistently, and/or to a greater extent than neurotypical peers.

Drop your questions in the comments! ⤵️

Heyyyy.

I put this resource together today.

I’m hoping it will be useful in helping adults identify and appreciate all the things that may be contributing to overwhelm and diminished mental capacity in our ND kids.

Because the first thoughts when a neurodivergent kid is having a hard time should not be ‘uncooperative’, ‘non compliant’, ‘disruptive’, or ‘disobedient’.

There are so many other factors at play.
And kids do well when they can (Dr Ross Greene).
In other words, this kid is doing as well as they can with the resources that they have.

I would love for adults to assume that there is a really good reason for all behaviour. And when our kids are properly supported, their ‘challenging behaviour’ happens waaaay less frequently.

I’m hoping this resource helps.
Because we are all doing our very best.

This is free on TPT.
If you search Neurowild and filter by free, you’ll find all my free stuff. And you can set up a free, non-teacher account.

What do you think?

Em 🌈

Today, we are celebrating all the women who inspire us, especially the inspiring women in this building with whom we get to work every day. I can't wait to see what we continue to build, together.

Rural Speech & Language Services Wild at Heart Occupational Therapy Holding Space Counselling & Therapies Revival Massage & Wellness

Lastly, here are a few fun facts about Erin.

Check out the link to book with Miranda, Jen, or Erin today!

👉TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: https://humboldtspeech.janeapp.com/

Can Autistic kids meet milestones? YES- they can meet them in any way - advanced, within the typical timeline, or on a delayed timeframe. Will some Autistic kids NOT meet milestones? Also yes. Everyone’s experiences are valid ❤️

📣 🚨 BIG NEWS ALERT!! 🚨 📣

I am thrilled to share that Rural Speech & Language Services is MOVING to a new location!

Rural Speech & Language Services will be providing services at 403 Main Street in the Watrous Manitou Beach Heritage Centre building. The Heritage Centre is located next to the Post Office in Watrous.

All appointments will occur at this new location beginning March 4th!