News Articles ArchiveFor SLPs: Sample Adult AAC EvalBy: Nicole Lilienthal - August 13th, 2006This sample adult AAC eval report is based on an actual report that resulted in Medicaid funding for the purchase of the recommended voice output device. Use this report as a guide for your own report writting. It is important to check the guide lines for funding with each insurance company you are dealing with. This report follows the suggested guidelines for Florida Medicaid funding as well as Medicare funding as of Fall 2007. Also, check out websites such as DynaVox and Prentke Romich Company for report writing tools and funding advise. Read Full ArticleAugmentative-Alternative Communication: Tips to Help Your Child Use AACBy: Nicole Lilienthal - July 14th, 2006You’ve got the communication boards, picture symbols and/or voice output device but how do you put all of it into action and help your child become a functional communicator? The strategies outlined in this article are specific to AAC users but MUST be used in conjunction with the strategies outlined in "Quick Tips to Encourage Communication for Speaking and Non-Speaking Children." The "Quick Tips" article contains essential strategies for any child who is learning to communicate using symbolic communication via AAC or speech. This article will outline specific strategies to improve communication skills of AAC users. Read Full ArticleSpeech & Language Skills: Quick Tips to Encourage Communication for Speaking and Non-Speaking ChildrenBy: Nicole Lilienthal - July 12th, 2006Whether you are a parent of a young child developing speech or you are the parent of a child with a speech delay or disorder utilizing AAC (augmentative-alternative communication) strategies, the following six, quick tips will help you facilitate your child’s language and communication skills. Read Full ArticleAutism: Characteristics of AutismBy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 30th, 2006In the type and intensity of their symptoms, no two people with autism are exactly alike. They may share common traits, but each individual is as distinct and unique as a fingerprint or snowflake. Given each individual’s unique and often enigmatic array of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment may be challenging. As there are presently no medical tests for identifying autism, the professional’s diagnosis is based solely on observation of behaviors. In the United States, a behavioral checklist known as the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, commonly referred to as “DSM-IV”, is used widely as a diagnostic tool. This article will explore the signs and symptoms of autism as defined by the DSM-IV, provide specific examples of characteristics of autism, and explain the criteria for a diagnosis of autism. Read Full ArticleSpeech & Language Skills: Typical Speech and Language DevelopmentBy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 30th, 2006All children develop speech and language skills at their own rate. Although each child is unique in their development, researchers and scholars in the field of speech-language pathology have developed speech and language developmental milestones to help measure children’s development. Average ages for achieving these milestones have been determined to monitor developmental progress. To better understand speech and language developmental milestones it is important to understand the difference between speech and language skills. This article will explain the difference between speech and language and provide a time line for typical speech and language developmental milestones from birth to 8-years of age. Read Full ArticleAutism: Autism FactsBy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 30th, 2006What is Autism? The Autism Society of America defines autism as “…a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.” Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees of severity, and it is often found in combination with other disabilities. In my experience no two children with autism are alike. This means that no one treatment type or teaching strategy works for all children with autism. Parents must educate themselves about treatment options and choose the philosophy/approach they are comfortable with. While there is no cure for autism, there is hope! Children with autism can learn to adapt and develop coping strategies that will help them reach their full potentials. Proper intervention with parent training can lead to great progress. Read Full ArticleSeeking Services: Nicole Lilienthal, MS, CCC-SLP, PABy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 30th, 2006If you are interested in obtaining speech-language or augmentative/alternative communication diagnostic or therapeutic services please call to schedule an appointment with Nicole Lilienthal at 954-478-4192. I have been providing speech-language services for 7 years specializing in: Augmentative-Alternative Communication: Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC): What Is It and Who Uses It?By: Nicole Lilienthal - April 30th, 2006Can you imagine life without having the ability to speak? Maybe you have traveled in a country where you didn’t speak the language or maybe you have suffered from a bad case of laryngitis and lost your voice? How did this temporary inability to speak make you feel? You may have felt frustrated, but at least you new it was temporary and you were able to use compensatory strategies such as a French to English dictionary, gestures or pointing to communicate. Many individuals who require the use of Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) are also unable to use compensatory strategies such as gestures and pointing due to either cognitive, social skills challenges and/or physical disabilities. AAC is vital for any person who is unable to meet communication needs using natural speech. The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) estimate that approximately 2 million Americans are unable to speak well enough to meet their communication needs. Without an appropriate AAC system these individuals are unable to communicate even they’re most basic wants and needs. This article will explain different types of AAC and how AAC can help non-verbal individuals become more independent, functional communicators. Read Full ArticleAbout Speech Therapy: What to Expect from a Speech-Language EvaluationBy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 23rd, 2006When a child or adult is experiencing difficulty understanding or using language, correctly producing speech sounds, demonstrating stuttering, voice problems, feeding or swallowing difficulties a speech-language pathologist can diagnose and remediate the problem. This article will explain what to expect from a speech-language evaluation. Read Full ArticleAbout Speech Therapy: What to Expect From Speech TherapyBy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 23rd, 2006When results from a speech-language evaluation indicate that speech therapy is warranted, it is important to know what to expect so you can be an active participant right from the start. This article will discuss some general principles of speech therapy and explain what to expect if you are seeking speech therapy. Read Full ArticleAbout Speech Therapy: Finding a Speech-Language PathologistBy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 23rd, 2006When looking for a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to conduct a speech-language evaluation or perform speech therapy there are several factors to consider when searching for a qualified professional including: level of education, credentials, areas of specialization, prior work experience and treatment philosophies. Professionals are often chosen based on word of mouth. While reputation is a good indication you may have found a skilled clinician, there are important qualifications to consider and questions to ask an SLP before you enter into a relationship. This article will explain what to look for in an SLP and what questions you should ask a potential therapist. Read Full ArticleAbout Speech Therapy: What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?By: Nicole Lilienthal - April 23rd, 2006Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), commonly referred to as speech therapists, provide evaluation and remediation services for the following disorders or delays: articulation (pronunciation of words), fluency (stuttering), voice, receptive language (comprehension), expressive language, pragmatic language (social skills), oral motor skills and swallowing. Read Full ArticleAbout Me: About Nicole Lilienthal, M.S., CCC-SLPBy: Nicole Lilienthal - June 19th, 2005Nicole Lilienthal, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist, certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in the state of Florida. Nicole Lilienthal is a private practitioner in South Florida; specializing in the areas of augmentative-alternative communication, autism, developmental disabilities, dysarthria and apraxia of speech. Read Full ArticleAutism Ebook Release: Autism Ebook is Coming SoonBy: Nicole Lilienthal - April 22nd, 2005My new ebook, “When will my child talk?” is coming soon! This book was inspired by hundreds of parents of children with autism and related disabilities with whom I have worked who all ask the same question, “When will my child talk?” This book explains why so many children with autism spectrum disorders have difficulty learning to talk and what you can do to improve the odds that your child will become a functional verbal communicator. “When will my child talk?” provides specific activities for all levels of ability, which can easily be implemented at home. By reading this book you will learn the latest strategies used by professionals to teach effective communication skills as well as exercises and tips to improve oral motor strength and coordination necessary for speech production. Don’t miss out on this unique teaching approach which focuses on teaching communication skills while improving speech production for beginning communicators. Read Full Article |
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