Speech & Language Development

Infants With Autism Don’t Engage With ‘Baby Talk’

That sing-song speech parents use when talking to their babies is universal, and infants tend to prefer it. So, when a baby doesn’t seem to engage with this melodic “motherese,” or baby talk, it can be an early sign of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Read more ›

How Reading Aloud Can Help You Bond With Your Kids and Make Them Better Readers

We’ve all heard about the benefits of learning to read quietly and independently. A big part of learning at school is all about reading, but it’s not always easy to find time for more reading at home. Read more ›

Why Teletherapy (Still) Works

written by Liza Bennigson, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Eighteen long months ago, as surreal rumors of a shelter-in-place order for the Bay Area began to percolate, CHC immediately transitioned to a remote-first model of care for kids, teens and young adults. Read more ›

Does Mask Wearing Harm Your Child’s Development? Experts Weigh In

For young children, the pandemic comes at a crucial time for developing skills important for empathy, safety and more — a phase that some parents worry will be impaired by mask-wearing. Read more ›

First 5 California [web resource]

First 5 California understands today’s parents face many challenges and tough choices as they raise their kids. First 5 California, also known as the California Children and Families Commission, supports the healthy development of children, from prenatal through age 5, and enriches the lives of their families and communities. Read more ›

New Free Family-Oriented Early-Literacy Apps [downloadable]

Three new early-literacy apps — released for free from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and its Reach Every Reader initiative — are designed for parents and caregivers to use with their children. They’re designed to create fun and rewarding interactions, get families talking, and give children the foundations they need to read, learn, and thrive. Read more ›

Mental Health and Connection Are More Important Than Ever [downloadable]

Children’s Health Council is leading the emotional recovery with learning and mental health services for kids, teens, young adults and families. Our mission-minded experts are committed to transforming lives with courage, connection and compassion. CHC’s areas of excellence include learning differences, ADHD, anxiety and depression and autism. Read more ›

Online Therapy for Babies and Toddlers With Delays Often Works Well — but Funding Isn’t Keeping Up With the Need

In the United States, an estimated 15 percent of children ages 3 to 17 have developmental delays or disabilities; in children’s first years, some of these delays may be evident in late acquisition of skills like crawling, walking and talking. Research shows that early help from experts in the form of speech, physical or occupational therapy and support from pediatric specialists can have profound results for children and often help them meet the same milestones as their peers. Read more ›

Is the Pandemic Contributing to a Speech Delay in Your Child?

As kids hit toddlerhood, making sure they’re on track with major development milestones such as talking can sometimes be difficult to judge.

But when kids hit toddlerhood during a pandemic – when they’ve likely been kept out of group childcare environments, had way more screen time than you would otherwise have liked, and spent a lot of time being spoken to by masked adults – it can be much harder.

Learn how to spot a speech delay in your child and what you can do at home to help. Read more ›

Ten Ways Children With Language Disorders Can Maintain Both Physical Distance and Social Connection During the Coronavirus Pandemic

With social distancing (or more accurately, physical distancing) a new way of life during the COVID-19 pandemic, people of all ages are challenged to find different ways to connect socially. However, for children with language disorders—who have difficulties with social interactions in the best of times—the physical distance mandated to prevent the pandemic’s spread can be especially challenging. Read more ›

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