<\/p>\n

A+ Solutions and the Mandel JCC Early Childhood Center are hosting an evening with Odette Hankins, MS. CCC-SLP
\nHer topic:
\nSocially Speaking: The Link Between Language and Social Skills<\/strong><\/a>
\nThis is such a vital issue. It is important for parents to understand language development and how it impacts on their children’s social lives.
\nI 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:<\/p>\n

Can you tell us a little about yourself?<\/b><\/p>\n

My name is Odette Hankins, and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist.\u00a0 I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, but I went to college and graduate school in Texas.\u00a0 I moved to Cleveland in 1986, but I still have a lot of the \u201csouth\u201d in my blood.\u00a0 My family still lives there, and I visit quite often.<\/p>\n

I am married, and my husband and I have four children.\u00a0 We originally lived in Bainbridge but moved to Pepper Pike in 1995.\u00a0 We enjoy swimming, camping and getting together with friends.<\/p>\n

I have been practicing Speech Pathology since 1984.\u00a0 I have worked with children as young as 18 months and as old as 20.\u00a0 Although I have worked with some adults, I prefer to work with children.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

I also teach private piano lessons and have been doing so since 1978.\u00a0 Speech Pathology is my career, a career that I love, but music is my passion.<\/p>\n

What is the most important thing parents need to know about\u00a0their child\u2019s language development?<\/b><\/p>\n

First and foremost, every parent should understand that all children are different and develop at different rates.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

In the area of language development, it is important for parents to know that babies begin developing from the moment they are born.\u00a0 Some even believe that language development begins while the child is in utero; they can hear voices and sounds before birth.\u00a0 Babies are born into a language-rich world.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 As children grow, they need to be immersed in a world full of sounds and words.\u00a0 Then, they will begin to use words to express themselves and to interact with those around them.\u00a0 Two-way conversations can begin as early as the child\u2019s first vocalizations.\u00a0 This is the way that they learn that they are part of a family, a community and a society.<\/p>\n

When should a parent start to worry about their child\u2019s language development?<\/b><\/p>\n

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\u2019s language development.\u00a0 First, children typically say their first word around 12 months.\u00a0 However, there are many, many children who say their first word later than that.\u00a0 Going forward from there, by 18 months, children should have around 50 words in their repertoire.\u00a0 If a child only says 10-20 words at this time, then a parent might consider consulting his\/her pediatrician or Speech Pathologist.\u00a0 Additionally, around 24 months, a child usually says 200-300 words.\u00a0 If the child is only expressing 50 words, then a consultation might be warranted.\u00a0 Additionally, by 24 months, a child is typically putting two words together to ask questions and make comments.\u00a0 Beyond the age of two, children use more and more words and their sentences become longer.\u00a0 Thus, if a parent notices that a child\u2019s speech and language is not progressing, they he\/she should consult his\/her doctor or a Speech Pathologist.<\/p>\n

In another area, a parent should watch for their child\u2019s attention to and understanding of sounds, words, sentences, etc.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

What do you love most about being a speech pathologist?<\/b><\/p>\n

I love being a Speech Pathologist because I love working with children.\u00a0 Although many Speech Pathologists work with adults, I have chosen to only work with children.\u00a0 I truly feel that they teach me more than I teach them.\u00a0 They are smart, funny, kind and curious.\u00a0 They say things daily that make me laugh, smile and even shed a few tears of joy.<\/p>\n

Additionally, I love working in the one area that sets humans apart from other species \u2013 the ability to communicate.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Being a speech pathologist puts you in the position of helping parents all the time. What encouragement can you give parents?<\/b><\/p>\n

Communication with parents and support from them is essential in order for a child to succeed with his\/her speech and language goals.\u00a0 A child is only with a Speech Pathologist for a certain number of minutes\/hours per week.\u00a0 However, a parent is with his\/her children a great deal more than that.\u00a0 Therefore, it is important that a parent follow through at home with any \u201chomework\u201d provided by the therapist.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 They should use clear and simple speech when speaking with their child.\u00a0 They can ask questions to encourage the child to verbalize.\u00a0 They can read to their child every single day.\u00a0 They can provide choices throughout the day.\u00a0 They can name things in the environment so their child\u2019s vocabulary can expand.\u00a0 They can sing songs, play games, and basically, have fun with their child.<\/p>\n

The most important thing to remember, though, is that if there are concerns about a child\u2019s speech and language development, there are many, many resources available to help both the parent and the child.\u00a0 Pediatricians, Speech Pathologists, Neurologists, Psychologist and Teachers, just to name a few, are ready to support in any and all ways.<\/p>\n

We are looking forward to Odette’s talk!
\nYou can sign up here:<\/p>\n

Socially Speaking: The Link Between Language and Social Skills<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n