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Month: December 2021

reading

Reading Difficulties in Children

The Orton-Gillingham Approach

The path to reading for some children is not often an easy one. It is assumed that children will begin to read and spell naturally.  However, some children may persistently struggle with learning the process of how to read fluently.

Children who demonstrate challenges early on with word recognition, poor spelling, weakened decoding skills, and difficulty with their handwriting may continue to present with deficits within the areas of listening, reading, writing, and speaking, if intervention is not received.

There are numerous reading programs geared toward helping emergent readers as well as older children who are struggling using a more traditional approach to reading.  The Orton-Gillingham Approach was established to help provide a more systematic approach to reading, specifically for children with dyslexia. Research has shown that children without specific learning disabilities could also benefit from this approach in order to help them overcome their specific challenges. 

What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?

The Orton-Gillingham Approach focuses on the five critical areas of reading:

  1. Phonemic Awareness
  2. Phonics
  3. Fluency
  4. Vocabulary
  5. Comprehension

The approach implements a multi-sensory approach by integrating the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic pathways to more efficiently teach children the rules and sequence of reading.

The Orton-Gillingham approach to reading follows a specific format to help teach these language skills and patterns in a systematic way. Orton-Gillingham begins with teaching the individual sounds.  Then it focuses on building words. By doing so, the child visually sees the letters, hears the sounds, then writes the letters.  Thereby, using a multisensory technique that includes these three sensory pathways.  This is referred to as the “language triangle”.

The specific lessons are flexible based upon the child’s level of functioning. They continue to build from simple to complex, as the children are taught the specific rules of language, such as spelling and decoding certain patterns in text. This ultimately helps to build upon their mastery. It leads to automaticity when reading, since there is a continual review of previously learned material during the sessions. The children cannot progress to the next level until they master certain lessons and drills. 

Early Indicators of Reading Difficulties

Teachers and parents will often recognize challenges with pre-reading skills in kindergarten, though some children may not demonstrate weaknesses with reading until after the second grade. Some early indicators of reading difficulties may include:

  • Family history of dyslexia or reading difficulty 
  • Weakened phonemic awareness skills
  • Decreased skill blending sounds and reduced comprehension of rhymes
  • Difficulty with letter and sound recognition 
  • Letter reversals (b-d) and inversions (w-m)
  • Lack of interest or avoidance of reading 
  • Dysfluent speech
  • Articulation errors: substitutions, omissions, cluster reduction  
  • Word retrieval difficulties
  • Frequent spelling errors 
  • Omitting words when reading 
  • Decreased processing speed when verbally responding 
  • Inconsistent memory and recall  
  • Poor executive functioning skills 
  • Weak handwriting skills 
  • Reduced auditory and/or reading comprehension 

Later Indicators of Reading Difficulties

Older children may present with language processing difficulties, as well as persistent challenges regarding their reading fluency, comprehension, handwriting, grammar, and spelling. Additionally, these children may have progressed with reading but continue to demonstrate deficits with clearly expressing their thoughts and ideas, therefore writing, vocabulary, and conversational skills may continue to be weak even years after they have acquired adequate reading skills.

Therefore, a more customized approach is warranted for these children to help them better succeed using strategies that will compliment the specific way they learn. By implementing the specific strategies using the Orton-Gillingham approach, children will continue to build upon their confidence and interest in reading by providing them with the skills they need in order to become more successful and proficient readers.  Does your child struggle?  Schedule a free screening with our Orton-Gillingham trained SLP.

Written by Meghan Grant, M.S. CCC-SLP

Sleeping in crib

Sleeping Safe Baby

It’s getting chilly out there! Are you wondering how to keep your baby warm and safe while sleeping? Here is a quick guide on how to keep your baby safe while sleeping in warm and cold weather!

4 simple steps

1. Place your baby on their BACK during naps and at night.

2. Use a firm mattress in a safety approved crib.
3. No bedding, pillows, bumpers, toys, and stuffed animals in the crib.

4. Baby can share your room but NOT your bed.

sleep arrangement

These simple steps are recommended for any season and time of the year by the CDC and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Always remember! BACK to sleep & TUMMY to play! Click here for more information about the importance of Tummy Time!

Can my baby sleep in a swing or car seat?

Consumer Reports states, “car seats are safe for travel, not prolonged sleep. Parents and caregivers should feel confident that using an infant car seat is essential in a car, but a baby shouldn’t be left unattended in a car seat, it shouldn’t be your baby’s primary sleep space.”
If your baby falls asleep in their car seat, swing, bouncer or any other place that is not a flat firm surface, it is recommended to gently remove your baby from the “container” and place them in a safe sleep space. This allows your baby to move naturally which is essential to typical development. “Container” sleeping is not only unsafe for prolonged sleeping but linked to primitive reflex integration deficits, torticollis, visual deficits, plagiocephaly, toe walking, and delayed milestones.
 

Is my baby warm enough?

To determine if your baby is too warm or cold, feel their chest or back of their neck. They should be warm, not hot, clammy or sweaty. Babies have poor circulation so hands, feet, cheeks, and ears can be cool to the touch during sleep and does not necessarily mean they need more layers. The ideal temperature for a baby’s room to sleep in is between 68-72F (20-22C).

Can my baby wear a hat, socks or mittens?

No, it is not recommended for baby to have any clothing that can come loose to avoid suffocation. Hats are not necessary if baby is dressed appropriately for temperature. Mittens should be avoided as babies use their touch to learn and self soothe. You can clip or file nails often to avoid scratches. Footy PJ’s are a great alternative to keeping baby toes warm.

Can my baby have a blanket?

No. To reduce risk of suffocation avoid using blankets or ANY soft items in the crib. Instead use a sleepsack which is a blanket that baby wears. Be sure to look at the TOG rating of the garment to assess which sleepsack should be used depending on the room temperature. Remember to dress baby for the room temperature and not the temperature outside. It is suggested that you get a room thermometer because baby monitor temperatures can be inconsistent. What is a TOG rating? Thermal Overall Grade (TOG) is a standardized unit of measurement that calculates the thermal insulation of warmth of a textile. Keep in mind every baby is different and always check your baby for warmth with touch as described above. This chart is a general reference of how to dress baby with a sleepsack depending on the temperature.

According to the CDC, In 2019, there were approximately 1,250 deaths due to SIDS, approximately 1,180 deaths due to unknown causes, and approximately 960 deaths due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.  Take these simple steps are the best known ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and allow baby to sleep safely and comfortably.  If you are concerned about your baby’s sleep, tummy time, feeding or any other infant development reach out to your pediatrician and your local pediatric therapists. Have questions?  Schedule an appointment with a pediatric therapist for a free infant screening at BDI playhouse!
Written by: Dana Bukala, PTA
Healthier Garden

Small Steps for a Healthier Life

Worried about your child’s health related to weight?  “The most common causes of childhood weight issues are are genetic factors or family history of obesity; decreased participation in physical activities; unhealthy eating patterns or behaviors; and, in rare cases, medical conditions.” – AOTA.  Do you have concerns about your child? Getting healthier doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Making small changes in activity level and making healthier food choices are a great way to start feeling good and reducing weight related illness.

What can I do to start making healthy changes?

Healthier Park

  • Make conscious decisions about your activities. Start with making small changes like:
  • Adding a little movement to morning routine to get body ready for the day like animal walks or a walk around the block
  • Encourage activities your child and family enjoy. Do you like to dance or play sports?
  • Adapt evening routine to decrease screen time and prepare body for sleep like doing some fun yoga stretches 

 

 

 

 

Healthier Raspberries

How can you make mealtime fun and healthy?

  • Make mealtime a valued time for socializing and sharing
  • Eat dinner together as often as possible
  • Make small swaps for healthier meals like quinoa for white rice
  • Let the kids select a healthy menu and help make it 
  • Add some fun with trying a new fruit or vegetable

 

How to get some quality Zzzz’s? 

Healthier Sleep

  • Provide time for lots of movement throughout the day
  • Keep a consistent wake-up time every morning, and nap time for little ones
  • Have a consistent bedtime routine every night 
  • Decrease screen time in the evening at least 1-2 hours before bed
  • Mealtime should be at least 1-2 hours before bedtime and include complex carbohydrates (fruits, veggies and whole grains)
  • Reduce simple carbohydrates like candy, cakes, cookies, juice, soda
  • Check temperature of room not too hot and more on the cooler side
  • Dim the lights, if child needs a nightlight use a pink light bulb
  • Make sure pj’s are comfortable, not itchy
  • Use white noise to drown other environmental sounds
  • Use lavender or vanilla essential oils for calming scents

Getting healthier doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Making small changes in activity level and making healthier food choices are a great way to start feeling good and reducing weight related illness. If you need support for a healthier lifestyle don’t hesitate to give us a call. BDI Playhouse Children’s Therapy offers free screenings and consultations through telehealth or at one of our child friendly therapy gyms in Aurora and Orland Park, IL.  Our occupational therapists can help you curate culturally appropriate healthy food preparation and meal ideas as well as identify enjoyable physical and social activities for you and your child.

Written by Jessica Frederick, COTA/L

Healthier Climb
Healthier Carrots