News/Blog

Weak executive functions sabotage our kids’ efforts to organize, plan ahead and make smooth transitions to demanding environments – like virtual or hybrid school. Use these strategies to improve your students’ executive function skills and switch on their ADHD brains for distance learning.

Attention Parents: Helping Kids Cope During the Pandemic The light at the end of the distance learning tunnel is coming…hang in there! We know it’s an understatement to say this has been a challenging time for parents, especially parents whose children have additional needs. As you look toward the summer break, you might be wondering…

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds Amazon affiliate link (opens in a new tab): https://www.amazon.com/Dot-Peter-H-Reynolds/dp/0763619612/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=The+Dots&qid=1567449219&s=books&sr=1-3   This story is a call to overcoming roadblocks and finding one’s creativity. Young children, teens, and even adults will find it relevant. A young girl thinks she’s not artistic, but her teacher advises, “Just make a mark and see…

By Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP I’ve been thinking about the start of the school year, and this story in Edutopia, Helping Students Start the School Year With a Positive Mindset, caught my eye.  Launching into school with a positive mindset is valuable for students of all ages and abilities, and it’s something that educators and…

By Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP For kids with sensory processing issues, ordinary summertime experiences like walking on sand, applying sunscreen, and wearing a bathing suit can present significant challenges. Sensory processing refers to the ability to manage the sensations and feelings that come in through our senses. Some kids may be oversensitive and often feel…

Learn more about CSHA’s 200 by Two campaign by reading CSHA Magazine’s Winter 2019 article. The article features quotes from our very own Audra Elliott, M.S., CCC-SLP as she was a part of the team that developed this important resource. Click article to read more: Article featured in the Winter 2019 CSHA Magazine.

The month of May—Better Hearing and Speech Month—is a great time to raise awareness about communication. The basic ability to communicate and connect with other people is essential to being able to function in school, at work, and within the larger community. It’s a critically important part of everyday life, yet many people face challenges…

In last week’s post, guest blogger and autism expert Kelly Mahler introduced the concept of interoception, the sense that helps us understand what’s going on inside our bodies. The first of her two-part blog series focused on defining interoception and offered examples of challenges that come up when a person lacks interoceptive skills. In this…

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, we are excited to introduce guest blogger and autism expert Kelly Mahler. In a two-part series, she delves into interoception, the sense that helps us understand what’s going on inside our bodies. Developing interoception and body awareness can be a significant challenge for people with autism and related…

By Rediet Kifle, M.S., CCC-SLP and Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP   Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to consider how our students form social and romantic connections. Recently, at one of our school sites, a therapist described a situation involving Jason, a 7th grade boy with high-functioning autism, and Cara, a girl in his class. While…

By Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP   During the recent wildfires, kids in the Bay Area spent many school hours indoors due to the smoky conditions. Being cooped up in the classroom for more than a day or two often leads to feelings of boredom, frustration, and even anxiety or anger.   When children face a…

By Elizabeth A. Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP Author of Make Social Learning Stick! Gratitude is on the front burner around Thanksgiving, but it’s a mindset worth fostering year round.  UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center reports that gratitude plays a major role in adult well-being and that grateful young adolescents (ages 11–13) are happier, more optimistic,…

By Hanna Bogen Novak, M.S., CCC-SLP Co-Creator of The Brain Talk Curriculum (Former CW Employee and Guest Blogger)   Have you ever wondered what is happening inside your child’s brain when she has a big reaction to a seemingly small problem or leaps into action without considering the consequences? Maybe you have wondered these things…

Summer break is often a time for growth, as kids meet new people and try out different activities. The break in routine leaves time to explore and enjoy favorite places as well as unfamiliar spots. Wherever your summer vacation may lead, you can find ample opportunity to help your child practice speech and language skills…

At Communication Works, we love to embrace holidays and special events as teachable moments for speech, language, and social/emotional goals. With Valentine’s Day coming up, we wanted to share some creative ideas from our CW therapists: From Brianna: In my social groups, I do a lesson on compliments for Valentine’s Day. We talk about what…

While making your list of New Year’s resolutions, remember to build in time for self-care. As educators, therapists, or parents—especially when supporting those with special needs—our day-to-day lives can be stressful and focused on meeting the needs of other people over ourselves. There’s a good reason for the statement, “Put on your own oxygen mask…

I was recently at a party where the birthday girl couldn’t hide her disappointment when a certain gift was unwrapped. The boy who had given the gift was visibly shaken up, and I thought about how this drama could have played out so differently. Whether it’s a birthday, the winter holidays, or any other time…

Hands-on crafts activities offer great practice for following directions and sequencing (completing tasks in a specific order with a goal in mind).  Here’s a seasonal activity with modifications for different skill levels to enjoy with your child. Here’s what you need: Paper Glue Leaves that have fallen to the ground Scissors Pen, pencil, crayons, or…

Halloween is a thrilling event for many kids, but it can be overwhelming for those who face challenges with social communication and self-regulation. It can stir up anxiety, confusion, giddiness, and fear. There are many hidden social rules and norms associated with Halloween. Some kids understand hidden rules without explicit teaching and don’t need to…

by Jillian LeVos-Carlson, M.S., CCC-SLP I recently attended my company’s end-of-year party, where we were encouraged to reflect on the recent school year and think of the growth and challenges we’d experienced and what we’d learned and might want to store in our memory for the future. The first thing that came to mind was…