First Words: A Parent's Step-by-Step Guide to Helping a Child with Speech and Language Delays gives parents the information they need to allow them to stimulate their child's speech and language. Parents are given actual samples of how children with autism and other language delays respond differently to questions and how their responses can be redirected in order to start building connections. Offenbacher explains terms such as speech and language, typical language delay, PDD-Pervasive Developmental Delay, ASD-Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and ABA-Applied Behavioral Analysis. The book outlines the typical developmental steps of speech and language acquisition, and where parents should begin when starting to help their child. It suggests the types of toys, and experiences that stimulate language, as well as a floor plan to arrange a "work area" and learning center in their home. It provides check lists for them to evaluate their child every step of the way and set meaningful and attainable goals. This book is not meant to replace professional intervention. But it guides parents in becoming a para-speech partner in maximizing the stimulation their child receives so they develop skills for communicating.
Part I: Typical Speech and Language Development and Disorder Introduction: Why Are You Reading This Book? The Book's Goal Becoming ProActive Chapter 1: My Child is Not Speaking Diagnosis Chapter 2: Fussy Babies Five Stories Trust Your Instincts Signs of Autism: The Check List Chapter 3: The Developmental Process Sounds Socialization and Making Sounds Socialization and the Voice Early Sounds Early Communication How Do Babies Discover Sounds? Chapter 4: Speech Language and Mother Tongue- The Communication Process What is Speech? What is Language? What is Mother Tongue? How is Speech and Language Meaningful How do Children Learn this Complex Task? How do They Do It? What is Universal Grammar? Chapter 5: Language Development Through Experience Chapter 6: My Delayed 3 Year Old, Where Do I Begin? Chapter 7: The Stages of Language Acquisition Early Language Acquisition Later Language Acquisition Experience to Language What Kinds of Experiences How Do Children Learn Words? How Does Experience Help Children Learn? Organizing Words into Categories Grammar Rules and Language for Single Words Chapter 8: Two Words Exchanging Ideas Word Combinations and Grammar Chapter 9: Period of Imbalance: Understanding and Speaking Is Your Child Developing Like Jane and Jake? Chapter 10: Learning, Memory, and Attention Early Memory Short Term Memory Rehearsal Attention and Memory ASD and Attention ASD and Memory Biochemical/Neurological Disturbance ASD and Visual Attention Memory ASD and Generalized and Rote Memory Inconsistency with ASD and Memory Math and Memory Chapter 11: Auditory Processing Disorder ASD and Auditory Processing Disorder Perseveration: Unconventional Verbal Behavior Echolalia: Unconventional Verbal Behavior Language Processing Chart Processing Words for Understanding Analysis of the Wh Words Chapter 12: Ways to Speak to your Child with a Processing Disorder Chapter 13: Social Language ASD and Pragmatic Language Pragmatic Language: How it Impacts on High Functioning Children With ASD Why Don't Kids Play With Me Understanding Feelings Chapter 14: Asperger Syndrome When Is Asperger Syndrome Diagnosed? What Happens After 3 Years Old? Perseveration Missing the Cues: The Social Failure Chapter 15: How The Brain Works Theory of Mind TOM Executive Function Disorder EFD Summary Part II: Working With Your Child Introduction Chapter 16: Parent Power: How to Be a Pro Active Parent Observing Your Child's Peers Inclusion Play Pre-School Years Chapter 17: Setting Up the Home Environment The Home Learning Center Your Home Play Learning Center Sample Home Center Diagram Themes for Your Home Play Center Chapter 18: How Toys Contribute to Language Development Building Vocabulary Beyond Toys Chapter 19: How to Design and Use Your Home Play Learning Center Turning a Negative Experience into a Learning Experience Chapter 20: Supplies Chapter 21: Accountability Chapter 22: Personally Preparing for the Challenge The 10 Step Prep Parent Meditation Part III: Sounds to Words: Techniques to Stimulate Speech Language and Socialization Chapter 23: Helping Your Non-Verbal Child Chapter 24: Non Verbal Language 50 Meaningful Non-Verbal Actions Chapter 25: Signing 70 Important Signs Using American Sign Language ASL Checklist for ASL Chapter 26: Stimulating Speech Sounds Child Apraxia of Speech CAS The English Speech Sound Checklist Conducting a Sound Inventory Chapter 27: Sounds that Have Meaning 25 Simple Repetitive Sounds Your Child Should Know Chapter 28: Stimulating a Single Word Vocabulary Category 1: 25 First Toy Words Category 2: 25 First Food Words Category 3: 10 First Words for Drinks Category 4: 30 First Community Worker Words Category 5: 30 First Transportation Words Category 6: 35 First Location/Place Words Category 7: 30 First Body Part Words Category 8: 45 First Clothing Words Category 9: 25 First Sports Words Category 10: 25 First Color and Shape Words Category 11: 25 First Weather and Season Words Category 12: 50 First Time Words Category 13: 50 First Action Words- Verbs Category 14: 24 First Preposition Words Category 15: 40 First Descriptive Words-Adjectives Category 16: 15 First Farm Words Category 17: 15 First Pronoun Words Category 18: 30 First Fruit and Vegetable Words Category 19: 45 First Animal Words Category 20: 25 First Farm and Country Words Category 21: 20 First City Words Category 22: 15 First Entertainment Words Category 23: 20 First School Words Category 24: 15 First Personal Hygiene Words Category 25: 15 First Furniture/Furnishing Words Category 26: 25 First Popular Children's Characters Category 27: 25 First Kitchen/Serving Words Chapter 29: Activity Worksheet for Single Word Development Summary Part IV. Verbatim Samples of Spectrum Language Disorders Introduction Chapter 30: Why Are Verbatim Transcriptions So Important? Chapter 31: Case History: Justin 4.3-4.10 years old Chapter 32: Transcriptions for Justin 32. 1 The Birthday Cake: Justin 4.3 years old 32. 2 The Cook: Justin 4.3 years old 32. 3 The Alligator: Justin 4.3 years old 32. 4 Alligator Eggs: Justin 4.3 years old 32. 5 A Conversation About a Rainy Day: Justin 4.4 years old 32. 6 Going Shopping: Justin 4.5 years old 32. 7 The Dishwasher: Justin 4.5 years old 32.8 The Dishwasher-A Follow-Up Justin 4.10 years old 32.9 The Refrigerator: Justin 4.5 years old 32.10 The Refrigerator-A Follow-Up Justin 4.10 years old Summary Part V. How to Naturally Advance Your Child's Language Development Without Missing Valuable Opportunities Introduction Chapter 33: Why Is This Relevant? Chapter 34: Missed Opportunities Chapter 35: Gullo and Gullo- An Ecological Approach Chapter 36: An Ecological Language Experience Chapter 37: The Picture Time Schedule List of websites
