A+ Solutions and the Mandel JCC Early Childhood Center are hosting an evening with Odette Hankins, MS. CCC-SLP
Her topic:
Socially Speaking: The Link Between Language and Social Skills
This is such a vital issue. It is important for parents to understand language development and how it impacts on their children’s social lives.
I wanted you all to get to know Odette before our talk next weeks, Tuesday, October 21st at 7:30pm at the Mandel JCC, so I interviewed her. You will love what she has to say:
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Odette Hankins, and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, but I went to college and graduate school in Texas. I moved to Cleveland in 1986, but I still have a lot of the “south” in my blood. My family still lives there, and I visit quite often.
I am married, and my husband and I have four children. We originally lived in Bainbridge but moved to Pepper Pike in 1995. We enjoy swimming, camping and getting together with friends.
I have been practicing Speech Pathology since 1984. I have worked with children as young as 18 months and as old as 20. Although I have worked with some adults, I prefer to work with children. My areas of expertise include articulation and language disorders, but I have worked with children on the Autism spectrum as well as those who have Down Syndrome.
I also teach private piano lessons and have been doing so since 1978. Speech Pathology is my career, a career that I love, but music is my passion.
What is the most important thing parents need to know about their child’s language development?
First and foremost, every parent should understand that all children are different and develop at different rates. Of course, we all expect a child to hit certain milestones within a specific age range, but it is natural for parents to be apprehensive about how their child is developing mentally, emotionally and physically.
In the area of language development, it is important for parents to know that babies begin developing from the moment they are born. Some even believe that language development begins while the child is in utero; they can hear voices and sounds before birth. Babies are born into a language-rich world. They listen to people talking to them, they hear sounds in the environment and they begin to make noises and vocalizations to express emotions, wants and needs. As children grow, they need to be immersed in a world full of sounds and words. Then, they will begin to use words to express themselves and to interact with those around them. Two-way conversations can begin as early as the child’s first vocalizations. This is the way that they learn that they are part of a family, a community and a society.
When should a parent start to worry about their child’s language development?
Again, keeping in mind that there is a range of normal development, there are some signs that a parent can look for if he/she is worried about his/her child’s language development. First, children typically say their first word around 12 months. However, there are many, many children who say their first word later than that. Going forward from there, by 18 months, children should have around 50 words in their repertoire. If a child only says 10-20 words at this time, then a parent might consider consulting his/her pediatrician or Speech Pathologist. Additionally, around 24 months, a child usually says 200-300 words. If the child is only expressing 50 words, then a consultation might be warranted. Additionally, by 24 months, a child is typically putting two words together to ask questions and make comments. Beyond the age of two, children use more and more words and their sentences become longer. Thus, if a parent notices that a child’s speech and language is not progressing, they he/she should consult his/her doctor or a Speech Pathologist.
In another area, a parent should watch for their child’s attention to and understanding of sounds, words, sentences, etc. If a child does not attend to sounds in his/her environment, or if at an older age, the child does not or cannot follow age appropriate directions, the parent should seek help.
What do you love most about being a speech pathologist?
I love being a Speech Pathologist because I love working with children. Although many Speech Pathologists work with adults, I have chosen to only work with children. I truly feel that they teach me more than I teach them. They are smart, funny, kind and curious. They say things daily that make me laugh, smile and even shed a few tears of joy.
Additionally, I love working in the one area that sets humans apart from other species – the ability to communicate. I love having the chance to help children be able to say what they want and need and to make a real difference in the lives of children.
Being a speech pathologist puts you in the position of helping parents all the time. What encouragement can you give parents?
Communication with parents and support from them is essential in order for a child to succeed with his/her speech and language goals. A child is only with a Speech Pathologist for a certain number of minutes/hours per week. However, a parent is with his/her children a great deal more than that. Therefore, it is important that a parent follow through at home with any “homework” provided by the therapist.
With that being said, the best way for a parent to follow through at home is by providing a natural environment for the child to use language. They should use clear and simple speech when speaking with their child. They can ask questions to encourage the child to verbalize. They can read to their child every single day. They can provide choices throughout the day. They can name things in the environment so their child’s vocabulary can expand. They can sing songs, play games, and basically, have fun with their child.
The most important thing to remember, though, is that if there are concerns about a child’s speech and language development, there are many, many resources available to help both the parent and the child. Pediatricians, Speech Pathologists, Neurologists, Psychologist and Teachers, just to name a few, are ready to support in any and all ways.
We are looking forward to Odette’s talk!
You can sign up here:
Socially Speaking: The Link Between Language and Social Skills