Welcome to “On the Horizon”
Issue 39: Language Processing
On the Horizon is an award winning weekly ezine for parents of children with developmental disabilities who want simple, effective strategies to reduce stress, support their child’s development, and improve quality of life for the whole family.
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Improving Your Child’s Processing
 A Note from Nicole: The Importance of Slowing Down
Idea of the Week: Hot Chocolate Tastes
Feature Article: Language Processing
The Horizons Team Recommends: Do Something Daily; RDI® Program
Upcoming Events: Parent Chat; Sibshop; HANDLE® Intermediate Training
Hi Everyone!
Winter has definitely arrived here in Michigan! We had quite a snowstorm on Sunday, so the kids were off from school yesterday and had a delay this morning. Now we all have to get used to driving in the snow and ice again. It’s been slow going on the roads for the past few days. My kids love to play in the snow, so they have been enjoying it. I have to admit it was very pretty on Sunday to watch the snow fall as we decorated our family Christmas tree together. This is the first year we will have a second tree in the family room to hold all of the homemade ornaments the kids have created over the years. We just don’t have enough room on the main tree anymore for everything! I hope you are enjoying holiday traditions with your family during this season.
Last week I wrote about ways to stay sane during the holidays. Erin’s article this week is a great follow-up, as she focuses on the importance of slowing down to allow time for processing. This is important all the time, but especially during this season that has the tendency to get very busy and rushed. Take the time to read it and think about how you can help improve your child’s processing.
Have a great week!
Looking to the horizon,
Hot Chocolate Tastes
Cold days are a great time to enjoy a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. You can even add some fun to your hot chocolate to spice it up a bit. Here are some ideas of things you can add to your simple hot chocolate:
- Marshmallows or whipped cream on top
- Spoonful of peanut butter or caramel stirred in
- ¼ tsp. of spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract are tasty
- Use a candy cane to stir
Language Processing
By: Erin Roon, MA CCC SLP
Over the course of the last month, I have been doing some renewed thinking on language processing. With this reflection, I have come to realize that I take processing for granted so often that I wonder just how much gets missed on a day to day basis. If we really stop and think about processing and the great deal of effort it takes, it is a wonder that we are able to have so many rapid fire exchanges.
Earlier this year, a few of us in the office tested out a processing exercise that one of my colleagues had created for some of the families with whom she works. She wanted to be sure it would work, so we were the guinea pigs. She gave one of the staff members the easy version, and I was stuck with the harder rendition of the task. Of course, the other person finished within minutes, while I took at least 15 minutes to finish mine. For me it was not a matter of if I would finish, but only when. The task took a tremendous amount of brain power, and I commented when finished that I was tired and my brain felt like it needed a rest.
Having that experience made me think about how important it is to remember that many children on the autism spectrum have language processing delays that must, in some way, make them feel just how I was feeling.
Do Something Daily Calendar
Do you dread hearing your child complain, “I’m bored”?
Struggle to think of something fun you can do together?
Have trouble squeezing one-on-one time with her into your day?
That’s why we created the Do Something Daily Calendar. The Calendar offers a daily dose of inspiration and ideas for spending time together—whether you have 60 seconds or 60 minutes.
$19.95 (Per Calendar) Calendars are assembled by clients in our EmployAbilities program. $1.00 from every calendar will be donated to FARR.
For more information, click here.
CORE Approach Program!
Finally – Hope and Real Improvement is Possible for Individuals with Autism and Their Families!
If your child has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, or with a related neuro-developmental condition, you simply cannot afford not to investigate the RDI® Program. If you are ready for a change; ready to step away from the status-quo; ready to stop doing things that aren’t getting you where you want to be; ready to really understand the core deficits creating obstacles for your child; ready to significantly impact your child and your family for the better – then you are ready for RDI®.
Watch the video and learn more here
Please join us!
See our Event Calendar for more details…
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