More than Child’s Play

Early Identification and Treatment of Hearing Loss with Sydney Bassard, MSP, CCC/SLP

Listen in as we discuss early identification and treatment of hearing loss in infants and toddlers.  Sydney lists signs and symptoms to look for in infants and toddlers that could indicate possible hearing loss and how to advocate for your child if you have concerns about your child's hearing.  Sydney shares when hearing first develops (it's sooner than you think!) and why and what to do if baby fails the initial hearing screenings.  We talk about early amplification options and the recommended ages baby can access them along with the impact too many ear infections may have on hearing.  This podcast episode if full of information great for parents of littles but also professionals in the field to stay abreast of what to look for and educate families on when it comes to hearing.

Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health in Pandemic Times with Melissa Swartz, LPC, Trauma Therapist

We don’t know a parent who hasn’t expressed concerns about their children’s mental health over the past year.The amount of unpredictability, fear, change, and interruption to daily life and stress they have experienced in their homes has affected them all in some way. Join us as we learn from Melissa Swartz, LPC, Trauma Therapist. Melissa has extensive training in neuroscience, evolutionary biology, stress science, nutrition, and acupuncture. She graciously shares her expertise as we bring to her questions from our listeners and ourselves around mental health for adolescents and teens during the Covid-19 global pandemic. We talk about how Covid has affected our children. We touch on recognizing signs and symptoms for younger children and teens and knowing when our children and teens may need help and how to approach them and access it with them. Melissa provides meaningful education and resources around identity issues and development, social and educational re-acclimation stress, and secondary mental health concerns such as eating disorders, cutting, and other dangerous behaviors.She shares thoughtful resources on coping, improving sleep and general health, and wholistic and targeted interventions to support therapy interventions. Melissa also answers questions adult and teen listeners shared. This may be the most impactful podcast episode we’ve shared to date. As the need for mental healthcare for children and teens grows, we hope this conversation will empower you to better care for yourself and your family.

Roadblocks to Natural Development Series: #2 Prolonged Sucking

Often times there are roadblocks that get in the way of natural child development.  These roadblocks are sometimes created by adults caring for children and are sometimes biological factors that go undetected.  In this podcast series we will identify eight of the most common roadblocks and share strategies to address them.  In this episode Lacy and Nicole discuss why babies suck and the recommended ages for weaning baby from the bottle and pacifier.  Risks for not weaning baby when recommended are mentioned along with strategies on how to wean baby from the bottle and pacifier.  When to introduce open cup and straw drinking is discussed along with why drinking from a sippy cup is not a developmental milestone.  Be sure to listen to the first episode in this series, Roadblock #1 Lack of Tummy Time and look for the next six podcast episodes highlighting the other roadblocks to natural development: media and screen time exposure, missed diagnoses, undetected vision loss, undetected hearing loss, nutrition and allergies and over-parenting/a faulty sense of what's typical.  To learn more about these Top Roadblocks to Natural Development visit the Milestones & Miracles website (www.milestonesandmiracles.com) and take our continuing education course offered through Medbridge Education

Roadblocks to Natural Development Series: #1 Lack of Tummy Time

Often times there are roadblocks that get in the way of natural child development.  These roadblocks are sometimes created by adults caring for children and are sometimes biological factors that go undetected.  In this podcast series we will identify eight of the most common roadblocks and share strategies to address them.  First up is lack of tummy time.  Listen in as Nicole Sergent, pediatric physical therapist, discusses why tummy time is so important for infants, when and how to incorporate it into baby's daily routines and solutions if baby doesn't care much for tummy time.  Nicole also shares implications for baby if not enough tummy time is offered.  Be sure to look for the next seven podcast episodes in this series highlighting the other roadblocks to natural development: prolonged bottle/sippy/pacifier use, media and screen time exposure, missed diagnoses, undetected vision loss, undetected hearing loss, nutrition and allergies and over-parenting/a faulty sense of what's typical.  To learn more about these Top Roadblocks to Natural Development visit the Milestones & Miracles website (www.milestonesandmiracles.com) and take our continuing education course offered through Medbridge Education.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Signs and Symptoms, Therapy and Tips with Laura Smith, MA, CCC/SLP

Laura Smith, MA, CCC/SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).  Laura is also the person behind SLP Mommy of Apraxia.  After Laura's daughter was diagnosed with CAS, her passion to learn as much as possible about apraxia began.  In this podcast episode Laura shares her and her daughter's story from before diagnosis to treatment.  She identifies early signs and symptoms of CAS that can be identified before the age of 2.  We discuss some of the more common diagnoses that often coexist with CAS and Laura offers advice to parents on what type of therapy and treatment is best for a child with CAS.  Lastly, Laura describes at-home strategies for parents of children with CAS to help support their communication skills.  This podcast benefits early intervention providers, furthering their knowledge of CAS and how to better identify it in the birth to three population and parents as they work to better understand CAS and more effectively help their child.  Feel free to reach out to Laura at lauraslpmommy@gmail.com, find her on Facebook at SLP mommy of Apraxia/Dyspraxia/Dyslexia and on Instagram @slpmommyofapraxia.

An Introduction to Orofacial Myology, OMDs and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy with Kelly Benson-Vogt, M.A., CCC/SLP, COM

In this episode Kelly Benson-Vogt, M.A., CCC-SLP, COM, certified Orofacial Myologist, defines orofacial myology and describes the characteristics of a myofunctional disorder.  She explains what to expect in orofacial myofunctional therapy and at what age she recommends it.  From this episode you will learn what to look for that may indicate your child or the children you serve have an OMD (orofacial myofunctional disorder).  Prevention and mitigation strategies for early intervention therapists are mentioned and there’s even a brief discussion about pacifier weaning!  Listen in to learn from Kelly’s expertise.  If you’d like to reach out to Kelly following this episode you can email her at kelly@pediatricfeedingandspeech.com or visit her website at www.pediatricfeedingandspeech.com.

AAC: what it is, when to use it and why it matters with Tabi Jones-Wohleber, M.S., CCC-SLP

In this episode Tabi Jones-Wohleber, M.S., CCC-SLP, AAC specialist and early intervention provider, defines what AAC is and it’s importance for all children as they learn to communicate.  Tabi debunks the top three myths surrounding AAC and explains why and when to introduce AAC with the early intervention population.  She defines what “core vocabulary” and a
“robust” AAC system are and gives her recommendations for furthering your knowledge about AAC.  Tabi’s passion for AAC shines through in her knowledge and excitement in discussing this topic.  As a parent this episode will leave you understanding how you can better support your child’s developing communication skills and as a therapist you will deepen your understanding of AAC, build your confidence in discussing it’s importance with families and leave you excitedly wondering which of your clients may benefit from introducing AAC.  Tabi can be reached at tabi@communicationaactualized.com or you can find her on facebook.

Unwrapping 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Creating their annual Holiday Gift Guide is one of Lacy's and Nicole's favorite and most fun things to do. Take these pediatric therapists and play advocates shopping with you this year as they highlight and link favorite baby toys, gross and fine motor toys, language toys, and toys for teens and families. New this year are fun finds for learning at home since so many children are doing just that in 2020. Join in this jolly and informative chat with Lacy and Nicole (and a few of their own children) so that your selections for the children in your life this year are meaningful and enjoyed for years to come! 

Caring for Children During Covid: Your questions answered with Dr. Lisa Costello, MD, MPH, FAAP

Stressed about making decisions involving your child’s education, activities, and your family’s safety during the pandemic? Join us as we speak with Dr. Lisa Costello, MD, MPH, FAAP.     "Dr. Lisa" is an experienced pediatrician and public health expert, a dedicated community servant, and an advocate for children's health and wellness in local and national arenas with a LONG and DISTINGUISHED list of accolades and work in pediatrics and public health (see linked bio). She has spent a great deal of time this year working on the Covid pandemic and it's impact on public health and the pediatric population working with the Bureau of Public Health on their Covid pandemic response. .  Dr. Lisa skillfully answers our questions and those of our listeners relating to navigating, living, parenting, and educating in the time Covid.

Episode Highlights:

Questions regarding general virus info: 7:34

Questions related to sports and activities: 19:37

Questions related to family interactions: 33:35

Questions related to masks and hygiene:  42:56

Questions related to immunity and regression of pediatric development in times of stress: 56:34

Questions regarding school reentry: 1:01

Physical and mental health considerations around Covid and children: 1:10

Growing Up Bilingual

In today's episode, we welcome Nicole's cousin Tania C. Tania lives in the south of France and while here in the US visiting family she joined our podcast! Tania is the mother to a 6 year old daughter who is a bilingual learner (French & English). In this conversation, she discusses her experience of introducing and living life in two languages. We compare and contrast motherhood in France and America including pregnancy and delivery, maternity and childcare options, school experiences, and cultural similarities and differences in parenting. A la prochaine fois pour un nouveau épisode!