Children's Communication Center, Inc. ♦ Lori Savage Grayson, MMSc, CCC-SLP, FSL ♦ Practicing Speech-Language Pathology Since 1979 ♦ Founder ♦ Director ♦ Owner
Category : Back to School , Blog
TRUTH: The countdown to the beginning of school is around the corner.
What, how is that possible?!
I can “see” many of you rolling your eyes and “hear” your deep sighs with the realization that as July comes to an end, you need to think about the end of summer and the start of school in August.
YES, you read that correctly, I said, “August”.
Category : Blog , Speech-Language Pathology & You
Where did the summer go? It seems that Haley, Hope, and Samantha were just welcomed as volunteers for this summer to shadow Lori Savage Grayson.
FSU Summer 2016 Volunteers: L to R: Hope, Samantha & Haley
We thought it would be fun to share some of the activities they were able to observe as this Center‘s friends worked to make improvements and progress on their speech articulation, oral language, written language, and social communication skills.
Category : Back to School , Blog , Speech-Language Pathology & You
Welcoming new volunteers, Mackenzie & Dana! Source: Mackenzie & Dana, 2015
Life has a funny way of introducing you to people. This is my story with Dana who volunteered at this Center during her senior year (2015-2016) at the Florida State University (FSU), my celebration of her graduation from the FSU School of Communication Science and Disorders, and my cheering for her acceptance to graduate school, but that all comes later.
Category : Back to School , Blog
Back to School ~ Photo: PPW
YES, the first day of school will be here before you know it!
To help you get organized and ready to shop, here is your first reminder for Florida’s Tax Free Shopping 2016.
This year (2016), the Tax Free WEEKEND in Florida is Friday, August 5th through Sunday August 7th.
Category : A Day in the Life of This SLP , Autism , Blog
July 20, 2016
Kindness Begins Early, Photo: PPW
Today, as I worked with some of my friends, it seemed that I was battling their creative play which was filled with “rough and tumble” descriptions that some might interpret as hostility.
However, my friends’ descriptions were related, in part, to oral language and social communication challenges, including their inability to understand the “dangers” or “harm” which would arise from their “fast and action packed” stories.
Category : Blog , Video Games
Pokémon GO Parent Training thanks to Nick at the City of Miami Police Department.
Learn about age requirements, Pokéstops, daytime and nighttime Pokémons, and other safety tips while you are “catching ’em all”.
Wonderful video to learn how to play, be safe & have fun!
We are playing here at Children’s Communication Center in Tallahassee too!
Be safe & have fun!
Category : A Day in the Life of This SLP , Blog , Summer News
Consider this a Public Service Announcement (PSA) of sorts which I had not planned, but which developed through a sequence of events.
Today, I opened my AT&T bill and inside was a flyer for the “It Can Wait” Program. This program allows you to “Take a Pledge” to keep your eyes on the road while driving. To date, according to the program’s website, 9,261,876 PLEDGES [have been] MADE!! Let’s get that to jump beyond 10,000,000!
Category : Back to School , Blog , Mindfulness & Our Children
Anyone remember half day Kindergarten? Anyone remember naps once it became full day? Both of these are traditions from the past.
Category : Blog
June 21, 2016
Q: ASK what?
A: Today is Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Day. A day created to increase awareness and understanding in an effort to prevent injuries and deaths from guns that are stored unsafely in homes.
To be absolutely clear, this is a post about the safety of our children (period).
Within each house is a home filled with a family.
I grew up in a home with a father who was a Marine. YES, there were guns in our home.
Were there safety measures implemented in our home? YES
I spent my summers at a sleep away camp owned by my parents. YES, there was riflery.
Were there safety measures implemented at our camp? YES
Do accidents happen? YES.
Can more accidents be prevented? YES.
Did we ask these questions when our children went to the homes of friends? YES
Did any accidents happen anyway? YES
Once with a BB gun.
Do you think we need to ask about BB guns too? YES!
As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) who has spent the last 37 years with children and their families, I know the following statements to be true.
Children know that their parents have guns in the home. How do I know? Children, as young as 3, have told me.
Parents are surprised.
Children know where their parents keep the guns. How do I know? Children, as young as 3, have told me.
Parents are surprised.
Children know where the ammunition is “hidden”. How do I know? Children, as young as 5, have told me.
Children can climb. Children are creative. Children are inquisitive. Children are fast. Children find guns.
Not all guns are secured.
Some guns are loaded.
Accidents happen…
Accidents (maybe not all, but more) can be prevented.
For the love of our children, learn & watch more HERE and ASK.
Thank you to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and Healthy Children for empowering parents and families to ask the right questions.
Let’s keep our children safe. Let’s be the adults. Let’s ASK. Let’s save lives.
To all our children ~
Be Happy… The Best is Yet to Come…
A hopeful day in the life of this SLP,
Category : Back to School, College Edition , Blog , Speech-Language Pathology & You
This summer, the Children’s Communication Center welcomes three Florida State University student volunteers – Hope Leardini, Haley Stuart and Samantha Furukawa. Each is interested in learning more about becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and will shadow Lori Savage Grayson as she meets with her patients.
Learn more about our volunteers:
Hope is a senior double majoring in media communication studies and sociology at Florida State University. She shared that she has a personal reason for her interest and passion for the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Her desire to become an SLP stems from years of watching her brother, who has autism, work with a variety of professionals. Hope is eager to gain SLP experience so that she can do her part by helping those with speech, language, and communication challenges after her graduation.
Haley is a junior at Florida State University pursing a degree in psychology with a minor in child development. She plans on applying to FSU’s Speech-Language Pathology “Bridge” program and continuing on to graduate school to become an SLP. Haley looks forward to focusing on helping children with hearing loss and apraxia. She can’t wait to see the improvements that she can make in children’s lives through SLP services and is excited to be volunteering with Ms. Lori Savage Grayson this summer!
Samantha is a senior at Florida State University studying to receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish. She plans on becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist and working with children with communication challenges. Currently, she is an active member in Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Psi Chi psychology honor society, and Best Buddies, which works with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We are excited to share with these young women what it’s like during a day in the life of an SLP!
FSU Summer 2016 Volunteers Photo: CCC (L to R): Hope, Samantha & Haley