Red Flag Behaviors Which May Indicate Hearing Loss in Children

Red Flag Behaviors Which May Indicate Hearing Loss in Children

 Inattentive

 Asks for repetition ("what?" "huh?")

 Exhibits speech or language problems

 Has allergies, frequent colds or ear infections

 Omits endings, i.e. “s”, “sh”, “th”, “f”

 Appears very visual

 Inconsistent Hearing

 Gives answers unrelated to the question

 Tugs at ear or complains of ear pain

 Loud noises are painful

 Exhibits a short attention span

 Is easily distractible

 Seems immature compared to same aged children

 Fails to follow directions

 Strains to listen, favors one ear

 Uses inappropriate speaking behavior

 Watches face of speaker more than normal

 Exhibits poor balance

The Wonderfulness of Me

Robert Tudisco, Executive Director of The Edge Foundation (an organization whose mission is to provide specialized coaching for college students with ADHD), is also a practicing attorney, freelance writer and an adult diagnosed with ADHD. He is an avid runner and shares that running helps him cope with his ADHD. Since his diagnosis, Robert has researched and written extensively on the subject of practical coping mechanisms and systems for adults with his ADHD. His most personal and close to the heart writing, however, is a poem entitled The Wonderfulness of Me. I am very excited to be able to share this poem with you.

The Wonderfulness of Me

If you took all of the things that were special about me, you could put them all together and call it AD/HD. No better, no worse, just different that's me. I'm really not crazy, please try and see. Like a talented wizard in a world full of "Muggles," it's no wonder all you see is frustration and struggles.

As I daydream and drift, you think no one's there but nothing could be further from the truth, believe me, I swear. I see your impatience as my mind starts to wander. But, you don't know the depth of the thoughts that I ponder. For creative thinkers, get lost in deep thought, which leads to the illusion that they cannot be taught.

I know trying to reach me can give you the blues, but I wish for just once, you could walk in my shoes. To see things through my eyes, you would be amazed, at the speed and sheer volume my thoughts seem to blaze.

I'm not lazy or stupid, if only you knew, how truly difficult it is to limit myself and think like you do. But, I can see things that you'll never see; it's like second nature, because I am me.

With lightning fast reflexes, I can switch gears. To be firm and inflexible is the worst of my fears. I'm calm in a crisis and know just what to do for I'm in great company, Mozart , Edison and Churchill to name just a few.

So show me some patience, as I'm patient with you. Just a little tolerance, it's long overdue. Please try and understand me, along with my AD/HD. It's a very big part of the wonderfulness of me.

Welcome!

Welcome back to our returning BEARS and Welcome to our new BEARS!  My name is Penny Kukla (aka Ms. Penny) and I am the Speech Language Therapist at Jefferson!  I have a new room this year - I am now in ROOM 104 which is right by the main office.  Please stop in and say hi!  In addition to this blog, I started a twitter account...follow me @PennySLP for school updates, inspirational quotes, and other educational facts.

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN SUMMER!

Vocal Nodules

The overall aim of voice therapy is to teach a healthy, non-abusive voice production pattern.

Causes

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It is rare to find just one “abusive” behavior producing voice symptoms.

Classically, children with nodules are in the habit of talking too long, too loudly and with too much effort.

Usually children develop vocal nodules or vocal strain due to the interaction of two or more of the following, done to excess:

1. talking and singing, for example: excessive and over-enthusiastic rehearsal of school plays or concerts; excessive choir or solo-singing practice; overusing the voice on school camps or excursions; shouting in the playground; talking and shouting against background noise, such as in a swimming pool; overusing the voice during an infection such as a head cold; cheer leading; and overusing the voice when tired or emotionally upset. Lengthy talking, even at normal rate and volume, but without a quiet “recovery time” can also contribute to vocal strain and nodule formation.
2. glottal attack, sharp glottal attack and forceful use of the voice can seriously damage the vocal cords.
3. coughing, and loud, forceful sneezing: many children with nodules do not rest their voices when they have upper respiratory tract infections, even when their throats are sore. Coughing and sneezing can be particularly problematic for a child with asthma or a post nasal drip.
4. crying, laughing and loud or prolonged outbursts of emotion: for example, even very young children who tantrum frequently can develop nodules. Inappropriate or unresolved coping mechanisms for negative emotions (anger, fear, sadness, nervousness) can lead to bottled up anger, explosive outbursts or irrational behaviour, accompanied by loud, forceful voice use.
5. shouting, cheering and screaming: one loud episode at a sporting event or pop concert is sufficient to produce an episode of aphonia.
6. throat clearing: the chronic throat clearing associated with post nasal drip puts a constant strain on the vocal cords, which are g-r-o-u-n-d together each time the throat is cleared.
7. making sound-effects: explosion and monster noises, especially if they are made while breathing IN (!) put a tremendous strain on the cords, as can assuming character accents, for example Power Rangers, Rambo, Street Sharks, and macho villain and “tough guy” impersonations, and using excessive and deliberate glottal fry when speaking.
8. dryness: the overuse of certain medications, such as cough lozenges, antihistamines and patent “cold cures”, especially in conjunction with voice overuse, infections or allergy dries out the delicate lining of the larynx and vocal cords, making voice symptoms worse. Caffeine (e.g., in cola) can act as a diuretic, adding to drying effects. Mouth breathing is also potentially drying.
9. restricted fluid intake: for a healthy respiratory and vocal system good hydration is necessary. A simple way of checking for adequate fluid intake is to ensure that urine is pale in colour.

Risk factors

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Some children are more vulnerable to developing vocal nodules and vocal strain than others. Children who are more at risk may have one or more of the following:

1. a family with loud voice habits such as yelling around the house and calling from room to room in constant background noise. Some children with vocal problems have developed habitually loud voices simply in order to “get the message across” in a constantly loud household.
2. chronic asthma and/or allergies (including post nasal drip and allergic rhinitis); and incorrect use of some puffers (i.e., no spacer and/or drink of water when they are recommended)
3. recurrent and frequent upper respiratory tract infections including infected tonsils, sinuses, adenoids and throat
4. gastric reflux
5. affective disorders such as attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, or a “temperamental personality”
6. behaviour problems
7. excessive stress or tension in the child’s life, due to internal factors (within the child), external factors (within the environment) or interpersonal factors (e.g., conflict or competition)
8. a loud, outgoing, enthusiastic, competitive personality with a tendency to “act out” emotionally (their parents can often remember them as terrible “terrible two’s” who tantrumed loud and long and who could whinge endlessly). Some babies just seem to be born loud and lovable, and grow into loud and lovable toddlers and children, some of whom are, unfortunately, 'at risk' for voice problems.

May is BETTER SPEECH AND HEARING MONTH

• For over 75 years May has been designated as Better Hearing and Speech Month -- a time to raise public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the various forms of communication impairments to include those of hearing, speech, language, and voice. Communication impairments affect the most vulnerable in our society -- the young, the aged, the disabled, and the poor.
• Speech-Language Pathology (Speech-Language Pathologists) and Audiology (Audiologists) are the professions concerned with the prevention, identification, and treatment of communication impairments. After earning a master’s degree (consisting of required coursework and practicum experiences), passing a national examination, and serving a yearlong clinical internship, these professionals are eligible for certification, in the form of the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (Both of these professions were rated among the top 50 for job satisfaction in recent Jobs Rated Almanac.)

• The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that approximately 43,000,000 people in the United States suffer from a speech, voice, language, or hearing impairment. Almost 28,000,000 suffer from a hearing loss. Approximately 10 percent of children have moderate to severe communication impairments, including speech production/articulation, stuttering, and language-learning difficulties. Children with speech and language impairments are 4 to 5 times more likely than their peers to experience other language-learning disabilities to include significant reading problems. Approximately 1,000,000 people in the United States have aphasia – a language disorder resulting from brain damage caused by a stroke.

• Audiologists test hearing, prescribe hearing aids and assistive listening devices, and they can teach people with hearing loss how to make the most of the sounds they hear. Audiologists must possess a graduate degree and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. They work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and educational settings.

 

• Speech and language disorders take many forms such as speech, articulation, voice, stuttering, aphasia, and oral language problems. They may be learning based, acquired, or the result of accidental injury or illness at any age. Speech and language disorders can limit academic achievement, social adjustment, and career advancement. "Fortunately, most people with speech and language problems can be helped," said Dr. Michael W. Casby, of the Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders, and Oyer Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at Michigan State University. "Even if the problem cannot be eliminated, we can teach people with speech and language problems strategies to help them cope. People may not fully develop or regain their capacity to speak and understand, but a speech-language pathologist can help them achieve an improved quality of life."
• Speech-language pathologists are the professionals who treat various aspects of all types of speech, language, voice, stuttering, hearing, and related disorders. They hold at least a master’s degree and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Speech-language pathologists work in schools, private practice, hospitals, clinics, and other health and education settings.

INFORMATION taken from the Michigan State University Communicative Disorders Department Website

 

Earth Week at Jefferson Elementary School

Earth Week Program

&

Tree Planting Ceremony

friends and family welcome!

• On Friday, April 26th, Jefferson Elementary School will host the 30th anniversary of West Allis being designated with Tree City USA status.
• A 1:30 pm program in the gym will be followed by a tree planting ceremony outside.
• Student inquiry work will be on display throughout the building following the ceremony.
Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase from the Boy Scouts