Promote Speech and Language Development: Tools to Help Your Toddler Talk April is Autism Awareness Month. Speech Delay can coincide with Autism. Communication is always a goal for toddlers, whether communication delay is present or not. You can benefit from tools to promote speech and language development whether your little one is meeting communication milestones or not. Let's look at tools to help YOU help your toddler talk. Start with Sign Language Starting with or relying on sign language is not a hindrance to speech development - quite the opposite! Children mimic motor movements or move their bodies sooner than they say words. Using signs to communicate can help your child get their needs met and reduce frustration while facilitating the use of spoken words. Use Mirrors Liberally What little one doesn't like to look at themselves? They may like to communicate with their reflection. Full length mirrors are great to show body movements that are an important pre-spe...
Suffering from dry skin?! 5 things to stop doing to relieve dry skin. Let's talk dry skin. Your skin is your largest organ, your body's interface with and protection from the environment. Keep it moisturized and intact! I trained in a dermatology office as a physician assistant student. Dry skin was a common complaint. Many clients were shocked at the advice they were given: "I paid a specialist copay for this?!" was a common sentiment. Relieve dry skin by stopping these 5 things, and you may save yourself a trip to the doctor's office! 1. Bathing Frequently Water exposure can be drying and irritating. Reevaluate how many times you are bathing, and for how long. Consider decreasing the overall amount of time you are immersed in water. 2. Bathing in hot water Hot water is especially drying. In addition to the amount of time you spend in water, consider lowering the temperature of the water. Check out this article that says ideal water temperature is be...