Check Your Child's Speech
                                                   Ease Your Mind
Speech Check
Why isn't he talking yet?  Should he know more words?  Why can't he say that sound?  How can I help?
Therapy Ideas and Information
The following is a collection of therapy ideas and information that parents may find helpful.  The information is provided for
parent education and use at your own discretion.  
Communication Temptations

Children sometimes need to be encouraged to communicate.  These ideas may help.  They are meant to create
situations that will "tempt" your child to communicate.  You want to use them with care though as they may cause
some level of stress or anxiety if used improperly.  As a parent you need to judge how much encouragement your
child needs.  You want to always use the ideas in a positive loving manner.  Along with the activities you should be
waiting expectantly for your child to communicate - use your hands and face to show your child that now it is there
turn.  Wait for a least a count of 10 for your child to communicate.  If nothing happens try again.  

It is good to have a specific goal in mind when using these activities.  Know what your child is capable of and what
you are expecting.  Remember communication is the most important factor.  It matters much less what form it comes
in.  Looks, pointing, words and signs can all tell the same thing.  

  •  Start eating a highly desired food item in front of your child without offering any to your child.  After a few bites
        stop and "ask" if they want any.

  •  Activate a wind-up toy, let it deactivate, and hand it to your child.  He or she needs to "ask" for your help to
        make it go again.

  •  Give the child four blocks to drop in a box, one at a time (or use some other action that the child will repeat,
        such as stacking the blocks or dropping the blocks on the floor), then immediately give the child a small
        animal figure to drop in the box.  This sudden change in routine will cause a temptation for your child to
        question, request or protest.

  •  Open a jar of bubbles, blow a few bubbles, then close the jar tightly and give the closed jar to your child.

  •  Start a fun social game with your child such as peek a boo.  Let it go on for a bit until he or she is enjoying it.
        Then abruptly stop.  Your child needs to "ask" for the game to continue.  

  •  Blow up a balloon and let it fly crazy around the room.  Get it back and hold it so your child can see that all of
        the air is gone.  Wait for your child to "tell" you that they want the balloon blown up again.

  •  Offer your child a food item or toy that you know he or she does not like.  Wait for them to "tell" you that they  
        do not want it.  .

  •  Place a desired food item or toy in a clear container that the child cannot open while the child is watching, then
        put the container in front of the child and wait.  If your child does not react at first try shaking the container a
        bit to get their attention.  

  •  Place your child's hand in a cold, wet, or sticky substance, such as jello, pudding, or paste.  Watch for their  
        reaction as they "tell" you how it feels.

  •  Engage your child in an activity with a substance that can be easily spilled (or dropped, broken, torn, etc.).
        Suddenly spill some of the substance on the table or floor in front of the child.  Be very dramatic about the
        "tragedy" and wait for a response.

  •  Give your child the materials for an activity of interest that needs the use of an instrument for completion (e.g.
        pen, crayon, scissors, stapler, wand for blowing bubbles. spoon, etc.).  Have a third person come over and
        take the instrument, go sit on the distant side of the room while holding the instrument within your child's sight,
        and wait.  Be very dramatic about how you can not continue the activity.  

  •  Put your child's toys up high where they can see them but can not get them with "asking" for help.  

  •  Be creatively "silly".   Create fun situations where you do silly things such as trying to put your child's shoes
        on their hands,  try to feed their belly button, only put on one shoe when you are getting ready to go out.
        Have fun.  It is easy to be silly if you try.