Category Archives: Speech

Therapro is Celebrating National Speech-Language-Hearing Month!

May 7, 2024Feeding Therapy, SpeechGuest Blogger

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a special month dedicated to raising awareness about speech, language, and hearing disorders. National Speech-Language-Hearing Month is an opportunity to recognize the challenges faced by individuals with communication difficulties and to honor the devoted professionals who support them on their journey to improved communication skills. The purpose of this month-long observance is to raise awareness, promote understanding, and encourage intervention for those who have communication challenges.

Specialists who make a difference in the lives of individuals with communication challenges include Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and Audiologists. SLPs identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Audiologists prevent and assess hearing and balance disorders, and provide audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Their expertise, compassion, and commitment contribute to improved communication outcomes and enhanced quality of life for their clients of all ages.

At Therapro, we truly value our colleagues in the fields of speech, language, feeding/swallowing, and hearing. The Therapro website is full of resources dedicated to these areas!

Therapro has an entire catalog dedicated to Speech and Language targeted areas including assessments, articulation and phonology, functional language and literacy, social-emotional language, and more. This catalog is free, and available at therarpro.com!

Therapro is also the go-to resource for therapy professionals. We have a library of FREE relevant webinars such as; Elevating Articulation Therapy: Using Kokolingo for Effective Speech Therapy Sessions, Reframing Our Thinking as SLPs: The Language-Literacy-Dyslexia Connection, and A + B + C: AAC, Behaviors & Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Therapro is also a proud supporter of our fellow therapists who are writers and creators. Our most recent publication is Social Language Rules & Tools: A Preschool Curriculum, authored by Deborah Fortin, MSPA, CCC-Speech. We proudly feature the Sensory Spoon, designed by two Therapro occupational therapists and Mary Schiavoni, MS, CCC-SLP, creator and owner of Chewy Tubes. Another resource for feeding therapy is the publication Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment. This comprehensive anthology is edited by Kelly VanDahm, MS, CCC-SLP, and holds chapter contributions from a roster of esteemed clinicians.

The sensory spoon — Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Numerous resources are available for those seeking assistance with speech, language, or hearing issues. Online support groups, educational materials, and information about local clinics and specialists can help individuals and families navigate the journey toward improved communication. National Speech-Language-Hearing Month serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking early intervention and accessing the support needed to overcome communication challenges.

As we celebrate National Speech-Language-Hearing Month in May, Therapro honors the dedicated professionals and advocates in the field, extends our gratitude, and applauds their wholehearted efforts in improving the lives of those with communication challenges.

Guest Blogger:
Filomena Connor, MSOT – Retired

Unveiling the Excitement: ASHA Schools Connect 2023 Highlights

August 1, 2023Conferences, Feeding Therapy, Speechasha schools connect, conferences, ezpz, kokolingo, new products, novenops, slp, speech language pathologyAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

Preview in new tab

Creating community, supporting students at the ASHA Schools Connect 2023 conference!

From July 13th to July 15th, 2023, Long Beach, California witnessed a vibrant gathering of school based speech and language professionals and vendors at the 2023 ASHA Schools Connect conference. Our team from Therapro was delighted to participate in this enriching event, and we are excited to share with you the three standout highlights from this remarkable conference.

1. Expanding Horizons: Connecting with Vendors and Embracing Innovation

One of the most exhilarating aspects of ASHA Schools Connect 2023 was the opportunity to connect with vendors who showcased cutting-edge products and assessments. For Therapro, this was a gateway to introducing new items on our website and expanding our range of therapeutic supplies. Among the remarkable additions are the innovative ezpz feeding products, designed to make mealtime a breeze for children with various needs. These products promote independence and self-feeding while encouraging healthy eating habits.

In addition to feeding products, we have also embraced new evaluation tools that empower speech-language pathologists in their practice. Some new additions to the Therapro website include the Oral Passage Understanding Scale (OPUS) and the Early Functional Communication Profile (EFCP) . The OPUS has proven to be a valuable tool for assessing listening comprehension and the EFCP measures subtle, functional changes in nonverbal communication skills in children with severe disabilities.

Be sure to check out all of the new products recently added to the Therapro website and stop back often to see all of the updates that are coming!

2. Empowering Therapists: Product Demonstrations

The Therapro booth at the conference showcased the latest therapeutic products, with a focus on empowering therapists and engaging their young clients. One of the best parts of conferences is debuting our newest products. At ASHA Schools Connect the star attractions was Kokolingo, a versatile and interactive language-building game. Its adaptability allows therapists to customize sessions according to individual goals, making articulation therapy engaging and fun for children of all ages.

Beyond unveiling new products, we also reintroduced classic favorites like NOVENOPS. This captivating game has been a staple in speech therapy for years, promoting language skills and cooperation among players. As therapists and attendees rediscovered the joy of NOVENOPS, it served as a reminder of the enduring impact of tried and tested therapeutic tools.

3. Spreading Joy: Prizes and Giveaways

ASHA Schools Connect 2023 was not only an occasion for learning and networking but also a time for celebrating the community’s dedication and passion. As part of the festivities, Therapro proudly hosted a series of exciting giveaways, including a generous Therapro gift certificate. This certificate gives therapists the freedom to explore our extensive catalog and select the supplies that best suit their therapeutic needs.

In addition to the gift certificate, we were thrilled to give away a copy of “Social Language Rules and Tools: A Preschool Curriculum,” an essential book for professionals seeking to enhance social communication skills in preschoolers. This valuable resource is packed with practical strategies and activities to foster meaningful connections and enrich social interactions.

picture of woman holding the book social language rules and tools

picture of a woman holding the therapro speech and language catalog

Embracing Growth, Innovation, and Collaboration

The ASHA Schools Connect 2023 conference was a success for Therapro, fostering new partnerships, introducing innovative products, and reigniting enthusiasm for timeless therapeutic tools. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an enriching event, and we’re thrilled to share these highlights with our community of therapists.

As we move forward, we are committed to continuously expanding our range of therapeutic supplies, ensuring therapists have access to the latest tools to empower the young minds they work with. At Therapro, we firmly believe in the power of growth, innovation, and collaboration, and we are excited to embark on this journey together with all the incredible professionals who make a difference in the lives of children every day.

We eagerly look forward to the next ASHA Schools Connect event, where we can once again join this dynamic community, learn, grow, and celebrate the remarkable field of speech and language therapy.

Celebrating Therapro’s Speech Language Pathology Authors & Creators

May 8, 2023Speechbetter hearing and speech month, feeding, sensory, social language, social skills, speech and language authorsAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

Therapro is celebrating its speech language pathology authors and creators during Better Hearing and Speech Month 2023. Read on to learn more about these great speech language pathologists and their creations!

Deborah Fortin, MSPA,CCC-Speech is the author of Social Language Rules & Tools: A Preschool Curriculum. Deborah’s knowledge for this particular skill area derived from her many years working in an integrated preschool program. Social Language Rules & Tools: A Preschool Curriculum is a unique program that can be used to present highly interactive lessons to preschoolers. It was designed to be a collaborative approach between SLPs and classroom educators in order to encourage follow-up and carryover for incidental teaching all day long.

Kelly VanDahm, MS, CCC-SLP is the editor of the book Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment. Kelly has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for many years, serving patients of all ages. She has also authored articles, book chapters, learning modules, and textbooks. Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Evaluation and Treatment brings together 14 leading clinicians, the latest research, and interdisciplinary perspectives on pediatric feeding disorders.

Mary Schiavoni, MS, CCC-SLP worked with Therapro’s Karen Conrad Weihrauch and Filomena Connor to create the Sensory Spoon. Mary Schiavoni is the creator of Chewy Tubes, a noted author and Pediatric Feeding Specialist. The Sensory Spoon is a unique tool that focuses on the development of self-feeding with infants as young as 7 months old. Its unique characteristics include a short, textured handle that offers sensory input to the palm for grasping, a natural “stop” that prevents gagging or deep insertion into the mouth, and a flexible, smooth texture.

Therapro is proud to support and promote the work of the many great professionals involved in the diagnosing and treatment of communication disorders, including speech language pathologist and audiologists. We wish you all a very happy Better Hearing and Speech Month!