Two-Way Street Communication Services

"I’m frequently broken by the way society silences and misunderstands me."

Audible Canada is offering "Audible Stories" free for kids of all ages during covid. https://stories.audible.com/discovery

Just posting this wonderful resource for therapists and families alike: cooperative games focus on relationships, prosocial behaviour/cooperation, and communication, and provide some essential non-screen time :-)

"Im frequently broken by the way society silences and misunderstands me."

The OHRC Right to Read public inquiry needs to hear from education system stakeholders as to the challenges and barriers that children with dyslexia experience ...to receive timely identification, appropriate reading instruction (so each learns to read), or an assessment. This includes the response [or non-response] that you have had from public school staff; from school board administration & leadership; and, possibly, from the Ministry of Education. As some of you may remember, in April 2018 the Chief Commissioner clearly indicated that learning disabilities - dyslexia - is a disability under the Code. This re-post from April 2018 presents evidence as to barriers and possible areas of discrimination. In addition to yourself, please let other parents within specialty private schools and those engaging tutors know about this Inquiry so they too can share their experiences. As well, the Commission has invited others, such as teachers, to share their insight and experience. Accessible version of this fact sheet here: https://www.decodingdyslexiaon.org//discrimination-in-edu/

A wonderful general care and learning plan for autistic girls in the school environment. ahttps://www.facebook.com/1025042794203353/photos/a.1029738133733819/3412721865435422/?type=3&theater

Tracing letters in shaving cream today was a big hit. A multi sensory approach to literacy instruction keeps the body engaged so the mind is well-supported while it works.

A wonderful idea to help children cope with back-to-school changes, courtesy of Speech-Language Therapist Jude Philip. Thank you, Jude!

Todd Smith, the new Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, announced on Monday that the government will move to design a funding program based on the needs of individual children.

Have you tried turning story time into a collaborative adventure? Shared book reading is a great way to help little ones contribute to the story telling experience, and to their own literacy and language development. Invite them to share what they notice in the illustrations, ask you questions, predict the action. Pause to explain unfamiliar words and concepts. invite them to tell the story back to you. Books are for talking, sharing, learning and having fun together, as well as reading!

This is an excellent educational blog with case studies outlining three different profiles of individuals with Autism. Its author, who is Autistic, has done a great job making her point: a diagnosis of Autism doesn't tell us much, given the wide variation in strengths and needs among those who bear it.

A young woman with Autism expresses how movement and avoidance of eye gaze help her engage with her companions more effectively in a noisy restaurant. She had to give herself permission to "unmask" and do what she needed to to feel comfortable instead of pretending.

Dyslexia-friendly Harry Potter books have been released in the UK

Just arrived: So excited to use these story books by #firstnation #authors and #illustrators in speech and language treatment sessions.

Happy Holidays to you and yours from Two-Way Street Communication Services!

Is your child on a waitlist for speech and language services? Your health benefits may cover private speech therapy. Booking now for fall treatment!

Jamming with bongos and action songs for an 18-month old and her parents today was a lot of fun. The scarf song and the spoon song were big hits. Music is fantastic for early language development! #speech #communication

https://blogs.psychcentral.com//49-phrases-to-calm-an-anx/

9 Tips for communicating better with people with autism

http://www.ctvnews.ca//toddlers-speech-delays-could-be-lin

Volunteering at the Therapeutic Garden at SAH.

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day - Arrrrr! This is a great theme for working on those tough-for-some-of-us 'r' sounds!

Do you suffer from speaking anxiety, imposter syndrome, or would simply like to interact with others more confidently and authentically? ICYMI, Amy Cuddy's Ted Talk on Presence (link below) is a must-see. Her book, Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self To Your Biggest Challenges has changed many people's lives. Amy Cuddy is an inspiration, herself a traumatic brain injury survivor! http://video.ted.com//p/2012G/None/AmyCuddy_2012G-480p.mp4

http://www.ctvnews.ca//small-alzheimer-s-study-shows-new-d

https://www.facebook.com//a.16960612506/1730668613872217/

http://www.ctvnews.ca//ontario-teen-invents-tongue-control

Reading is good for your health.

Thank you to all my amazing colleagues, it's an honour to be among you.

A primer on moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Habits that change the brain for the better brain health. Meditation is one of them.

Meditation is just letting the pulp in your homemade apple juice settle. Whatever helps you do that is meditative practice.

Erin McLeod Speech Pathologist Very interesting research for this common ailment. I wonder if the cytokines are what triggers the acid activity...

Hey Gang: Looking for a way to engage with mindfulness meditation philosophy and practices? Join us Mondays in September at the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, where yours, truly, will facilitate a community dedicated to mindfulness practice and perspectives. All ages, races, abilities and languages are respectfully welcomed. If you would like translation services into a language other than English, just let me know and I can investigate community resources for you. Sessions... will include a reading, walking and sitting meditation practice, and mindful sharing and discussion. All liability is waived, and participants will need to sign a confidentiality arrangement in order to participate. To register, please send your name and contact details, and I will confirm in August with you the time. Admission is by donation and the room is $15 to rent per hour. Please wear comfortable clothing, bring a cushion if you would like to sit on it during the sitting meditation practice. Work from the teachings of Thich Naht Hahn, Tara Brach, and Jon Kabbat-Zin will be shared and inform our time together. Mindfulness practice and philosophy embraces the present moment as the only moment we ever truly have to be alive, well, connected and happy. It is a positive psychology that embraces self- and other compassionate love. It is inherently respectful of all life. It focuses on the breath, heart, mind and body. It requires a sangha, a community of practitioners, to support and nurture. If you have any questions, please PM me and I will happily respond. Wishing you health and happiness over the summer months. Erin McLeod, S-LP, M.Cl.Sc., Reg. CASLPO

Check out this fascinating 3-D computerized rendering of where words are mapped in the brain!

Coverage for medical rehabilitation following a motor vehicle accident is about to change. The standard amount of coverage will drop starting June 1st. Read this article from CBC for details.

Ever wonder what a speech pathologist does?

Read these tips for interacting well with a communication-impaired person. This is a wonderful, and long-needed initiative to allow individuals with speech difficulties the opportunity to experience respectful relating through awareness raising.

Reading and writing the old-fashioned way, on paper, can't be beat. Here's why:

Commentary on impact of recent funding care cuts to services for children with Autism. https://www.facebook.com/twoway.street.1/posts/1721581338056099