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Fort Myers Speech Therapist on Cochlear Implants and Speech-Language Development
If your child has or is expected to need cochlear implants, they may also need speech therapy. Consultation with a Fort Myers speech therapist can help parents ascertain whether their child will likely need speech-language therapy and if so, how to begin the process to minimize time spent on waitlists.
What are Cochlear Implants?
Cochlear implants are sophisticated medical devices designed to provide a sense of sound to individuals with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss – especially those who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids. While hearing aids work by amplifying sound, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. As a Fort Myers speech therapist can explain, this in turn allows the brain to perceive sound.
The cochlear implant system has two main components:
- The external part is worn behind the ear. This has a microphone, sound processor, and transmitter.
- The internal part that is surgically placed under the skin and inside the inner ear. This contains a receiver/stimulator and an electrode array.
For children, cochlear implants are typically recommended when doctors diagnose profound hearing loss and both ears. Some conditions that can lead to a cochlear implant recommendation:
- Congenital hearing loss. This is when a child is born with severe-to-profound hearing loss.
- Progressive hearing loss. This is when a child develops significant hearing loss over time.
- Meningitis. This type of infection can result in the hardening of the cochlea in the inner ear. This condition is especially difficult because the implant must be done early, before the cochlea becomes too hard to insert the electrodes.
Kids usually must undergo extensive evaluations with a multidisciplinary team (typically audiologists, otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists, etc.) to determine if they’re a good candidate for cochlear implants. If they are – and particularly if it’s before they have fully developed speech-language skills – they are likely going to need speech-language therapy to keep pace with their peers.
Cochlear Implants & Speech Development
Cochlear implants can be wonderful for a child with severe hearing loss or deficits. However, they’re still likely to need speech-language therapy. They may have varying degrees of difficulty or delays with articulation, phonological processing, and reduced vocabulary.
Fort Myers ABA Therapists Offer 6 Tips for Better Sleep
Sleep can be a struggle for all of us at some point. It’s known to be especially tough for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, and other conditions common among the pediatric patients we regularly treat as Fort Myers ABA therapists. We know how to help parents through it – whether your child has one of these diagnoses or not.
Better sleep starts with a solid strategy. We suggest starting with these six tips.
If you find this isn’t enough, our BCBAs (board-certified behavior analysists) are experts in child behavior. We offer 1:1 parent coaching in the form of behavior consulting. You don’t need ABA therapy to get help with behavior challenges like sleep training, potty training, tantrums, aggression, and more.
Our team of dedicated Fort Myers ABA therapists provide consultation that includes analyzing the why of the behavior and formulating effective, easy-to-implement solutions that are tailored both to your child and your parenting style.
FOCUS offers child behavior consulting and ABA therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Sleep Strategies for Kids, Nov. 8, 2024, By Danielle Pacheco and Dr. Ealena Callender, National Sleep Foundation
More Blog Entries:
ABA Therapy vs. Behavior Consulting, May 3, 2024, Fort Myers Child Behavior Therapy Blog
Types of AAC Our Fort Myers Speech Therapists Utilize
When people hear, “augmentative and alternative communication” (better known as “AAC”), they tend to assume we’re talking about sophisticated communication devices that may be used for children with substantial speech and language difficulties. It does include that sort of intervention, but there are many types of AAC devices – including some that are unaided and don’t require any tech at all.
Our Fort Myers speech therapists work directly with your child to determine the best type of AAC device for their particular needs.
FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication, ASHA
AAC Fort Myers Augmentative & Alternative Communication, FOCUS Therapy
More Blog Entries:
Unlocking Communication: How Fort Myers Speech Therapists Use AAC for Kids, April 12, 2024, FOCUS Fort Myers Speech Therapy AAC Blog
“Heavy Work” Recommended by Fort Myers Occupational Therapists
“Heavy work” can go a long way toward helping kids self-regulate – which also minimizes tantrums and emotional outbursts. Check out some of the “heavy work” activities recommended by our Fort Myers occupational therapists.
Fort Myers Swimming Lessons Can Reduce Drowning Risk for Kids With Disabilities
Children with disabilities are often at higher risk of drowning, particularly in Florida. Fort Myers swimming lessons can go a long way toward reducing that risk.
A few local Fort Myers swimming lessons providers that may be helpful resources for our FOCUS families:
ISR Fort Myers. This is a survival swim course that teaches babies as young as 6 months how to survive for those crucial few minutes if they fall into a pool unsupervised.
Swimtastic Fort Myers. Hosted at a local gym, these Fort Myers swimming lessons include an Adapted Aquatics program that takes into account each child’s physical developmental abilities. Instructors have experience with children with a broad range of conditions, including autism, down syndrome, ADHD, cerebral palsy, sensory integration difficulty, and other physical challenges. They also have a Therapeutic Aquatic Program to help children who have muscular or limb challenges or those who struggle with head control.
Sunsational Swim School. Private swim instructions that can take place at your own pool. Some instructors are specifically trained to provide swim instruction for kids with special needs.
YMCA of South Florida. The YMCA has a year-round Swim Buddies program for children with disabilities ages 4 and older. Swimmers get matched with a qualified “swim buddy” volunteer, who works with them on basic swim safety skills – including getting used to being in the water, drowning prevention, and fundamental swimming techniques.
InstaSwim. This is another at-home, private swimming lesson instruction, which can be tailored specifically to assist the varying needs of children with special needs. Instructors have worked with children who have autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, sensory integration disorder, and physical difficulties.
Florida Swim Company. This provider has swim instructors in both Naples and Fort Myers, who will come to your home or community pool to teach a customized swim class.
Note: This list may not be exhaustive! We hope it gives our FOCUS Families somewhere to start on their search for Fort Myers swimming lessons for their children.
Our ultimate goal as therapists is to ensure nothing is holding these kids back in life. Learning to swim is part of that! So even though we don’t provide swimming lessons directly, we’re happy to give parents helpful information to get them started as they look for the services needed to ensure their child learns the skills necessary to stay safe and thrive.
FOCUS Therapy offers ABA therapy, ADOS testing, speech therapy, and occupational therapy to children in Lee County, Florida.
Additional Resources:
Association Between Swimming Lessons and Drowning in Childhood, 2009, Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Swim and Water Safety, September 2018, Autism Speaks
More Blog Entries:
Water Safety Tips for Florida Kids With Special Needs, June 15, 2024, Fort Myers Occupational Therapy Blog
FOCUS WATER WEEK JUNE 10-13!
Who says therapy has to be dry & boring? Let’s get this summer started!! At FOCUS Therapy in Fort Myers, we’re hosting a fin-tastic few days with Water Week, June 10-13 (Monday-Thursday).
Parents, if you want your child to participate, be sure to:
- Arrive with your child already in their bathing suit, sunscreen already applied.
- Pack a towel & a change of clothes.
We’ll have an inflatable water slide, water balloons, sprinklers, water games, and more!
All kids, all disciplines are welcome to join in the fun. Our speech, occupational, ABA, and physical therapy patients will be working on their therapy goals – from sensory processing and self-regulation to social skills and expressive communication to fine and gross motor skills.
If you have questions, feel free to ask your child’s individual therapist – or call the FOCUS Therapy Fort Myers office at (239) 313-5049. Can’t wait to SEA you there!
FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
Additional Resources:
2 Exciting Ways Water-Based Games Enhance Occupational Therapy Outcomes for Children, April 2, 2024, By Lyka Alcazar, Miss Millennia Magazine
More Blog Entries:
Is Your Child Sensory-Seeking or Sensory-Sensitive? Or Both? May 3, 2024, FOCUS Therapy Fort Myers Blog
Is Your Child Sensory-Seeking or Sensory-Sensitive? Or Both?
Is your child sensory-seeking, sensory-sensitive – or both??
As Fort Myers ABA therapists, we recognize that many behaviors are rooted in sensory processing issues. This is particularly true of kids who are on the autism spectrum.
Understanding your child’s sensory needs help us formulate a daily “sensory diet” – which can often go a long way toward minimizing unexpected/problematic behaviors.
Even if your child doesn’t qualify for full-time, intensive ABA therapy, our child behavior experts provide private behavior consulting to help parents tackle child behavior problems – many of which can be linked to sensory processing difficulties.
FOCUS offers child behavior consulting and ABA therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.
More Blog Entries:
ABA Therapy vs. Behavior Consulting, May 3, 2024, Fort Myers Child Behavior Therapy Blog
Our Fort Myers Speech-Language Therapy Strategies for Kids
Concerned your child’s speech might be delayed? Or just want to give them as big of a speech-language boost as you can? Here are our Fort Myers speech-language therapy strategies for encouraging communication with young children.
ALL kids can benefit when caregivers incorporate these strategies, but if you’re worried your child’s speech-language acquisition isn’t keeping pace with their peers, ask your child’s pediatrician for a referral to a speech therapy for consultation/evaluation.
FOCUS Therapy offers pediatric speech therapy, ABA therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.