RTS welcomes speech-language pathologists Robin Schelmotivz and Kathleen Smothers to our team. Robin and Kathleen both bring years of experience working with children who have speech and language needs. We are excited to have them join our team!
Step Up for Down Syndrome!
RTS is proud to participate in Step Up for Down Syndrome, a fundraiser for the Triangle Down Syndrome Network (TDSN). TDSN supports families and children with Down Syndrome throughout the triangle. Please join us for a fun day on October 9 at Brier Creek Community Park. For more information, please click here.
Upcoming Changes to the NC Infant-Toddler Program for Children Ages Birth to Three Years
Beginning July 1, 2011, the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program will be implementing changes which impact the fees, billing, and reimbursement policies for both providers and families. For more information on these significant changes and how they could possibly effect your child and his/her services through the CDSA, please click here.
Posted in Awareness
Tagged CDSA, NC Infant-Toddler Program, Raleigh Therapy Services
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Simply Thick Recall
The food thickener, Simply Thick, commonly used with children who have swallowing (dysphagia) and feeding disorders has been recalled. For more information on this, please visit the Food and Drug Administration website.
SPRING into Good Speech and Language Skills!
Since it is spring as well as Better Speech and Hearing Month, we would like to share a simple analogy with parents and teachers to help encourage speech and language development with infants and toddlers. Happy speech and language learning this spring!
Your speech should….
Simple but not “baby talk.” ~Example: Instead of saying “Put your big, blue shoes on the lower shelf when it is time to take a nap and remember to get your mat,” try “Get your mat. Put your shoes up for nap time.”
Pause so that child has time to respond. Reduce the number of questions asked to the child and tolerate silence in between communication exchanges.
Repeat the word you want the child imitate or say. Keep repeating it! ~Example for target word ball: “You have a ball. Let’s throw the ball. Ready, set, go! Throw the ball to me! That’s right! You threw the ball!.”
Interpret what the child says. Say a word another way that might be easier for the child to imitate.
Narrate and talk about what you are doing and what is going on at the time.
Gesture to try and supplement speech with visual gestures and facial expressions.
2011 Run, Walk, and Roll…a Success!
Raleigh Therapy Services was pleased to participate for the 3rd year in a row at the Run, Walk, and Roll which benefits Telability and the children and families who participate in this program. It was a spectacular day and fun was had by all. RTS’ own physical therapist, Whitney Woodhull-Smith, ran in the 5K. We enjoyed talking with families and other professionals within the community. The 3rd Annual Run, Walk, and Roll was a huge success, and we look forward to being a part of the fun next year!
L to R: Allison Crumpler, Natalia Gomez, Kelly Farmer, Amanda's daughter, Amanda Pacheco
Posted in Advocacy, Awareness, Community Events, RTS Team
Tagged Raleigh Therapy Services, Run Walk Roll, Telability
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May is Better Speech and Hearing Month!
The month of May is dedicated to increasing awareness about communication disorders and the treatment that is available for children and adults who have difficulty hearing, speaking, and/or understanding. At Raleigh Therapy Services, we have a large team of highly qualified speech-language pathologists who are well-equipped to screen, evaluate, and/or provide necessary treatment to improve the quality of life for those with communication disorders. Some reasons for a referral to a speech-language pathologist may include:
*Difficulty understanding vocabulary and/or following directions.
*Difficulty being understood by others.
*Decreased expressive vocabulary.
*Stuttering.
*Difficulty producing certain sounds.
*Problems with reading.
*Swallowing/feeding problems.
*Social skills problems.
If you have questions about your child’s speech and language skills or would like a FREE screening, please call our office.
*Please note that if a speech and language screening is conducted and results warrant further assessment, therapy cannot be started until a full evaluation has been completed.
Speak NC: Speech Therapy Services
Speak NC is a video documentary series which highlights services provided by state government. This week’s documentary focused on speech therapy services and featured RTS’ own speech-language pathologist Allison Crumpler. Click the link below to watch!
Posted in Advocacy, Awareness, RTS Team
Tagged Raleigh Therapy Services, Speak NC, Speech Therapy
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Eating Smart and Moving More
~Submitted by Whitney Woodhull-Smith, DPT-Raleigh Therapy Services Physical Therapist
Eat Smart, Move More!
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in North Carolina and the United States. Physical activity is one of the key lifestyle factors that can help you and your children achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Please visit www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com for more information.
A take home message to apply to your every day life from this great site: “5-3-2-1-Almost None”
- 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily
- 3 structured meals daily – eat breakfast, less fast food, and more meals prepared at home
- 2 hours or less of TV or video games daily
- 1 hour or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily
- Limit sugar-sweetened drinks to “almost none”
April is Occupational Therapy Month!
April is occupational therapy month and at RTS, we have awesome occupational therapists who provide extraordinary care and services to their patients! Our occupational therapists are a vital part of our team and help our speech therapists and physical therapists as well as caregivers know how to best work with children who may have fine motor delays, visual perceptual difficulties, sensory processing issues, handwriting problems, etc.
For more information about our occupational therapists and possible reasons for an evaluation or treatment, please visit the occupational therapy page of our website. Also, check back for new blog posts related to occupational therapy during the month of April.
Posted in Advocacy, Events, RTS Team
Tagged Occupational Therapy, Raleigh Therapy Services Inc.
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