CBS Therapy

  Children with ASD often qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a Section 504 plan.  Each of these programs promotes support for students to access their learning environment. Anyone on the IEP team can suggest accommodations: Teachers, behavior analysts,  speech-language pathologists , occupational therapists, and even parents and administrators.  Each student should have accommodations in place to best support their unique needs.  Common adaptations fall into the cognitive, sensory, behavioral, emotional, and communication domains.   Cognitive Pre-teaching.  This involves giving children a heads-up before diving into a lesson or new routine.  You can use this accommodation to pre-teach an upcoming fire drill, a new teacher joining the classroom, or novel lesson concepts. Provide short, concise directions.  Clear directions that are understandable to the student can give a child a successful start and reduce confusion. Visual...

If you are searching for the right fit for your CFY program, you may be weighing some essential priorities. It is vital to choose the right practice that will guide you toward long-term success in your SLP career. This  Clinical Fellowship Year  will set the stage for how you bring in clients and foster learning in your students and patients. It’s challenging to go from being the big man on campus to the newest team member in a career. There will be times you don’t know what you’re doing, and you’ll feel confused. It happens. But when you choose a team that is standing behind you, ready to support and help you thrive, then those lost feelings will occur less and less. 3 Things to Consider Before Choosing a CFY Program As you work to complete the final steps of your Speech-Language Pathology education, choosing your Clinical Fellowship Year isn’t something to be rushed. Research each practice to find the best fit for your personality and needs. Some things to consider are: Paid...

  This past year has changed the way many educators are teaching in the classroom. Along with the conventional teacher,  Speech-Language Pathologists  have also learned to adjust to teaching online. While the change can be frustrating at times, it is a method that is convenient for many – and online speech therapy is here to stay. If you are pushing to make it through until this virtual learning period passes, it might be time for a change in mindset. The convenience that comes from setting your child up for speech therapy without getting a babysitter for other kids or sitting through traffic on the way to an appointment has value and might be the preference of some of your patients going forward. 4 Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success in Teaching Online Speech Therapy 1. Secure a Solid Internet Connection:  Most frustrations with online teaching have to do with technology. A reliable internet connection is essential so you aren’t distracted by technical issues dur...

Universal strategies support learning for all students regardless of their disability status. However, systems embedded in the classroom are especially beneficial to students at risk of falling behind or receiving   special education   or related services. Providing best practices to all of your students is a win-win for general and special education staff and, of course, students. Flexible Seating Positive Reinforcement Use a Routine Check-in Provide Extra Time Heavy Work Include activities and games like wheelbarrow walking, hopscotch, four-square, climbing monkey bars, or climbing a hill. Embedded strategies aren’t just for children who receive special education or related services. Try these ideas to help all of your students be their best.

  Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent disorders of childhood. The CDC estimates that between 3 and 7% of school-aged children have ADHD. Characterized by inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity, ADHD impacts many areas of a child’s life. This includes social participation with peers and relationships with adults, academics, executive functioning skills like organization and time management, and more. Pediatricians may recommend medication and/or a variety of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Nonpharmacological Interventions Behavior modification:  This intervention involves using behavioral strategies in everyday routines to provide structure, reward positive behavior, and communicate expectations. Examples of behavior modification may include: A token system. Use of a communication app between home and school. The use of a written or visual routine. These methods effectively improve academic and social performance and are even mo...

Now more than ever, children with special needs benefit from effective collaboration by their interdisciplinary providers. On a given IEP team, a child may have special education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy , physical therapy, applied behavior analysis, and more. In many cases, several of these practitioners may see the child only one time per week. So, what about the rest of the time when the specialists are not in? It is our responsibility to collaborate to provide the child with as much carryover as possible. Schedule designated times for collaboration: It is not uncommon for teachers and therapists to have an impromptu quick chat in the hallway.  While this gives professionals a moment to touch base, it simply does not offer the time, needed preparation, or quality of a pre-planned meeting.  Periodically-scheduled verbal meetings are the evidenced-based standard (Huang et al., 2011). Have an agenda: Be sure to recommend a brief agenda for your aforem...